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Brisbane · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Brisbane

Brisbane limits sheds, gazebos and greenhouses in the rear or interior side setback to 8 feet and 120 square feet.

Key points

  • Small structures: Brisbane limits sheds, gazebos and greenhouses in the rear or interior side setback to 8 feet and 120 square feet.

Each rule below links to the section of the Brisbane Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Brisbane's code says

Brisbane code What Brisbane's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 8 feet.
    Applies: Small accessory buildings and roofed structures, such as gazebos, greenhouses and sheds, in the rear or interior side setback.
    § 17.32.070 · code text
    provided the building or structure, or portion thereof, within the rear setback area does not exceed 8 feet in height and does not have a floor area in excess of 120 square feet.
  • No more than 15 feet above the center of the adjacent street.
    Applies: Garages, carports and parking decks in the front setback on slopes of 15% or more, R-1, R-2, R-3 (decks also R-BA); city engineer approval.
    § 17.32.070 · code text
    Garages, carports and parking decks not more than 15 feet in height above the elevation of the center of the adjacent street in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 Districts and parking decks in the R-BA District may be placed at any location within the front setback area
  • No more than 15 feet above the center of the adjacent street.
    Applies: Garages, carports and parking decks in the rear setback of through lots on slopes of 15% or more; city engineer approval.
    § 17.32.070 · code text
    On through lots, garages, carports and parking decks not more than 15 feet in height above the elevation of the center of the adjacent street may be placed at any location within the rear setback area
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 120 square feet of floor area.
    Applies: Small accessory buildings and roofed structures, such as gazebos, greenhouses and sheds, in the rear or interior side setback.
    § 17.32.070 · code text
    provided the building or structure, or portion thereof, within the rear setback area does not exceed 8 feet in height and does not have a floor area in excess of 120 square feet.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from the rear lot line.
    Applies: Small accessory buildings and roofed structures in the rear setback area.
    § 17.32.070 · code text
    May be placed at any location within the rear setback area which is not less than 5 feet from the rear lot line or 3 feet from the interior side lot line
  • At least 3 feet from the interior side lot line.
    Applies: Small accessory buildings and roofed structures in the rear or interior side setback area.
    § 17.32.070 · code text
    May be placed at any location within the rear setback area which is not less than 5 feet from the rear lot line or 3 feet from the interior side lot line

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Brisbane?

Brisbane limits sheds, gazebos and greenhouses in the rear or interior side setback to 8 feet and 120 square feet.

General information, not legal advice.

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