El Segundo · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in El Segundo

In the R-1 Zone on lots wider than 25 feet, El Segundo limits detached accessory structures to 2 stories and 1,200 square feet combined.

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Key points

Accessory structures: In the R-1 Zone on lots wider than 25 feet, El Segundo limits detached accessory structures to 2 stories and 1,200 square feet combined.

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

What El Segundo's code says

El Segundo code What El Segundo's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 2 stories. An attic is allowed for storage only. Applies: R-1 zone lots wider than 25 feet; detached accessory buildings that are not accessory dwelling units. § 15-4B-3 · code text Except as permitted in Chapter 15-4E related to accessory dwelling units, detached accessory buildings are limited to two (2) stories, and may include an attic, which may be used for storage purposes only
Size or lot coverage	No more than 1,200 square feet of gross floor area combined per parcel. Applies: All detached accessory structures on a parcel; R-1 zone lots wider than 25 feet. The R-2 zone has the same combined limit. § 15-4B-3 · code text All detached accessory structures may not exceed 1,200 square feet gross floor area in aggregate per parcel;
Side and rear setback	Zero setback is allowed. Applies: R-3 zone; detached accessory structures on the rear property line and on 1 interior side line in the rear 1/3 of the lot. § 15-4D-3 · code text Detached accessory structures are allowed zero setback on the rear property line and on one interior lot side line in the rear one-third of the lot. At least 5 feet from the property line of any abutting lot to the rear. Applies: R-2 or R-3 zone; detached accessory structure on the rear third of a reversed corner lot. It may be built to the interior side line. § 15-4D-3 · code text On the rear third of a reversed corner lot, a detached accessory structure may be built to the interior lot side line, but no building shall be erected closer than five feet to the property line of any abutting lot to the rear. Zero setback is allowed on the rear property line. Applies: R-2 zone; detached accessory structures. Main structures need a rear yard of at least 5 feet. § 15-4C-3 · code text Rear Yard: A minimum of five feet. Detached accessory structures are allowed zero setback on the rear property line. 10% of the lot width, but not less than 3 feet; no more than 6 feet is required. Applies: R-1 zone lots wider than 25 feet; side yard, first floor of detached accessory structures, including garages. § 15-4B-3 · code text Detached accessory structures, including garages, must maintain a minimum side yard setback of 10 percent of the width of the lot, but may not be less than three feet and need not be more than six feet on the first floor. 10% of the lot width plus 2 feet, at least 5 feet; no more than 8 feet is required. Applies: R-1 zone lots wider than 25 feet; side yard, second floor of detached accessory structures, including garages. § 15-4B-3 · code text The second floor of a detached accessory structure, including garages, must maintain a minimum side yard setback of 10 percent of the width of the lot plus an additional setback of two feet, but must not be less than five feet and need not be more than eight feet. At least 2 feet on the first floor and 5 feet on the second floor. Applies: R-1 zone lots wider than 25 feet; side yard of detached accessory structures, including garages, in the rear third of the lot. § 15-4B-3 · code text Detached accessory structures, including garages, located in the rear third of the lot, must maintain a minimum side yard setback of two feet on the first floor and five feet on the second floor. At least 3 feet on the first floor and 5 feet on the second floor. Applies: R-1 zone lots wider than 25 feet; rear yard of detached accessory structures. § 15-4B-3 · code text Detached accessory structures must maintain a minimum rear yard setback of three feet on the first floor and five feet on the second floor. At least 5 feet from the property line of any abutting lot to the rear. Applies: R-1 zone lots wider than 25 feet; single-story detached accessory structure on the rear third of a reversed corner lot. § 15-4B-3 · code text On the rear third of a reversed corner lot a single-story detached accessory structure may be built to the interior lot side line, but no building may be erected closer than five feet to the property line of any abutting lot to the rear.

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Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in El Segundo?

In the R-1 Zone on lots wider than 25 feet, El Segundo limits detached accessory structures to 2 stories and 1,200 square feet combined.

General information, not legal advice.

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El Segundo Municipal Code — full text