Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Escalon

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

What Escalon's code says

Escalon code What Escalon's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet high and 1 story. Applies: Accessory buildings in residential zones. § 17.12.010 · code text Are not over 15 feet high and are no more than one story.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 15% of the lot. Applies: The lot area is counted without the required building setbacks. § 17.12.010 · code text Do not occupy more than 15 percent of the lot, to be calculated exclusive of the required building setbacks. Over 450 square feet needs planning commission approval. Applies: Accessory structures in residential zones. § 17.12.010 · code text Any accessory structure in excess of 450 square feet requires the approval of the planning commission.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from any side and 10 feet from any rear property line. Applies: Accessory buildings in residential zones; not in a required front or side yard. § 17.12.010 · code text Are at least five feet from any side and 10 feet from any rear property line, except in the R-3 zone where no setback is required by this subsection when the property line is adjacent to any nonresidential zone or nonresidential use. No setback is required. Applies: R-3 zone, where the property line is next to a nonresidential zone or nonresidential use. § 17.12.010 · code text Are at least five feet from any side and 10 feet from any rear property line, except in the R-3 zone where no setback is required by this subsection when the property line is adjacent to any nonresidential zone or nonresidential use. A 5-foot rear setback is allowed. Applies: An accessory structure used for storage only and not designed for any occupancy. § 17.12.010 · code text An accessory structure to be used for storage only and not designed for any occupancy (such as a gazebo or workshop) may have a five-foot rear setback.
No permit needed up to	Accessory buildings of 120 square feet or less need no building permit. Applies: A building permit is required for accessory buildings larger than 120 square feet. § 17.12.010 · code text Accessory buildings require a building permit if larger than 120 square feet.
Distance from the house	At least 5 feet. Applies: Measured from any other structure on the same lot. § 17.12.010 · code text Are at least five feet from any other structure located on the same lot.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Escalon limits accessory buildings in residential zones to one story and 15 feet; those over 450 square feet need planning commission approval.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Escalon

Key points

What Escalon's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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