Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Folsom

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

What Folsom's code says

Folsom code What Folsom's code adds
Maximum height	Accessory buildings may be no more than 15 feet tall. Applies: Historic district only. They may also be no taller than the main building on the lot. § 17.52.480 · code text Accessory buildings shall not exceed fifteen feet in height, as measured using the methodology in Section 17.02.110.
Size or lot coverage	Detached accessory buildings may cover no more than 50% of a required rear yard. Applies: Historic district only. Accessory dwelling units do not count. § 17.52.480 · code text Detached accessory buildings (with the exception of accessory dwelling units) may occupy a maximum of fifty percent of the area of a required rear yard. All accessory buildings together may be no more than 50% of the main building's square footage. Applies: Historic district only. Total of all accessory buildings on the parcel, not counting accessory dwelling units. § 17.52.480 · code text The total square footage of all accessory buildings on a single parcel, excluding residential accessory dwelling units, shall not exceed fifty percent of the total square footage of the primary building on the same parcel.
Side and rear setback	Accessory buildings must be at least 5 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: Historic district only. § 17.52.480 · code text Accessory buildings shall be set back a minimum of twenty feet from the front yard lot line, five feet from the rear yard lot line, five feet from the interior side-yard lot line, ten feet from the street side-yard lot line and five feet from all other buildings on the property. Accessory buildings must be at least 5 feet from the interior side lot line. Applies: Historic district only. § 17.52.480 · code text Accessory buildings shall be set back a minimum of twenty feet from the front yard lot line, five feet from the rear yard lot line, five feet from the interior side-yard lot line, ten feet from the street side-yard lot line and five feet from all other buildings on the property. Accessory buildings must be at least 10 feet from the street side lot line. Applies: Historic district only. § 17.52.480 · code text Accessory buildings shall be set back a minimum of twenty feet from the front yard lot line, five feet from the rear yard lot line, five feet from the interior side-yard lot line, ten feet from the street side-yard lot line and five feet from all other buildings on the property.
Distance from the house	Accessory buildings must be at least 5 feet from all other buildings on the property. Applies: Historic district only. § 17.52.480 · code text Accessory buildings shall be set back a minimum of twenty feet from the front yard lot line, five feet from the rear yard lot line, five feet from the interior side-yard lot line, ten feet from the street side-yard lot line and five feet from all other buildings on the property.

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Frequently asked questions

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

In the historic district, Folsom limits accessory buildings to 15 feet, no taller than the main building, and 50% of the required rear yard.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Folsom

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What Folsom's code says

Who this affects

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