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Gilroy · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Gilroy

Gilroy limits residential accessory structures to 1 story and 12 ft, or 7 ft within 3 ft of a side or rear property line.

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Key points

  • Accessory structures: Gilroy limits residential accessory structures to 1 story and 12 ft, or 7 ft within 3 ft of a side or rear property line.

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

What Gilroy's code says

Gilroy code What Gilroy's code adds
Maximum height
  • Accessory structures may be no more than 12 feet tall and 1 story.
    Applies: Residential zones. Taller or two-story structures need planning commission architectural and site review.
    § 30.39.30 · code text
    Accessory structures shall be limited to twelve (12) feet in height and one (1) story.
  • Accessory structures may be no more than 7 feet tall.
    Applies: Within 3 feet of a side or rear property line. They must also prevent water runoff onto neighboring properties.
    § 30.39.30 · code text
    No accessory structure shall be located within three (3) feet of any side or rear property line unless limited to seven (7) feet in height and incorporating any necessary measures to prevent water runoff onto adjacent properties.
Size or lot coverage
  • Accessory structures may cover no more than 30% of the lot area.
    § 30.39.30 · code text
    Accessory structures shall not occupy more than thirty percent (30%) of the lot area; nor shall accessory structures plus the main buildings on any site occupy more than the maximum lot coverage, if any, as specified for the district in which the lot is located.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 3 feet from side and rear property lines.
    Applies: Residential zones. Structures no taller than 7 feet, with runoff measures, may be closer.
    § 30.39.30 · code text
    No accessory structure shall be located within three (3) feet of any side or rear property line unless limited to seven (7) feet in height and incorporating any necessary measures to prevent water runoff onto adjacent properties.
Distance from the house
  • Accessory structures closer than 5 feet to a main building must meet all main-building setbacks.
    Applies: Applies to accessory structures closer than 5 feet to a main building.
    § 30.39.30 · code text
    Accessory structures located closer than five (5) feet to any main building shall comply with all setback requirements for the main building as specified by the zoning district in which the lot is located.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Gilroy limits residential accessory structures to 1 story and 12 ft, or 7 ft within 3 ft of a side or rear property line.

General information, not legal advice.

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Gilroy Municipal Code — full text