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La Habra · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in La Habra

City code limits accessory buildings in residential zones to 2 stories or 35 feet; 2-story ones must be 5 feet from interior lines.

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Key points

  • Accessory buildings: City code limits accessory buildings in residential zones to 2 stories or 35 feet; 2-story ones must be 5 feet from interior lines.

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

What La Habra's code says

La Habra code What La Habra's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 2 stories or 35 feet tall.
    Applies: Accessory buildings in any residential zone.
    § 18.12.030 · code text
    No accessory buildings in the any residential zones may exceed two stories, or thirty-five feet in height.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 600 square feet.
    Applies: A private garage that is part of the main building in the R-1 and R-2 zones.
    § 18.12.030 · code text
    A private garage in the R-1 and R-2 zones of not to exceed six hundred square feet may be a part of the main building
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from any interior property line.
    Applies: Only 2-story accessory buildings in any residential zone.
    § 18.12.030 · code text
    No accessory buildings in any residential zones, if two stories in height, shall be located nearer than five feet to any interior property line.
  • At least 10 feet from the side street line.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on a corner lot in any residential zone.
    § 18.12.030 · code text
    On a corner lot, no detached accessory buildings in any residential zone shall be located at a distance less than ten feet from the side street line.
  • At least 20 feet from the side street line.
    Applies: Detached garages on a corner lot in any residential zone, when the garage door faces the street.
    § 18.12.030 · code text
    On a corner lot no detached garage in any residential zone shall be located at a distance less than twenty feet from the side street line when the garage door faces the street.
Distance from the house
  • At least 10 feet from the house.
    Applies: A private garage connected to a single-unit home by an open breezeway.
    § 18.12.030 · code text
    provided, that the garage is not closer than ten feet from the main building.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in La Habra?

City code limits accessory buildings in residential zones to 2 stories or 35 feet; 2-story ones must be 5 feet from interior lines.

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how La Habra's sheds, garages and other accessory structures rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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La Habra Municipal Code — full text