Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in La Palma

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

What La Palma's code says

La Palma code What La Palma's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 12 feet tall. Applies: Patio covers and gazebos. § 44-102 · code text Patio Covers and gazebos \| 12 feet No more than 8 feet tall. Applies: Storage sheds and similar structures. § 44-102 · code text Storage sheds and similar structures \| 8 feet No more than 12 feet tall. Applies: Workshops. § 44-102 · code text Workshops \| 12 feet No more than 8 feet tall. Applies: Built-in barbecues, gas fireplaces and gas fire pits. § 44-102 · code text Stationary barbecue, gas fireplaces, and gas fire pits \| 8 feet No more than 10 feet tall. Applies: Canopies. § 44-102 · code text Canopies \| 10 feet
Size or lot coverage	No more than 480 square feet in total. Applies: All permit-exempt storage sheds together on a single-family (R-1) lot. § 44-102 · code text The total number of exempt storage sheds allowed on a single family (R-1) lot shall not exceed 480 square feet of total aggregate area. No more than 120 square feet. Applies: A balcony or deck on a single-family home. § 44-102 · code text The maximum size of a balcony or deck shall be 120 feet square feet. No more than 50% of the required rear yard area. Applies: Patio covers. § 44-102 · code text Patio covers shall not cover more than 50 percent of the required rear yard area. No more than 120 square feet. Applies: Storage sheds. § 44-102 · code text Storage sheds shall not exceed 120 square feet in area. No more than 400 square feet. Applies: Workshops; they must also be at least 120 square feet. § 44-102 · code text Workshops shall have a minimum area of 120 square feet and not exceed a maximum area of 400 square feet.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from the interior side lot line. Applies: R-1 and R-3 only: patio covers, gazebos, sheds, barbecues, gas fireplaces and fire pits, canopies; permit-exempt sheds are exempt. § 44-102 · code text Patio covers, gazebos, storage sheds 4, 5 , stationary barbecues, gas fireplaces, gas fire pits, canopies and similar structures (R-1 and R-3 only). \| Interior side yard 1, 2 \| 5 feet At least 3 feet from the side lot line. Applies: Patio covers on lots with only one side yard. § 44-102 · code text On lots with only one side yard, the minimum required side setback for patio covers shall be three feet. At least 3 feet from the side lot line. Applies: Patio covers for condominiums and townhouses. § 44-102 · code text Condominiums and townhouses shall have a minimum side yard setback of three feet for patio covers. At least 5 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: R-1 and R-3 only: patio covers, gazebos, sheds, barbecues, gas fireplaces and fire pits, canopies; permit-exempt sheds are exempt. § 44-102 · code text Patio covers, gazebos, storage sheds 4, 5 , stationary barbecues, gas fireplaces, gas fire pits, canopies and similar structures (R-1 and R-3 only). \| Rear yard \| 5 feet At least 10 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: Workshops in the rear yard. § 44-102 · code text Workshops \| Rear yard \| 10 feet At least 5 feet from the interior side lot line. Applies: Workshops in the interior side yard. § 44-102 · code text Workshops \| Interior side yard \| 5 feet
Distance from the house	At least 10 feet from any part of a home. Applies: Workshops. § 44-102 · code text Workshops shall be located at least ten feet from any portion of a residential structure.

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

City code limits storage sheds to 8 feet and 120 square feet, and workshops to 12 feet and 400 square feet.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in La Palma

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What La Palma's code says

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