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Menlo Park · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Menlo Park

Menlo Park limits accessory buildings to 14 ft, and all together to 25% of the main building or 700 sq ft, whichever is greater.

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Key points

  • Accessory buildings: Menlo Park limits accessory buildings to 14 ft, and all together to 25% of the main building or 700 sq ft, whichever is greater.

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

What Menlo Park's code says

Menlo Park code What Menlo Park's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 14 feet high overall.
    Applies: Accessory buildings and structures; a daylight plane limit also applies.
    § 16.68.030 · code text
    Overall height—14 feet See also Daylight Plane
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 25% of the main building's floor area on all levels, or 700 square feet, whichever is greater.
    Applies: All accessory buildings and structures combined, counting all levels.
    § 16.68.030 · code text
    The combined square footage of all levels of all accessory buildings and accessory structures shall not exceed 25 percent of the square footage of all levels of the main building or 700 square feet, whichever is greater.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 3 feet.
    Applies: Interior side or rear yard; buildings without living space.
    § 16.68.030 · code text
    Minimum 3 feet; 5 feet if abutting an alley
  • At least 5 feet.
    Applies: Interior side or rear yard; buildings without living space that abut an alley.
    § 16.68.030 · code text
    Minimum 3 feet; 5 feet if abutting an alley
  • The same minimum setback as the main building in that zone.
    Applies: Interior side yard; buildings with living space.
    § 16.68.030 · code text
    Minimum setback established for the main building as established by the zoning district in which it is located.
  • At least 10 feet.
    Applies: Rear yard; buildings with living space. It may be reduced with a use permit and a recorded covenant.
    § 16.68.030 · code text
    Minimum 10 feet; 5 feet if abutting an alley. The minimum setback may be decreased subject to a use permit and recordation of a condition and covenant relative to the use of the building.
  • At least 5 feet.
    Applies: Rear yard; buildings with living space that abut an alley.
    § 16.68.030 · code text
    Minimum 10 feet; 5 feet if abutting an alley. The minimum setback may be decreased subject to a use permit and recordation of a condition and covenant relative to the use of the building.
  • At least 3 feet.
    Applies: Accessory structures; interior side yard on the rear half of the lot, and rear yard.
    § 16.68.030 · code text
    Rear half of lot: minimum 3 feet; 5 feet if abutting an alley
  • At least 5 feet.
    Applies: Accessory structures that abut an alley; interior side yard on the rear half of the lot, and rear yard.
    § 16.68.030 · code text
    Rear half of lot: minimum 3 feet; 5 feet if abutting an alley
  • The same setback as the adjacent lot.
    Applies: Corner side yard; accessory buildings and structures.
    § 16.68.030 · code text
    Setback of adjacent lot
Distance from the house
  • At least 10 feet.
    Applies: From any dwelling on the lot or the adjacent lot, unless attached to a secondary dwelling unit.
    § 16.68.030 · code text
    Minimum 10 feet from any dwelling on lot or adjacent lot, unless attached to a secondary dwelling unit

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Menlo Park?

Menlo Park limits accessory buildings to 14 ft, and all together to 25% of the main building or 700 sq ft, whichever is greater.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Menlo Park property

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

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Menlo Park Municipal Code — full text