Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Milpitas

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

What Milpitas's code says

Milpitas code What Milpitas's code adds
Size or lot coverage	No more than 30% of the required rear setback area in total. Applies: All accessory buildings and structures in the required rear setback, combined. § C.2.020 · code text All accessory buildings and structures in the required rear setback area, as well as building additions as described in Subsection C.2.130.A.2.b (Building additions for R1 and R2 zones), are limited cumulatively to a total area not exceeding 30 percent of the area of the required rear setback area. No more than 1,200 square feet. Applies: Accessory structures on parcels in the Hillside Combining District. § B.22.170 · code text The maximum size of an accessory structure shall not exceed one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet.
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet. Applies: Detached accessory buildings; from any rear lot line or the side lot line of the rear half of an adjacent lot. § C.2.020 · code text Three feet of any rear lot line or side lot line of the rear half of an adjacent lot At least 7 feet. Applies: Detached accessory buildings; from the side lot line of the front half of any adjacent lot. § C.2.020 · code text Seven feet of the side lot line of the front half of any adjacent lot. Eaves no closer than 3 feet. Applies: Eaves of accessory buildings and structures, from any side or rear lot line. § C.2.020 · code text Eaves of accessory buildings and structures shall not project closer than three feet to any side or rear lot line.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from any home on the same lot. Applies: Detached accessory buildings in residential zones; includes homes under construction. § C.2.020 · code text At least six feet from any dwelling existing or under construction on the same lot; At least 14 feet from a residential structure on any adjacent lot. Applies: Detached accessory buildings in the R1 and R2 zones; includes structures under construction. § C.2.020 · code text In the R1 and R2 zones, at least 14 feet from a residential structure existing or under construction on any adjacent lot.

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Frequently asked questions

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

City rule: all accessory structures together may cover at most 30% of the required rear setback area.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Milpitas

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What Milpitas's code says

Who this affects

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