Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Orange

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

What Orange's code says

Orange code What Orange's code adds
Maximum height	Can be at most 10 feet tall. Applies: The part of an accessory structure or ADU that is inside the side or rear setback areas. § 17.14.160 · code text Building height shall not exceed 10 feet for that portion of the accessory structure or ADU that occurs within the side or rear setback areas, as defined for principal structures.
Size or lot coverage	Can cover at most 40% of the required rear yard. Applies: Non-habitable detached structures on the rear lot line, together with allowed extensions of the main building. § 17.14.160 · code text The accessory structure may abut the rear lot line only if it is not intended for habitation (interior is unfinished, such as a garage, workshop, storage shed, etc.) and the accessory structure and permitted extensions of the primary structure do not cover more than 40% of the required rear yard area. At most 50% of the main building's square footage in total. Applies: All attached or detached accessory structures on a lot combined; 1 ADU of 800 square feet or less is still allowed. § 17.14.160 · code text The total aggregate square footage of all attached or detached accessory structures on a lot shall not exceed 50% of the square footage of the principal structure, provided that one ADU of 800 or fewer square feet shall be allowed in the event the aggregate is exceeded. Up to 450 gross square feet in total. Applies: Habitable accessory structures; larger ones need a conditional use permit. § 17.14.160 · code text Habitable accessory structures greater than 450 gross aggregate square feet are allowed subject to the approval of a conditional use permit by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with Section 17.10.030(E)(1)(d).
Side and rear setback	No interior side setback is required (0 feet). Applies: Detached non-habitable structures in R1, R2, R-3 and R-4 zones; no eave over the line; part in the setback at most 10 feet tall. § 17.14.160 · code text R1-6 through R1-R \| 6 \| 20 \| 0 (c, d, e, f) \| 10 \| 0 (b, c, d, e, f) No rear setback is required (0 feet). Applies: Detached non-habitable structures in R1–R-4 zones covering at most 40% of the rear yard with main-building extensions; corner lots need 5 feet. § 17.14.160 · code text The accessory structure may abut the rear lot line only if it is not intended for habitation (interior is unfinished, such as a garage, workshop, storage shed, etc.) and the accessory structure and permitted extensions of the primary structure do not cover more than 40% of the required rear yard area. At least 5 feet from the rear property line. Applies: Corner or reverse corner lots. § 17.14.160 · code text Also, a minimum five-foot rear yard setback is required for a corner or reverse corner lot. At least 20 feet from the property line. Applies: Detached garages and carports that open onto a street next to the lot. § 17.14.160 · code text In all cases, detached garages and carports which open onto an abutting street shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the property line.

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

Accessory structures together are limited to 50% of the main structure's square footage; any part in a side or rear setback, 10 feet tall.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Orange

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What Orange's code says

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