Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Pasadena

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

What Pasadena's code says

Pasadena code What Pasadena's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 9 feet high. Applies: Only if the accessory structure is 2 feet from a property line. § 17.50.250 · code text An accessory structure shall not exceed a height of nine feet, but only if located two feet from a property line. No more than 9 feet high. Applies: The top plate of an accessory structure. § 17.50.250 · code text The height of the top plate of an accessory structure shall not exceed nine feet. No more than 15 feet high overall. Applies: Reached only by stepping away from the 2-foot setback within the encroachment plane. A Minor Conditional Use Permit may modify this. § 17.50.250 · code text An accessory structure may raise to, but shall not exceed, an overall height of 15 feet, but only in compliance with Subparagraph c., immediately above.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 600 square feet or 6% of the lot size, whichever is greater. Applies: All accessory structures on the site combined. A roof at least 50% open is not counted. § 17.50.250 · code text The maximum size of all accessory structures on a site shall no exceed an aggregate of 600 square feet or six percent of the lot size, whichever is greater. An additional 200 square feet is allowed. Applies: Projects using the RM-12 standards, if the space is for covered parking. § 17.50.250 · code text However, an additional 200 square feet is permitted if used for covered parking.
Side and rear setback	At least a 4-foot rear setback. Applies: A lot that borders the front 100 feet of a key lot. § 17.50.250 · code text A lot abutting on the front 100 feet of a key lot shall maintain a minimum four-foot rear setback. At least 5 feet from the property line. Applies: Any part of an accessory structure longer than 22 feet that is less than 5 feet from the property line. § 17.50.250 · code text Any portion of the structure that exceeds 22 feet in length and is less than five feet from the property line, shall be required to be set back a minimum of five feet from the property line. At least 5 feet from a property line. Applies: Pools, hot tubs, related equipment and mechanical equipment. § 17.50.250 · code text Pools, hot tubs, and related equipment, and all mechanical equipment shall not be closer than five feet from a property line.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from any other structure on the site. Applies: Accessory structures other than mechanical equipment, hot tubs or swimming pools. Walls and fences do not count. § 17.50.250 · code text An accessory structure, other than mechanical equipment, a hot tub, or a swimming pool, shall maintain a minimum separation of six feet from any other structure (excluding walls and fences) on the site.

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

All accessory structures: at most 600 square feet or 6 percent of the lot, whichever is greater; top plate at most 9 feet.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Pasadena

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What Pasadena's code says

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