Sheds and accessory structures in Redwood City

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

What Redwood City's code says

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 16 feet in total height. Applies: Applies to accessory buildings in any zoning district. § 36.5 · code text The total height of an accessory building is limited to sixteen (16) feet and the wall height is limited to nine (9) feet for flat or shed roofs adjacent to the side and rear property line. Wall height of no more than 9 feet. Applies: Applies to flat or shed roofs next to the side and rear property line. § 36.5 · code text The total height of an accessory building is limited to sixteen (16) feet and the wall height is limited to nine (9) feet for flat or shed roofs adjacent to the side and rear property line.
Size or lot coverage	All accessory buildings together may cover no more than 50% of the required rear yard. § 36.5 · code text Any combination of accessory buildings shall not cover more than fifty percent (50%) of the required rear yard area. Accessory buildings count toward the zone's maximum lot coverage. § 36.5 · code text Accessory buildings count towards the maximum lot coverage of the underlying zoning district.
Side and rear setback	At least 4 feet from the interior side lot line. Applies: Applies to interior side yard setbacks. § 36.5 · code text For interior side yard setbacks, the accessory building shall provide a minimum side yard setback of four (4) feet. At least 4 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: Applies to the rear yard. § 36.5 · code text An accessory building shall have a minimum rear yard setback of four (4) feet. Buildings under 120 square feet without foundations may sit in the rear setback and required side or rear yards. Applies: Behind the main building's wall; no taller than 7 feet or the setback fence height, whichever is less. § 36.5 · code text Accessory buildings of less than one hundred twenty (120) square feet without foundations may be located in the rear setback, behind the wall of the main building and in a required side or rear yard area provided they do not exceed seven (7) feet in height or the maximum allowed height of a fence in the setback, whichever is less.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from other buildings on the same lot. § 36.5 · code text The accessory building shall be set back at least six (6) feet from other buildings on the same lot.

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Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Redwood City?

Accessory buildings in any zone are limited to 16 feet total height, and together to 50% of the required rear yard.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Redwood City

Key points

What Redwood City's code says

Who this affects

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