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Rolling Hills Estates · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Rolling Hills Estates

Accessory buildings are limited to 16 feet and 500 square feet in total; detached garages for required parking are exempt from the size limit.

Ask about sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Rolling Hills Estates See coverage

Key points

  • Accessory buildings: Accessory buildings are limited to 16 feet and 500 square feet in total; detached garages for required parking are exempt from the size limit.

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

What Rolling Hills Estates's code says

Rolling Hills Estates code What Rolling Hills Estates's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 16 feet tall.
    § 17.06.090 · code text
    An accessory building shall be compatible with the main residence and shall be limited to a maximum of sixteen feet in height.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 500 square feet, alone or all together.
    Applies: Accessory buildings in all districts; detached garages for required parking are exempt.
    § 17.06.090 · code text
    In all districts, accessory buildings shall be no greater, either singly or collectively, than five hundred square feet, except as specified below:
  • One 1,000-square-foot, 4-horse stable or barn, in addition to the 500-square-foot limit.
    Applies: Lots in the H overlay district, if coverage, setback, height and compatibility rules are met.
    § 17.06.090 · code text
    shall be permitted a one thousand square foot, four-horse stable and/or barn, in addition to the five hundred square foot size limitation stated in this section
Side and rear setback
  • At least 10 feet from the side property line, with some exceptions.
    § 17.06.190 · code text
    Accessory structures shall be set back ten feet from the side property line with the following exceptions:
  • Can be as close as 3 feet to side property lines.
    Applies: Detached structures, not on street sides, at least 85 feet from the front line and 35 feet from a neighbor's home.
    § 17.06.190 · code text
    a detached accessory structure may extend to within three feet of side property lines when the entire accessory structure is at least eighty-five feet from the front property line, and the structure is at least thirty-five feet from an off-site residence.
  • At least 5 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: Detached garages or accessory structures without living space.
    § 17.06.260 · code text
    A detached garage or accessory structure (except those with a dwelling occupancy) shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the rear property line.
  • At least 25 feet from the nearest part of the alley.
    Applies: Garages or non-living accessory structures next to an alley, with garage doors opening onto it.
    § 17.06.190 · code text
    the garage or accessory building shall be located not less than twenty-five feet from the closest portion of the alley.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Rolling Hills Estates?

Accessory buildings are limited to 16 feet and 500 square feet in total; detached garages for required parking are exempt from the size limit.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Rolling Hills Estates property

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Rolling Hills Estates Municipal Code — full text