Sheds and accessory structures in San Benito County

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

What San Benito County's code says

San Benito County code What San Benito County's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 20 feet and one story. Applies: Detached accessory buildings in RR, R-1 and RM zones. § 25.07.007 · code text No detached accessory building shall exceed one story or 20 feet in height. No more than 10 feet. Applies: Accessory structures under 120 square feet in RR, R-1 and RM zones. § 25.07.007 · code text Accessory structures less than 120 square feet shall be limited to no more than 10 feet in height.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 30% of the required rear yard. Applies: Each single accessory structure in RR, R-1 and RM zones. § 25.07.007 · code text No single accessory structure shall occupy more than 30% of the required rear yard. No more than 40% of the required rear yard in total. Applies: All accessory structures together in RR, R-1 and RM zones. § 25.07.007 · code text The total of all accessory structures shall not exceed 40% of the required rear yard. No more than 1,000 square feet of gross floor area. Applies: Accessory buildings other than ADUs, unless an administrative use permit allows more. § 25.07.007 · code text Except for accessory dwelling units, an accessory building may be no more than 1,000 square feet in gross floor area, unless an administrative use permit is approved to allow a larger size.
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet from the side line and 5 feet from the rear line. Applies: RR, R-1 and RM uses in LRA fire areas; in SRA fire areas only with a 30-foot vegetation clearance easement next door. § 25.07.007 · code text RR, R-1, RM Uses \| Same as for the primary structure \| 3 \| 5 \| 5 At least 10 feet from the side and rear lines. Applies: Animal structures such as barns, stables and riding arenas, in LRA fire areas; in SRA areas only with a 30-foot clearance easement next door. § 25.07.007 · code text Structures for animals* \| Same as for the primary structure \| 10 \| 10 \| 10/25**
Distance from the house	At least 5 feet from the main building. Applies: RR, R-1 and RM uses in LRA fire areas; in SRA fire areas only with a 30-foot vegetation clearance easement next door. § 25.07.007 · code text RR, R-1, RM Uses \| Same as for the primary structure \| 3 \| 5 \| 5 At least 10 feet from any home on the lot and 25 feet from homes on adjacent lots. Applies: Animal structures such as barns, stables, riding arenas or farm outbuildings. § 25.07.007 · code text Ten feet shall be maintained from any dwelling on the subject lot and 25 feet shall be maintained from any dwellings on adjacent lots.

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How big can a shed or accessory building be in San Benito County?

RR, R-1, RM zones: detached accessory buildings limited to 20 feet and 1 story; 1,000 sq ft unless a use permit allows more.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Benito County

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