Sheds and accessory structures in San Diego County

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

What San Diego County's code says

San Diego County code What San Diego County's code adds
Size or lot coverage	A detached accessory building over 1,000 square feet cannot be in a required setback. Applies: Detached accessory buildings allowed under the zoning accessory use rules. § 4842 · code text No detached accessory building authorized by Section 6156.g exceeding 1,000 square feet in area shall be located within a required setback pursuant to Section 4810. Their combined area can be at most 1,000 square feet. Applies: All detached accessory buildings with any part in a required setback. § 4842 · code text The combined area of all detached accessory buildings authorized by Section 6156.g, having any portion within the required setback pursuant to Section 4810, shall not exceed 1,000 square feet.
Side and rear setback	Walls at least 3 feet from interior side and rear lines. Applies: Detached accessory buildings. § 4842 · code text No detached accessory building shall be located with walls closer than 3 feet or eaves closer than 2 feet from interior side or rear property lines. Eaves at least 2 feet from interior side and rear lines. Applies: Detached accessory buildings. § 4842 · code text No detached accessory building shall be located with walls closer than 3 feet or eaves closer than 2 feet from interior side or rear property lines.
Distance from the house	Walls must be at least 6 feet from main building walls and other accessory building walls. Applies: Detached accessory buildings on the same lot; if closer, main-building setbacks apply to both; animal enclosures, coops and low pools have exceptions. § 4841 · code text No detached accessory building walls shall be closer than 6 feet to any main building walls or other accessory building walls on the same lot or building site and no detached accessory building eaves shall be closer than 4 feet to any main building eaves or other accessory building eaves on the same lot or building site. Eaves must be at least 4 feet from main building eaves and other accessory building eaves. Applies: Detached accessory buildings on the same lot; if closer, main-building setbacks apply to both; animal enclosures, coops and low pools have exceptions. § 4841 · code text No detached accessory building walls shall be closer than 6 feet to any main building walls or other accessory building walls on the same lot or building site and no detached accessory building eaves shall be closer than 4 feet to any main building eaves or other accessory building eaves on the same lot or building site.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Detached accessory building walls must be at least 3 feet and eaves 2 feet from interior side and rear lot lines. Detached accessory buildings with any part in a required setback are limited to 1,000 square feet combined.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Diego County

Key points

What San Diego County's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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