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San Gabriel · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Gabriel

Structures under 8 feet and 120 sq ft: 3 feet from interior side or rear lot lines; larger ones, at least 5 feet.

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Key points

  • Accessory setbacks: Structures under 8 feet and 120 sq ft: 3 feet from interior side or rear lot lines; larger ones, at least 5 feet.

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

What San Gabriel's code says

San Gabriel code What San Gabriel's code adds
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 50% of the rear yard area.
    Applies: Attached accessory buildings.
    § 153.126 · code text
    Attached accessory building may be not less than 15 feet from the rear lot line and occupy not more than 50% of the rear yard area.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 3 feet from any interior side or rear lot line.
    Applies: Accessory structures less than 8 feet high and less than 120 square feet.
    § 153.126 · code text
    Accessory structures less than eight feet in height and less than 120 square feet in size shall be set back a minimum of three feet from any interior side or rear lot line.
  • At least 5 feet from interior side and rear lot lines, or the district's setback, whichever is greater.
    Applies: Accessory structures 8 feet or more high, or 120 square feet or more.
    § 153.126 · code text
    Accessory structures eight feet or more in height or 120 square feet or more in size shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any interior side or rear lot line or adhere to the interior side and rear setback requirements for accessory buildings of the applicable zoning district, whichever results in the greater setback.
  • At least 5 feet from any property line or building setback line.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings, which must be on the rear half of the lot.
    § 150.113 · code text
    No detached accessory building shall be on the front half of the lot upon which it is erected or maintained, and it shall not be closer than five feet to any property line or building setback line when such accessory building is on the rear half of such lot.
  • At least 15 feet from the rear lot line.
    Applies: Attached accessory buildings.
    § 153.126 · code text
    Attached accessory building may be not less than 15 feet from the rear lot line and occupy not more than 50% of the rear yard area.
  • At least 20 feet from the side street line.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on corner lots whose rear line abuts the side line of a key lot behind.
    § 153.126 · code text
    On corner lots where the rear line abuts a side line of a key lot to the rear, an accessory building which is not an integral part of the main building shall be not less than 20 feet from the side street line.
  • At least 12 feet from the side street line.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on corner lots whose rear line abuts the rear line of the lot behind.
    § 153.126 · code text
    On corner lots where the rear line abuts the rear line of a lot to the rear, an accessory building which is not an integral part of the main building shall be not less than 12 feet from the side street line.
  • At least 15 feet from the rear line.
    Applies: Attached accessory buildings on corner lots whose rear line abuts the side line of a key lot behind.
    § 153.126 · code text
    On corner lots where the rear line abuts a side line of a key lot to the rear, an accessory building which is an integral part of the main building shall be not less than 15 feet from the rear line.
  • At least 5 feet from the rear lot line.
    Applies: Attached accessory buildings on corner lots whose rear line abuts the rear line of the lot behind.
    § 153.126 · code text
    On corner lots where the rear line abuts the rear line of a lot to the rear, an accessory building which is an integral part of the main building shall be not less than five feet from the rear lot line.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Structures under 8 feet and 120 sq ft: 3 feet from interior side or rear lot lines; larger ones, at least 5 feet.

General information, not legal advice.

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San Gabriel Municipal Code — full text