Skip to content

San Joaquin County · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Joaquin County

Single-story accessory buildings in a lot's rear third, within 3 feet of the rear or side line, are limited to 18 feet high.

Ask about sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Joaquin County See coverage

Key points

  • Accessory buildings: Single-story accessory buildings in a lot's rear third, within 3 feet of the rear or side line, are limited to 18 feet high.

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

What San Joaquin County's code says

San Joaquin County code What San Joaquin County's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 18 feet high.
    Applies: Single-story accessory buildings in the rear 1/3 of a lot, within 3 feet of the rear or interior side lot line.
    § 9-400.010 · code text
    Does not exceed 18 feet in height;
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 50% of the required setback area.
    Applies: Covered patios, gazebos, pergolas and similar structures open on 3 sides that extend into a required interior side or rear setback.
    § 9-400.010 · code text
    Accessory structures, such as covered patios, gazebos, or pergolas, that are open on three sides, may encroach into a required interior side and rear setback, as long as such encroachment does not exceed 50 percent of the area of the required setback.
Side and rear setback
  • May be placed within 3 feet of the rear or interior side lot line.
    Applies: Single-story buildings in the rear third of the lot, at least 10 feet from dwellings on adjacent lots, up to 18 feet tall, not ADUs.
    § 9-400.010 · code text
    Single-story accessory buildings that are located in the rear one-third of a lot may be located within three feet of the rear or interior side lot line, provided that the single-story accessory building is:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Single-story accessory buildings in a lot's rear third, within 3 feet of the rear or side line, are limited to 18 feet high.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific San Joaquin County property

Ask GoCodebook how San Joaquin County's sheds, garages and other accessory structures rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in San Joaquin County

All building on your lot rules in San Joaquin County

Running a business from home in San Joaquin County

Solar panels and EV chargers in San Joaquin County

Building in a flood zone in San Joaquin County

Noise and construction hours in San Joaquin County

Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) in San Joaquin County

Trash and recycling carts in San Joaquin County

Historic homes in San Joaquin County

San Joaquin County Municipal Code — full text