Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Leandro

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

What San Leandro's code says

San Leandro code What San Leandro's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet high. Applies: Accessory structures in the RD, RM and RS districts. Over 12 feet requires a 5-foot setback. § 2.04.348 · code text Greater than 12 feet up to 15 feet No more than 15 feet high. Applies: Accessory buildings in the RO district. § 2.04.380 · code text Accessory buildings may not exceed 15 feet in height.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 500 square feet. Applies: Any single accessory structure in the RD, RM and RS districts, not counting accessory dwelling units. § 2.04.348 · code text No single structure, excluding accessory dwelling units as regulated by Section 2.04.388 Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), shall occupy more than 500 square feet. Counts toward the 50% total lot coverage limit. Applies: RS, RD and RM-3000 districts. § 2.04.348 · code text The coverage of accessory structures on the lot shall be part of the 50 percent total lot coverage allowed in the RS, RD, and RM-3000 Districts. Counts toward the 60% total lot coverage limit. Applies: RM-2500 and RM-2000 districts. § 2.04.348 · code text Accessory structures in the RM-2500 and RM-2000 Districts shall meet the total lot coverage requirement of 60 percent Counts toward the 70% total lot coverage limit. Applies: RM-1800 district. § 2.04.348 · code text accessory structures in the RM-1800 District shall meet the total lot coverage requirement of 70 percent. No more than 40% of the required rear or side yard area in total. Applies: Accessory structures in the RO district. § 2.04.380 · code text Accessory structures shall not occupy more than 40 percent of the required rear or side yard area in the aggregate No more than 30% of the required yard areas. Applies: Each single accessory structure in the RO district. § 2.04.380 · code text and no single structure may occupy more than 30 percent of the required yard areas.
Side and rear setback	0 feet. Applies: RD, RM and RS districts: structures up to 8 feet high and 120 square feet or less that need no building permit. § 2.04.348 · code text 8 feet and 120 square feet or less and not required to obtain a building permit under the City of San Leandro Building Code \| 0 feet At least 3 feet. Applies: Accessory structures over 8 feet and up to 12 feet high in the RD, RM and RS districts. § 2.04.348 · code text Greater than 8 feet up to 12 feet \| 3 feet At least 5 feet. Applies: Accessory structures over 12 feet and up to 15 feet high in the RD, RM and RS districts. § 2.04.348 · code text Greater than 12 feet up to 15 feet \| 5 feet
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from other structures on the lot. Applies: Accessory structures in the RD, RM and RS districts. § 2.04.348 · code text Accessory structures must maintain a six foot separation from other structures on the lot. At least 15 feet from a home. Applies: Accessory buildings in the RO district. § 2.04.380 · code text but shall not be located within 15 feet of a dwelling

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

In the RD, RM and RS Districts, accessory structures are limited to 15 feet and 500 square feet each, excluding accessory dwelling units.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Leandro

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What San Leandro's code says

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