Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Pablo

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

What San Pablo's code says

San Pablo code What San Pablo's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 12 feet (1 story). Applies: Closed-roof structures such as sheds, pool houses, detached garages and gazebos. Between 12 and 16 feet needs a conditional use permit. § 17.42.040 · code text Closed-Roof Structure (including but not limited to sheds, pool houses, detached garages, accessory dwelling units, gazebos, etc.) \| Same as primary structure \| 3 feet; increase to 5 feet for high-density residential \| 3 feet rear; 5 feet alley \| 6 feet \| 12 feet (one story) 2 \| Located on rear half of lot No more than 12 feet high. Applies: Open-roof structures. § 17.42.040 · code text Open-Roof Structure \| Same as primary structure \| 3 feet \| 3 feet \| 6 feet \| 12 feet \| Located on rear half of lot No more than 12 feet high. Applies: Carports. § 17.42.040 · code text Carports 7 \| Same as primary structure \| 5 feet \| 5 feet \| 6 feet \| 12 feet \| Located on rear half of lot and meets setbacks (see Section 17.54.020(E))
Size or lot coverage	No more than 45% of the net lot area. Applies: Main and accessory structures combined. § 17.42.040 · code text Maximum aggregate lot coverage by primary and accessory structures is not to exceed forty-five percent of the net lot area. No more than 50% of the main building's floor area. Applies: Total floor area of all accessory buildings, unless an approved use permit allows more. § 17.42.040 · code text The total floor area of all accessory buildings shall not exceed fifty percent of the floor area of the main building, except as provided by an approved use permit. No larger than 600 square feet. Applies: One-story detached garages or storage buildings below base flood elevation, in special flood hazard areas other than coastal high hazard areas. § 15.28.110 · code text Are one story and not larger than six hundred square feet in area when located in special flood hazard areas other than coastal high hazard areas. No larger than 120 square feet. Applies: Detached garages or storage buildings below base flood elevation, in coastal high hazard areas (Zone V/VE). § 15.28.110 · code text Are not larger than one hundred twenty square feet in area when located in coastal high hazard areas (Zone V/VE).
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet from the interior side and rear, and 5 feet from an alley. Applies: Closed-roof structures, including sheds and detached garages. § 17.42.040 · code text Closed-Roof Structure (including but not limited to sheds, pool houses, detached garages, accessory dwelling units, gazebos, etc.) \| Same as primary structure \| 3 feet; increase to 5 feet for high-density residential \| 3 feet rear; 5 feet alley \| 6 feet \| 12 feet (one story) 2 \| Located on rear half of lot At least 5 feet from the interior side and 3 feet from the rear (5 feet on an alley). Applies: Closed-roof structures in high-density residential areas. § 17.42.040 · code text Closed-Roof Structure (including but not limited to sheds, pool houses, detached garages, accessory dwelling units, gazebos, etc.) \| Same as primary structure \| 3 feet; increase to 5 feet for high-density residential \| 3 feet rear; 5 feet alley \| 6 feet \| 12 feet (one story) 2 \| Located on rear half of lot At least 3 feet from the interior side and rear. Applies: Open-roof structures. § 17.42.040 · code text Open-Roof Structure \| Same as primary structure \| 3 feet \| 3 feet \| 6 feet \| 12 feet \| Located on rear half of lot At least 5 feet from the interior side and rear. Applies: Pools and spas, measured at the water's edge. All mechanical equipment must be behind the setback. § 17.42.040 · code text Pool/Spa 3, 4, 5, 6 \| Same as primary structure \| 5 feet 8 \| 5 feet 8 \| 6 feet \| 2 feet \| Located on rear half of lot At least 5 feet from the side and rear. Applies: Carports. § 17.42.040 · code text Carports 7 \| Same as primary structure \| 5 feet \| 5 feet \| 6 feet \| 12 feet \| Located on rear half of lot and meets setbacks (see Section 17.54.020(E))

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

Sheds, pool houses and detached garages are limited to 12 feet and 1 story; 12 to 16 feet needs a conditional use permit.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Pablo

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What San Pablo's code says

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