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Santa Ana · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Santa Ana

On interior lots, accessory buildings up to 15 feet high need a 3-foot setback; taller ones, 5-foot side and 10-foot rear yards.

Ask about sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Santa Ana See coverage

Key points

  • Accessory setbacks: On interior lots, accessory buildings up to 15 feet high need a 3-foot setback; taller ones, 5-foot side and 10-foot rear yards.

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

What Santa Ana's code says

Santa Ana code What Santa Ana's code adds
Side and rear setback
  • At least 3 feet from side and rear lines.
    Applies: A1, RE, R1, R2 and R3 districts; accessory buildings up to 15 feet high on interior lots.
    § 41-606 · code text
    On an interior lot an accessory building up to fifteen (15) feet in height shall have a side and rear yard of not less than three (3) feet
  • At least 5 feet side yard and 10 feet rear yard.
    Applies: A1, RE, R1, R2 and R3 districts; accessory buildings over 15 feet high on interior lots.
    § 41-606 · code text
    an accessory building over fifteen (15) feet in height shall have a side yard of not less than five (5) feet and a rear yard of not less than ten (10) feet
  • At least 12 feet from the alley center line.
    Applies: A1, RE, R1, R2 and R3 districts; garages on lots that back or side onto an alley.
    § 41-606 · code text
    except if the lot rears and/or sides upon an alley, said accessory building, if a garage, shall maintain a distance of not less than twelve (12) feet from the center line of the alley.
  • At least 10 feet from the street side lot line.
    Applies: A1, RE, R1, R2 and R3 districts; corner lots.
    § 41-606 · code text
    On a corner lot an accessory building may be built not less than ten (10) feet to the lot line on the street side of the lot
  • At least 5 feet from that line.
    Applies: A1, RE, R1, R2 and R3 districts; a rear lot line that is also the side lot line of a key lot.
    § 41-606 · code text
    an accessory building shall be not less than five (5) feet from said line.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Santa Ana?

On interior lots, accessory buildings up to 15 feet high need a 3-foot setback; taller ones, 5-foot side and 10-foot rear yards.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Santa Ana property

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

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Santa Ana Municipal Code — full text