Building on your lot in Stanislaus County

Each rule below is marked Stanislaus County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Stanislaus County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Stanislaus County have their own codes and their own pages.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Stanislaus County code What Stanislaus County's code adds
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from any alley and from the side line of any neighboring lot. Applies: Accessory buildings; on a corner lot, not past the front yard required on the neighboring lot. § 21.08.060 · code text The accessory building shall not be located within five feet of any alley or within five feet of the side line of any adjacent lot or in the case of a corner lot to project beyond the front yard required on the adjacent lot.

Swimming pools

Stanislaus County code What Stanislaus County's code adds
Equipment and alarms	Filter and heating systems may extend into a side or rear yard if a clear 2-foot passage remains past them. Applies: Pool filter and heating systems. § 21.08.065 · code text Filter and heating systems for swimming pools may encroach into a side or rear yard provided there remains a net two feet clear adjoining passageway past the equipment.
Setback from property lines	At least 3 feet. Applies: From any side or rear property line. § 21.08.065 · code text Pools shall not be located closer than three feet from any side or rear property line. Not within the required front yard, or the street side yard of a corner lot. § 21.08.065 · code text No pool shall be located closer than the minimum depth required for the front yard or the street side yard of a corner lot.

Other Stanislaus County rules on this

Stanislaus County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Keeping racing homing pigeons (Ch. 21.92) — racing homing pigeons only

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

In unincorporated Stanislaus County, accessory buildings must be at least 5 feet from any alley and from the side line of an adjacent lot. On a corner lot, Stanislaus County does not allow accessory buildings beyond the front yard required on the adjacent lot.

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Stanislaus County?

Stanislaus County's code: Filter and heating systems may extend into a side or rear yard if a clear 2-foot passage remains past them. (Pool filter and heating systems.) (§ 21.08.065); At least 3 feet. (From any side or rear property line.) (§ 21.08.065).

General information, not legal advice.