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Turlock · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Turlock

In A and R districts, Turlock limits accessory buildings to 15 feet, and detached ones over 7 feet to 1,000 square feet combined.

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Key points

  • Accessory buildings: In A and R districts, Turlock limits accessory buildings to 15 feet, and detached ones over 7 feet to 1,000 square feet combined.

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

What Turlock's code says

Turlock code What Turlock's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 15 feet overall, measured from the lower of existing or finished grade.
    Applies: Accessory buildings or structures in agricultural (A) and residential (R) districts.
    § 9-2-101 · code text
    The height of an accessory building or structure may not exceed fifteen (15') feet in overall height measured from the existing or finished grade, whichever is lower, to the highest portion of the structure.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 1,000 square feet combined.
    Applies: All detached accessory structures over 7 feet tall, in agricultural (A) and residential (R) districts.
    § 9-2-101 · code text
    The combined maximum square footage of all detached accessory structures exceeding seven (7') feet in height shall not exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet.
  • No more than 25 square feet in total.
    Applies: All entry features allowed in the front yard setback.
    § 9-2-101 · code text
    The total of all entry features does not cover more than twenty-five (25) square feet in area.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from the rear and interior side property lines.
    Applies: Detached accessory structures over 7 feet tall in A and R districts, except the R-E district.
    § 9-2-101 · code text
    1. Rear yard: five (5') feet from the property line. 2. Interior side yard: five (5') feet from the property line.
  • At least 10 feet from the rear and interior side property lines.
    Applies: Detached accessory structures over 7 feet tall in the residential estate (R-E) district.
    § 9-2-101 · code text
    1. Rear yard: ten (10') feet from the property line. 2. Interior side yard: ten (10') feet from the property line.
  • 0 feet, for no more than 1/3 of the parcel width.
    Applies: Rear yard of a detached accessory structure over 7 feet tall next to a 20-foot public alley.
    § 9-2-101 · code text
    When a detached accessory structure taller than seven (7') feet abuts a twenty (20') foot public alley, the rear yard may be reduced to zero (0') feet for a length not to exceed one-third (1/3) of the width of the parcel.
No permit needed up to
  • Under 120 square feet.
    Applies: A building permit is required for accessory buildings and structures of 120 square feet or more.
    § 9-2-101 · code text
    A building permit from the Turlock Building and Safety Division is required for all accessory buildings and structures that are one hundred twenty (120) square feet in size or larger.
Distance from the house
  • At least 6 feet from any home or the main building to count as detached.
    Applies: A closer structure is treated as attached and must meet the main building's standards.
    § 9-2-101 · code text
    An accessory building or structure is defined as "detached" when any portion of the accessory building or structure is located a minimum of six (6') feet from any dwelling unit or the main building on the same lot.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Turlock?

In A and R districts, Turlock limits accessory buildings to 15 feet, and detached ones over 7 feet to 1,000 square feet combined.

General information, not legal advice.

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