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Walnut Creek · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek rear-yard accessory structures: at most 9 feet; total roof area 230 sq ft or 20% of the rear yard, whichever is less.

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Key points

  • Accessory structures: Walnut Creek rear-yard accessory structures: at most 9 feet; total roof area 230 sq ft or 20% of the rear yard, whichever is less.

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

What Walnut Creek's code says

Walnut Creek code What Walnut Creek's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 9 feet, measured from the lower of existing or finished grade to the roof's highest point.
    Applies: For an accessory structure in the required rear yard.
    § 10-2.3.103 · code text
    The accessory structure does not exceed a height of nine feet as measured from the existing or finished grade (whichever is lower), to the highest portion of the roofline.
  • No more than 6 feet or the height of the adjacent fence or wall, whichever is less.
    Applies: For an accessory structure in the required side yard.
    § 10-2.3.103 · code text
    The accessory structure does not exceed six (6) feet in height or the height of the existing adjacent fence or wall, whichever is less.
  • Up to 9 feet.
    Applies: Detached garages in the Almond-Shuey Neighborhood, in the rear 35 feet of the lot, using up to 45 square feet of the side yard.
    § 10-2.3.103 · code text
    In the Almond-Shuey Neighborhood, detached garages up to nine (9) feet in height may occupy up to forty-five (45) square feet of the required side yard, if located within the rear thirty-five (35) feet of the lot, and if there is a clear passageway of three (3) feet in width maintained between the accessory structure (including roof overhang) and the adjoining property line;
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 230 square feet or 20% of the required rear yard, whichever is less.
    Applies: For the total roof area of all accessory structures in the required rear yard.
    § 10-2.3.103 · code text
    The total roof area of all accessory structures within the required rear yard does not occupy more than two hundred thirty (230) square feet or twenty percent (20%) of the required rear yard, whichever is less.
  • Up to 45 square feet of the required side yard.
    Applies: Detached garages up to 9 feet high in the Almond-Shuey Neighborhood, in the rear 35 feet of the lot.
    § 10-2.3.103 · code text
    In the Almond-Shuey Neighborhood, detached garages up to nine (9) feet in height may occupy up to forty-five (45) square feet of the required side yard, if located within the rear thirty-five (35) feet of the lot, and if there is a clear passageway of three (3) feet in width maintained between the accessory structure (including roof overhang) and the adjoining property line;
  • No more than 120 square feet of roof area in each required side yard.
    Applies: For the total roof area of all accessory structures in each required side yard.
    § 10-2.3.103 · code text
    The total roof area of all accessory structures does not occupy more than one hundred twenty (120) square feet of the area contained within each respective required side yard.
Side and rear setback
  • A clear 3-foot passage to any adjacent fence, wall or property line.
    Applies: For accessory structures in the required rear yard, measured from the roof overhang.
    § 10-2.3.103 · code text
    There is a clear passageway of three (3) feet in width between the accessory structure, including roof overhang, and any adjacent fence, wall or property line;
  • A clear 3-foot passage to the adjoining property line.
    Applies: Detached garages in the Almond-Shuey Neighborhood, in the rear 35 feet of the lot and the required side yard, including roof overhang.
    § 10-2.3.103 · code text
    In the Almond-Shuey Neighborhood, detached garages up to nine (9) feet in height may occupy up to forty-five (45) square feet of the required side yard, if located within the rear thirty-five (35) feet of the lot, and if there is a clear passageway of three (3) feet in width maintained between the accessory structure (including roof overhang) and the adjoining property line;
Distance from the house
  • A clear 5-foot passage to the main home.
    Applies: For an accessory structure in the required rear yard.
    § 10-2.3.103 · code text
    There is a clear passageway of five (5) feet in width between the accessory structure exterior and the main dwelling;
  • A clear 3-foot passage to either the main home or the adjacent fence.
    Applies: For an accessory structure in the required side yard.
    § 10-2.3.103 · code text
    There is a clear passageway of three (3) feet in width either between the accessory structure, including roof overhang, and the main dwelling unit, or between the accessory structure and the adjacent fence;

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Walnut Creek?

Walnut Creek rear-yard accessory structures: at most 9 feet; total roof area 230 sq ft or 20% of the rear yard, whichever is less.

General information, not legal advice.

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