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Windsor · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Windsor

Windsor limits detached accessory structures to 15 feet and the main home's height; all together, 840 square feet without a Minor Use Permit.

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Key points

  • Accessory structures: Windsor limits detached accessory structures to 15 feet and the main home's height; all together, 840 square feet without a Minor Use Permit.

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

What Windsor's code says

Windsor code What Windsor's code adds
Maximum height
  • Accessory structures may be no more than 15 feet tall.
    Applies: Detached residential accessory structures. They also may not be taller than the main structure.
    § 17.40.200 · code text
    The height of an accessory structure shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet.
Size or lot coverage
  • All residential accessory structures on the parcel may total no more than 840 square feet.
    Applies: Over 840 square feet needs a Minor Use Permit. ADUs, guest houses, pool houses and tiny homes do not count.
    § 17.40.200 · code text
    The maximum square footage of residential accessory structures is limited to eight hundred forty (840) square feet, which may be a single structure of eight hundred forty (840) square feet or multiple structures totaling eight hundred forty (840) square feet.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines.
    Applies: Detached residential accessory structures. Not allowed in the front setback. On corner parcels, the zone's street side setback applies.
    § 17.40.200 · code text
    Accessory structures shall not be located within a required front yard setback, and shall maintain side and rear yard setbacks of at least five (5) feet, except that accessory structures on corner parcels shall maintain the street side setback required by the applicable zoning district.
Distance from the house
  • At least 6 feet between accessory structures, and between an accessory structure and the main home.
    Applies: Detached accessory structures and the main home.
    § 17.40.200 · code text
    A minimum separation of six (6) feet shall be maintained between the accessory structures and an accessory structure and the primary residence.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Windsor limits detached accessory structures to 15 feet and the main home's height; all together, 840 square feet without a Minor Use Permit.

General information, not legal advice.

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

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Windsor Municipal Code — full text