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Winters · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Winters

Winters limits accessory structures to 30% of the required rear yard; free-standing ones within R-district side and rear setbacks, 15 feet.

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Key points

  • Accessory structures: Winters limits accessory structures to 30% of the required rear yard; free-standing ones within R-district side and rear setbacks, 15 feet.

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

What Winters's code says

Winters code What Winters's code adds
Maximum height
  • Free-standing accessory structures may be no more than 15 feet tall.
    Applies: R districts, between the 5-foot setback line and the zone's full side and rear setback.
    § 17.56.020 · code text
    A maximum fifteen (15) foot height limit shall apply to any free-standing accessory structure or building located in the area between the five-foot setback line and the standard full side and rear yard setback required of the zone.
Size or lot coverage
  • Accessory structures may cover no more than 30% of a required rear yard.
    Applies: Applies to the required rear yard.
    § 17.56.020 · code text
    No more than thirty (30) percent of a required rear yard may be covered by accessory structures.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines.
    Applies: Garages and carports in required side and rear yards.
    § 17.56.020 · code text
    A minimum five-foot setback shall be required for garages and carports;
  • At least 3 feet from side and rear lot lines.
    Applies: The part of any free-standing accessory structure taller than 8 feet.
    § 17.56.020 · code text
    A minimum three-foot setback shall be required for that portion of an any free-standing accessory building or structure exceeding a height of eight feet;
  • At least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines.
    Applies: The part of any free-standing accessory structure taller than 10 feet.
    § 17.56.020 · code text
    A five-foot setback shall be required for that portion of any free-standing accessory building or structure exceeding a height of ten (10) feet;

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Winters limits accessory structures to 30% of the required rear yard; free-standing ones within R-district side and rear setbacks, 15 feet.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Winters property

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Winters Municipal Code — full text