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Apple Valley · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Apple Valley

Apple Valley limits one-story accessory structures in residential districts to the main structure's height or 16 feet, whichever is lesser.

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Key points

  • Accessory structures: Apple Valley limits one-story accessory structures in residential districts to the main structure's height or 16 feet, whichever is lesser.

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

What Apple Valley's code says

Apple Valley code What Apple Valley's code adds
Maximum height
  • No taller than the main building or 16 feet, whichever is less.
    Applies: One-story accessory structures in single family, equestrian and multi-family residential districts.
    § 9.29.020 · code text
    Accessory structures in the single family residential, equestrian residential, and multi-family residential districts shall not exceed one-hundred percent (100%) of the height of the main structure on site, or sixteen (16) feet, whichever is lesser, if a one story structure
  • No more than 75% of the main building's height.
    Applies: In single family, equestrian and multi-family residential districts, when the main building has 2 or more stories.
    § 9.29.020 · code text
    nor seventy-five (75) percent of the height of the main structure, if that main structure is two or more stories in height.
Size or lot coverage
  • Each accessory structure can be no more than 75% of the main building's total roofed area.
    Applies: Residential lots smaller than 2½ acres.
    § 9.29.020 · code text
    On residential lots less than two and one-half (2½) acres in size, any single accessory structure shall not exceed seventy-five (75) percent of the total area under roof of the primary structure.
  • All accessory structures together can be no more than 100% of the main building's total roofed area.
    Applies: Residential lots smaller than 2½ acres.
    § 9.29.020 · code text
    The total of all accessory structures on a site shall not exceed 100 percent of the total area under roof of the primary structure.
Side and rear setback
  • Can be as close as 5 feet to a side or rear property line.
    Applies: Non-living structures up to 120 square feet and 10 feet tall; not in the required front or street side setback or an easement.
    § 9.29.020 · code text
    Nonhabitable accessory structures not exceeding one hundred twenty (120) square feet and not taller than ten (10) feet may be located to within five (5) feet of a side or rear property line
  • At least 10 feet from a rear property line.
    Applies: Accessory structures larger than 120 square feet or taller than 10 feet.
    § 9.29.020 · code text
    The minimum distance from an accessory structure larger than one hundred twenty (120) square feet or taller than ten (10) feet in height to a side property line shall be equal to the required setbacks in Table 9.28.040-A, of this Code, Site Development Standards, and Table 9.28.040-B, Site Development Standards for the Mountain Vista neighborhood, and a minimum of ten (10) feet from a rear property line.
  • At least 25 feet from any property line.
    Applies: Roofed animal enclosures.
    § 9.29.020 · code text
    Roofed animal enclosures shall not be located within twenty-five (25) feet of any property line in accordance with subsection 9.29.030.F, Setback Requirements, of this Chapter.
  • Can be as close as 5 feet to a side or rear property line.
    Applies: Open animal enclosures with no roof, only if at least 70 feet from any off-site home or other living structure.
    § 9.29.020 · code text
    Open, unroofed animal enclosures may be located within five (5) feet of a side or rear property line or easement line (if any)
  • At least 5 feet from a side or rear property line.
    Applies: Carports and shelters with a rigid frame and roof, not plastic or PVC; not in front or street side setbacks or easements; building permit required.
    § 9.29.022 · code text
    may be located no closer than five (5) feet from either a side or rear property line
  • At least 5 feet from a side or rear property line.
    Applies: Permanent or semi-permanent shelters for RVs or other large vehicles.
    § 9.29.022 · code text
    Permanent or semi-permanent recreational vehicle (RV) or other large vehicle enclosure or shelters may be located no closer than five (5) feet of a side or rear property line

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Apple Valley?

Apple Valley limits one-story accessory structures in residential districts to the main structure's height or 16 feet, whichever is lesser.

General information, not legal advice.

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Apple Valley Municipal Code — full text