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Arcadia · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Arcadia

In R-M, R-0 and R-1 zones, Arcadia limits accessory structures to one story, 16 feet, and 50% of the main building's ground floor.

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Key points

  • Accessory structures: In R-M, R-0 and R-1 zones, Arcadia limits accessory structures to one story, 16 feet, and 50% of the main building's ground floor.

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

What Arcadia's code says

Arcadia code What Arcadia's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 16 feet tall, and no taller than the house's maximum height.
    Applies: One-story accessory structures in the R-M, R-0 and R-1 zones.
    § 9102.01.060 · code text
    16 ft and cannot exceed the maximum height of dwelling
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 50% of the ground floor area of the house.
    Applies: R-M, R-0 and R-1 zones; the area counts toward the zone's total allowed floor area.
    § 9102.01.060 · code text
    | Maximum Floor Area | 50% of the ground floor area of the main building | 50% of the ground floor area of the main building | 50% of the ground floor area of the main building |
Side and rear setback
  • At least 10 feet from the side lot line.
    Applies: R-M zone, side setback.
    § 9102.01.060 · code text
    | Side | 10 ft | Same as dwelling requirement | Same as dwelling requirement |
  • At least 10 feet from the rear lot line.
    Applies: Rear setback in the R-M, R-0 and R-1 zones; some corner and reverse corner lots have exceptions.
    § 9102.01.060 · code text
    | Rear | 10 ft | 10 ft | 10 ft | For exceptions refer to Subsection 9102.01.040.C (Exceptions to Rear Setbacks on Corner and Reverse Corner Lots in R-0 and R-1 Zones-Attached Single-Story Garage) |
  • At least 20 feet from the street side lot line.
    Applies: R-M zone, street side of a reverse corner lot.
    § 9102.01.060 · code text
    | Reverse Corner (street side) | 20 ft | Same as dwelling requirement | Same as dwelling requirement |
Distance from the house
  • At least 6 feet between structures.
    Applies: R-M, R-0 and R-1 zones.
    § 9102.01.060 · code text
    | Minimum Distance Between Structures | 6 ft | 6 ft | 6 ft |

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

In R-M, R-0 and R-1 zones, Arcadia limits accessory structures to one story, 16 feet, and 50% of the main building's ground floor.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Arcadia property

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

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Arcadia Municipal Code — full text