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Bell Gardens · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Bell Gardens

Bell Gardens limits all accessory structures combined to 45% of the required rear yard area.

Key points

  • Accessory structures: Bell Gardens limits all accessory structures combined to 45% of the required rear yard area.

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

What Bell Gardens's code says

Bell Gardens code What Bell Gardens's code adds
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 45% of the required rear yard area.
    Applies: All accessory structures in the required rear yard area combined.
    § 9.46.040 · code text
    All combined structures do not cover more than 45 percent of the required rear yard area.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from the lot line, in a required rear or interior side yard.
    Applies: Structures over 120 square feet and over 6 feet high in required yards. On lots over 100 feet deep, at least 75 feet from front.
    § 9.46.040 · code text
    Accessory structures greater than 120 square feet in area and more than six feet in height may be located within a required rear yard or interior side yard, but not less than five feet, provided such buildings are located:
  • May be placed up to the rear property line.
    Applies: Structures less than 120 square feet and less than 6 feet high.
    § 9.46.040 · code text
    Accessory structures less than 120 square feet in area and less than six feet in height may be located up to the rear property line regardless of the distance from the front property line as long as all combined structures do not cover more than 45 percent of the required rear yard area.
  • At least 20 feet from the center line of the alley.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings with an opening more than 6 feet wide that faces an existing or proposed alley.
    § 9.46.040 · code text
    Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a detached accessory building having an opening more than six feet wide facing an existing or proposed alley shall be located not less than 20 feet from the center line of said alley.
  • 4 feet between the accessory building and the side property line.
    Applies: When a utility pole is on any property line, to give access to the pole.
    § 9.46.040 · code text
    Whenever a utility pole is situated on any property line, a distance of four feet shall be maintained between the accessory building and the side property line, providing access to said utility pole.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Bell Gardens?

Bell Gardens limits all accessory structures combined to 45% of the required rear yard area.

General information, not legal advice.

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