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Berkeley · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Berkeley

Berkeley limits accessory buildings to an average 10 feet within 4 feet of a lot line, 12 feet up to 10, 24 beyond.

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Key points

  • Accessory buildings: Berkeley limits accessory buildings to an average 10 feet within 4 feet of a lot line, 12 feet up to 10, 24 beyond.

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

What Berkeley's code says

Berkeley code What Berkeley's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 10 feet average height.
    Applies: Accessory buildings or enclosed structures less than 4 feet from a lot line in a residential district.
    § 23.304.060 · code text
    Less than 4 ft. from lot line | 10 ft.
  • No more than 12 feet average height.
    Applies: Accessory buildings or enclosed structures 4 feet to less than 10 feet from a lot line in a residential district.
    § 23.304.060 · code text
    4 ft. to less than 10 ft. from lot line | 12 ft.
  • No more than 24 feet average height.
    Applies: Accessory buildings or enclosed structures 10 feet or more from a lot line in a residential district.
    § 23.304.060 · code text
    10 ft. or more from lot line | 24 ft.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 24 feet long.
    Applies: Building walls generally parallel to a side lot line, in a residential district.
    § 23.304.060 · code text
    Building Length [1] | 24 ft.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 4 feet from the interior side lot line.
    Applies: Buildings or structures within 75 feet of the front lot line, in a residential district.
    § 23.304.060 · code text
    Interior Side | 4 ft. for building/structures within 75 feet of front lot line; as required by Berkeley Building Code for buildings/structures 75 feet or more from front lot line
  • As required by the Berkeley Building Code.
    Applies: Interior side setback for buildings or structures 75 feet or more from the front lot line, in a residential district.
    § 23.304.060 · code text
    Interior Side | 4 ft. for building/structures within 75 feet of front lot line; as required by Berkeley Building Code for buildings/structures 75 feet or more from front lot line
  • At least 5 feet from the edge of an alley.
    Applies: Accessory buildings in a residential district.
    § 23.304.060 · code text
    Edge of Alley | 5 ft.
Distance from the house
  • If attached or within 3 feet of the main building, it counts as part of the main building for setbacks.
    Applies: Accessory buildings or enclosed accessory structures, other than underground structures.
    § 23.304.060 · code text
    An accessory building or enclosed accessory structure, other than a subterranean structure, that is attached to or within 3 feet of a wall of a main building, is considered a part of the main building for the purposes of setback requirements.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Berkeley limits accessory buildings to an average 10 feet within 4 feet of a lot line, 12 feet up to 10, 24 beyond.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Berkeley property

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

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Berkeley Zoning Code — full text