Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Burlingame

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

What Burlingame's code says

Burlingame code What Burlingame's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 11 feet. Applies: Small structures under 120 square feet in R-1 and R-2 zones; allowed only in side and rear yards. § 25.31.020 · code text Small structures shall not exceed 11 feet in height and may only be located in the side and rear yards. Roof no more than 10 feet above grade, measured to the highest ridge or top of parapet. Applies: Accessory structures in R-1 and R-2 zones. § 25.31.020 · code text The roof height of the accessory structure shall not exceed 10 feet above grade, as measured to the highest roof ridge or top of parapet. Up to 15 feet: 1 more foot of height for each foot from the adjacent property line. Applies: R-1 and R-2 zones; roof pitched on at least 2 sides, ridge at least 5 feet from a side property line. § 25.31.020 · code text The height may be increased one foot for each foot of separation from an adjacent property line, up to a maximum height of 15 feet, provided that the roof is pitched from ridge to plate on at least two sides, and the ridge is no closer than five feet to a side property line.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 600 square feet each. Applies: Each accessory structure other than an ADU in R-1 and R-2 zones; a permitted ADU is allowed in addition. § 25.31.020 · code text The maximum size for each accessory structure other than an accessory dwelling unit is 600 square feet, in addition to a permitted accessory dwelling unit. No more than 800 square feet for all accessory structures together. Applies: R-1 and R-2 zones, when there is no permitted ADU. § 25.31.020 · code text If there is no permitted accessory dwelling unit, the maximum square footage of all accessory structures shall not exceed 800 square feet. Accessory structures may cover no more than 50% of the rear 30% of the lot. Applies: R-1 and R-2 zones; a permitted ADU is not counted. § 25.31.020 · code text Accessory structures shall not cover more than 50% of the rear 30% of a lot. A permitted accessory dwelling unit shall not be included in this calculation.
Side and rear setback	At least 18 inches from the side and rear lot lines. Applies: Detached accessory structures in the rear 30% of the lot, in R-1 and R-2 zones. § 25.31.020 · code text If located within the rear 30% of the lot, detached accessory structures shall have a minimum side and rear setback of 18 inches.
Distance from the house	At least 4 feet from any other structure on the lot, measured between exterior walls. Applies: Accessory structures in R-1 and R-2 zones; Fire Code separation rules also apply. § 25.31.020 · code text Accessory structures shall be located at least four feet from another structure on the lot, as measured between the exterior walls of the structures, and at a minimum shall meet Fire Code separation requirements.

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

In R-1 and R-2, Burlingame limits accessory structures to a 10-foot roof height, up to 15 with more separation, and 600 square feet each.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Burlingame

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