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Carmel-by-the-Sea · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Carmel-by-the-Sea

City rule: each accessory building or structure is limited to 400 square feet of floor area, with at most 2 per building site. Two accessory structures combined into one are limited to 75% of the primary structure's floor area.

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Key points

  • Accessory size: City rule: each accessory building or structure is limited to 400 square feet of floor area, with at most 2 per building site.
  • Combined structures: Two accessory structures combined into one are limited to 75% of the primary structure's floor area.

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

What Carmel-by-the-Sea's code says

Carmel-by-the-Sea code What Carmel-by-the-Sea's code adds
Size or lot coverage
  • Each accessory building or structure can be at most 400 square feet of floor area.
    Applies: No more than 2 per building site. Guesthouses, accessory dwelling units and combined structures follow their own limits.
    § 17.08.050 · code text
    Accessory buildings and structures shall not exceed 400 square feet in floor area except: (a) as provided for guesthouses, (b) as provided for interior accessory dwelling units and new structure accessory dwelling units, and (c) as provided in subsection (A)(3) of this section.
  • At most 75% of the main building's floor area.
    Applies: When 2 accessory structures are combined into a single structure. It also cannot exceed what 2 separate structures would be allowed.
    § 17.08.050 · code text
    Two accessory structures (such as a garage and a guesthouse) may be combined into a single structure as long as the combined floor area does not exceed what would be allowed for two independent structures and does not exceed 75 percent of the floor area of the primary structure.
No permit needed up to
  • Storage sheds of 120 square feet or less need no building permit.
    Applies: Only sheds with no plumbing or electrical connections.
    § 17.08.050 · code text
    Storage sheds of 120 square feet or less and containing no plumbing or electrical connections shall not require a building permit.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

City rule: each accessory building or structure is limited to 400 square feet of floor area, with at most 2 per building site. Two accessory structures combined into one are limited to 75% of the primary structure's floor area.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Carmel-by-the-Sea property

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

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Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code — full text