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Ceres · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Ceres

In the R-1 zone, accessory structures are limited to one story or 15 feet, whichever is less.

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Key points

  • Accessory structures: In the R-1 zone, accessory structures are limited to one story or 15 feet, whichever is less.

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

What Ceres's code says

Ceres code What Ceres's code adds
Maximum height
  • At most 1 story or 15 feet tall, whichever is less.
    Applies: In the R-1 zone.
    § 18.08.060 · code text
    No accessory building erected shall have a height greater than one story or 15 feet, whichever is less.
Size or lot coverage
  • An extra 10% of lot coverage is allowed for accessory structures.
    Applies: On single-family lots in the R-1 zone when the house footprint has reached the 40% coverage maximum.
    § 18.08.060 · code text
    Additional ten percent allowable lot coverage is provided for accessory structures proposed on single-family lots when the dwelling footprint has reached the 40 percent maximum.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from the interior side line.
    Applies: For detached accessory structures in the rear half of an R-1 lot, unless built with fire-resistive walls.
    § 18.08.060 · code text
    Detached accessory structures located in the rear half of the lot shall have a minimum interior five-foot side yard setback requirement, unless constructed with appropriate fire-resistive walls as required by the California Building Code.
  • At least 5 feet from the rear line.
    Applies: For detached accessory structures in the R-1 zone, unless built with fire-resistive walls as the building code requires.
    § 18.08.060 · code text
    Detached accessory structures shall have a minimum rear yard setback requirement of five feet, unless constructed with appropriate fire restrictive walls as required by the California Building Code.
  • At least 5 feet setback.
    Applies: For a garage entered from an alley in the R-1 zone.
    § 18.08.060 · code text
    A minimum setback of five feet shall be required for a garage that is accessed from an alley.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

In the R-1 zone, accessory structures are limited to one story or 15 feet, whichever is less.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Ceres property

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Ceres Municipal Code — full text