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Chico · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Chico

Accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, or 25 feet with a use permit; a detached garage, to 700 square feet per unit.

Key points

  • Accessory structures: Accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, or 25 feet with a use permit; a detached garage, to 700 square feet per unit.

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

What Chico's code says

Chico code What Chico's code adds
Maximum height
  • At most 15 feet tall.
    Applies: For a gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed, workshop or recreation room.
    § 19.76.020 · code text
    Gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed, workshop, recreation room | Side Street side Rear | 3 ft. 10 ft. or as required for main structure. 5 ft.; 0 ft. for structures adjacent to an alley. | 15 ft. 25 ft. with use permit approval
  • Up to 25 feet tall with use permit approval.
    Applies: For a gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed, workshop or recreation room.
    § 19.76.020 · code text
    Gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed, workshop, recreation room | Side Street side Rear | 3 ft. 10 ft. or as required for main structure. 5 ft.; 0 ft. for structures adjacent to an alley. | 15 ft. 25 ft. with use permit approval
  • At most 15 feet tall.
    Applies: For a garage or carport.
    § 19.76.020 · code text
    Garage or carport | Front Side Street side Rear | 20 ft. (3) 4 ft. 10 ft. or as required for main structure. 5 ft. (5) | 15 ft.; 25 ft. with use permit approval; 25 ft. for garages with a second-floor dwelling unit;
  • Up to 25 feet tall with use permit approval.
    Applies: For a garage or carport.
    § 19.76.020 · code text
    Garage or carport | Front Side Street side Rear | 20 ft. (3) 4 ft. 10 ft. or as required for main structure. 5 ft. (5) | 15 ft.; 25 ft. with use permit approval; 25 ft. for garages with a second-floor dwelling unit;
Size or lot coverage
  • At most 25% of the size of the main building.
    Applies: For a gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed, workshop or recreation room.
    § 19.76.020 · code text
    25% of the size of the main structure. (4)
  • At most 700 square feet per dwelling unit, including any workshop or storage space.
    Applies: For a detached garage or carport. A larger area needs an administrative use permit.
    § 19.76.020 · code text
    Garage or carport | Front Side Street side Rear | 20 ft. (3) 4 ft. 10 ft. or as required for main structure. 5 ft. (5) | 15 ft.; 25 ft. with use permit approval; 25 ft. for garages with a second-floor dwelling unit; | 700 sq. ft.
Side and rear setback
  • Side setback of at least 3 feet.
    Applies: For a gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed, workshop or recreation room.
    § 19.76.020 · code text
    Gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed, workshop, recreation room | Side Street side Rear | 3 ft. 10 ft. or as required for main structure. 5 ft.; 0 ft. for structures adjacent to an alley.
  • Street-side setback of 10 feet, or as required for the main building.
    Applies: For a gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed, workshop or recreation room.
    § 19.76.020 · code text
    Gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed, workshop, recreation room | Side Street side Rear | 3 ft. 10 ft. or as required for main structure. 5 ft.; 0 ft. for structures adjacent to an alley.
  • Rear setback of at least 5 feet.
    Applies: For a gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed, workshop or recreation room.
    § 19.76.020 · code text
    Gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed, workshop, recreation room | Side Street side Rear | 3 ft. 10 ft. or as required for main structure. 5 ft.; 0 ft. for structures adjacent to an alley.
  • No rear setback (0 feet) is required.
    Applies: For single-family homes: a gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, shed, workshop or recreation room next to an alley.
    § 19.76.020 · code text
    Gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed, workshop, recreation room | Side Street side Rear | 3 ft. 10 ft. or as required for main structure. 5 ft.; 0 ft. for structures adjacent to an alley.
  • Side setback of at least 4 feet.
    Applies: For a garage or carport.
    § 19.76.020 · code text
    Garage or carport | Front Side Street side Rear | 20 ft. (3) 4 ft. 10 ft. or as required for main structure. 5 ft. (5)
  • Street-side setback of 10 feet, or as required for the main building.
    Applies: For a garage or carport.
    § 19.76.020 · code text
    Garage or carport | Front Side Street side Rear | 20 ft. (3) 4 ft. 10 ft. or as required for main structure. 5 ft. (5)
  • Rear setback of at least 5 feet.
    Applies: For a garage or carport.
    § 19.76.020 · code text
    Garage or carport | Front Side Street side Rear | 20 ft. (3) 4 ft. 10 ft. or as required for main structure. 5 ft. (5)

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

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

Accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, or 25 feet with a use permit; a detached garage, to 700 square feet per unit.

General information, not legal advice.

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