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Coachella · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Coachella

City rule: residential accessory structures are limited to 15 feet and one story unless zone standards differ; 17 feet in the S-N zone. City rule: a rear-yard accessory structure in a residential zone is limited to 400 square feet or 30% of the house, whichever is greater.

Key points

  • Accessory height: City rule: residential accessory structures are limited to 15 feet and one story unless zone standards differ; 17 feet in the S-N zone.
  • Accessory size: City rule: a rear-yard accessory structure in a residential zone is limited to 400 square feet or 30% of the house, whichever is greater.

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

What Coachella's code says

Coachella code What Coachella's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 17 feet and one story.
    Applies: Accessory structures in the S-N (Suburban Neighborhood) zone.
    § 17.13.030 · code text
    Building height for accessory structures shall not exceed seventeen (17) feet; not to exceed one story.
  • No more than 15 feet and one story.
    Applies: Accessory structures in residential zones, unless the specific zone standards say otherwise.
    § 17.60.010 · code text
    An accessory structure may be a maximum of fifteen (15) feet in height and no more than one story in height, or as provided by the specific zone standards.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 400 square feet or 30% of the main home's size, whichever is greater.
    Applies: Accessory structures in the rear yard, residential zones.
    § 17.60.010 · code text
    An accessory structure in the rear yard is limited to a maximum size of four hundred (400) square feet or thirty (30) percent of the size of the main dwelling, whichever is greater.
  • No more than 50% of the required rear yard setback area.
    Applies: All accessory structures on a site combined, residential zones.
    § 17.60.010 · code text
    Accessory structures on a site may not cover more than fifty (50) percent of the required rear yard setback area.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from any interior property line.
    Applies: Accessory structures in a required rear yard.
    § 17.60.010 · code text
    An accessory structure may occupy a required rear yard provided it is at least five feet from any interior property line, and a minimum of ten (10) feet from any street property line.
  • At least 10 feet from any street property line.
    Applies: Accessory structures in a required rear yard.
    § 17.60.010 · code text
    An accessory structure may occupy a required rear yard provided it is at least five feet from any interior property line, and a minimum of ten (10) feet from any street property line.
  • At least 10 feet from any corner street line.
    Applies: Carports on corner lots.
    § 17.60.010 · code text
    A detached garage or carport must be a minimum of twenty (20) feet from any street property line if front loading. Side-loaded garages may be twelve (12) feet from the street line. Carports must provide a minimum of ten (10) feet from any corner street line.
Distance from the house
  • At least 5 feet from any other structure.
    Applies: Accessory structures, except side-loaded garages. Measured at right angles from the wall.
    § 17.60.010 · code text
    Except for side loaded garages, the wall planes or sides of an accessory structure must be a minimum of five feet from the sides or wall planes of any other structure, measured at right angles from the wall plane or sides of the accessory structure.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

City rule: residential accessory structures are limited to 15 feet and one story unless zone standards differ; 17 feet in the S-N zone. City rule: a rear-yard accessory structure in a residential zone is limited to 400 square feet or 30% of the house, whichever is greater.

General information, not legal advice.

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