Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Cotati

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

What Cotati's code says

Cotati code What Cotati's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 12 feet high. Applies: Accessory structures other than a detached garage. A minor use permit may allow more height. § 17.42.160 · code text The height of an accessory structure other than a detached garage shall not exceed 12 feet, except where a greater height is authorized through minor use permit approval.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 500 square feet in total. Applies: All accessory structures in required side and rear setbacks, on lots with a single-family home, with or without ADUs or JADUs. § 17.42.160 · code text Where permitted, the aggregate coverage of accessory structures in required side and rear setbacks shall not exceed 500 square feet for properties developed with a single family home with or without ADUs or JADUs. Up to 400 square feet for each home. Applies: Accessory greenhouses in the RVL, NL, NM and NU zones. § 17.42.160 · code text An accessory greenhouse may occupy up to 400 square feet for each dwelling unit in the RVL, NL, NM, and NU zoning districts; and 1,000 square feet or 5% of the parcel area, whichever is smaller, in the RR zoning district. Up to 1,000 square feet or 5% of the parcel area, whichever is smaller. Applies: Accessory greenhouses in the RR zone. § 17.42.160 · code text An accessory greenhouse may occupy up to 400 square feet for each dwelling unit in the RVL, NL, NM, and NU zoning districts; and 1,000 square feet or 5% of the parcel area, whichever is smaller, in the RR zoning district.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from side and rear lines. Applies: Detached accessory structures 12 feet tall or less. § 17.42.160 · code text An accessory structure with a height of 12 feet or less shall maintain side and rear setbacks of at least five feet. At least 5 feet from side property lines. Applies: Garages and carports. A zero side setback may be allowed with a neighbor's maintenance easement and 8 feet from the opposite side line. § 17.42.160 · code text A garage or carport shall be set back a minimum of five feet from side property lines, except that the review authority may authorize a zero side setback for a garage abutting a property line where the adjacent property owner has granted a maintenance easement, provided that the garage is located at least eight feet from the opposite side property line, and the maintenance easement is first reviewed and approved by the city. At least 5 feet from the rear property line. Applies: Detached garages or carports that vehicles enter from the front of the lot. § 17.42.160 · code text A detached garage or carport shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the rear property line where vehicles access the garage or carport from the front of the lot, and shall be located a minimum of 25 feet from the opposite side of the alley where accessed from an alley. At least 25 feet from the opposite side of the alley. Applies: Detached garages or carports that vehicles enter from an alley. § 17.42.160 · code text A detached garage or carport shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the rear property line where vehicles access the garage or carport from the front of the lot, and shall be located a minimum of 25 feet from the opposite side of the alley where accessed from an alley. At least 10 feet from any property line. Applies: Patio covers in the required rear setback that are open on at least 3 sides. § 17.42.160 · code text No part of the patio cover shall be closer than 10 feet to a property line.
Distance from the house	At least 5 feet from the main home. Applies: Detached accessory structures. The same separation applies between accessory structures. § 17.42.160 · code text An accessory structure shall maintain at least a five-foot separation from other accessory structures and the primary dwelling unit. The 5-foot separation from the main home does not apply. Applies: Patio covers, attached or detached, that are open on at least 3 sides. § 17.42.160 · code text The five-foot separation from the primary dwelling unit required by subsection E.1.c of this section does not apply;

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

Accessory structures other than detached garages are limited to 12 ft high, unless a minor use permit allows more.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Cotati

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