Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Cypress

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

What Cypress's code says

Cypress code What Cypress's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet high. Applies: Detached accessory structures. Sheds, playhouses and similar items in a required side yard or within 5 feet of the rear line are lower. § 3.17.020 · code text Detached accessory structures shall not exceed a height of 15 feet, except detached tool sheds, playhouses, recreation equipment, and similar facilities located within a required side yard or within five feet of a rear property line, which shall not exceed a height of seven feet from grade. No more than 7 feet above grade. Applies: Detached tool sheds, playhouses, play equipment and similar items in a required side yard or within 5 feet of a rear line. § 3.17.020 · code text Detached accessory structures shall not exceed a height of 15 feet, except detached tool sheds, playhouses, recreation equipment, and similar facilities located within a required side yard or within five feet of a rear property line, which shall not exceed a height of seven feet from grade.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 40% of the required rear yard. Applies: The floor area of a single detached accessory structure. § 3.17.020 · code text The floor area of a single detached accessory structure shall not exceed 40% nor shall the sum of the floor area(s) of the total number of detached accessory structures exceed 50%, of the required rear yard of the parcel in compliance with table 2-3 (Residential Zoning District Development Standards). No more than 50% of the required rear yard. Applies: The total floor area of all detached accessory structures. § 3.17.020 · code text The floor area of a single detached accessory structure shall not exceed 40% nor shall the sum of the floor area(s) of the total number of detached accessory structures exceed 50%, of the required rear yard of the parcel in compliance with table 2-3 (Residential Zoning District Development Standards).
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from side and rear lines. Applies: Air conditioning, pool and spa equipment. § 3.17.020 · code text Air conditioning equipment, pool and spa equipment \| Side, rear \| 5 feet \| 5 feet At least 5 feet from the side line. Applies: Garages, carports, portable covers, canopies or shelters for single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes. § 3.17.020 · code text Garage, carport, portable covers, canopies, or shelters (permanent/temporary) of any type \| Side \| 5 feet (3) \| Same as main structure At least 3 feet from the rear line. Applies: Garages, carports, covers or shelters for single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes, when the entrance does not face a street or alley. § 3.17.020 · code text Garage, carport, portable covers, canopies, or shelters (permanent/temporary) of any type \| Rear \| 3 feet; if entrance facing right-of-way - 20 feet \| Same as main structure At least 20 feet from the rear line. Applies: Garages, carports, covers or shelters for single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes, when the entrance faces a street or alley. § 3.17.020 · code text Garage, carport, portable covers, canopies, or shelters (permanent/temporary) of any type \| Rear \| 3 feet; if entrance facing right-of-way - 20 feet \| Same as main structure At least 5 feet from the side line. Applies: All other accessory structures, such as sheds, gazebos and patio covers, for single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes. § 3.17.020 · code text All other accessory structures, including fire pit, gazebo, greenhouse, outdoor play equipment, patio cover, recreational court, spa, stationary barbeque, storage shed, swimming pool, treehouse, workshop \| Side \| 5 feet \| Same as main structure (3) At least 5 feet from the rear line. Applies: All other accessory structures, such as sheds, gazebos and patio covers, for single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes. § 3.17.020 · code text All other accessory structures, including fire pit, gazebo, greenhouse, outdoor play equipment, patio cover, recreational court, spa, stationary barbeque, storage shed, swimming pool, treehouse, workshop \| Rear \| 5 feet \| Same as main structure
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from the main home and other structures. Applies: Detached accessory structures, except where the building code allows otherwise. § 3.17.020 · code text Detached accessory structures on a single parcel shall be separated from the main structure and other structures by at least six feet, or more, as required, except as allowed by the building code.

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

Cypress limits detached accessory structures to 15 feet; sheds in a required side yard or within 5 feet of the rear line, 7 feet.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Cypress

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