Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Davis

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

What Davis's code says

Davis code What Davis's code adds
Maximum height	Accessory structures can be at most 15 feet tall. § 40.26.010 · code text The maximum height for an accessory structure is fifteen feet. Arbors can be at most 10 feet tall. Applies: Arbors. § 40.26.010 · code text Arbors may be located anywhere within the front, rear, or side yard, provided that the height does not exceed ten feet, the width does not exceed ten feet, and the depth does not exceed five feet. Play houses can be at most 12 feet tall. Applies: Only if the wall height, except at gable ends, is at most 7 feet. § 40.26.010 · code text Play houses shall be limited to a maximum height of twelve feet provided the wall height (except at gable ends) is a maximum of seven feet.
Size or lot coverage	At most 30% of the required rear yard's square footage. Applies: Accessory structures and accessory uses, including paved parking area. § 40.26.010 · code text Accessory structures, and any accessory uses (including surfaced area for parking) may not exceed thirty percent of the square footage of the required rear yard. Lot coverage can be at most 50%. Applies: Accessory structures combined with the main building. § 40.26.010 · code text In combination with the primary structure, accessory structures may exceed the otherwise applicable maximum lot coverage, up to a maximum of fifty percent. At most 25% of the main building's gross square footage. Applies: Non-habitable accessory structures. § 40.26.010 · code text The size of a non-habitable accessory structure shall not exceed twenty-five percent of the gross square footage of the primary structure (including any attached facilities such as a garage). At most 50% of the main building's gross square footage. Applies: Accessory structures approved with a conditional use permit, except garages or carports as noted in the code. § 40.26.010 · code text Under no circumstances, except garages or carports as noted above, may the size exceed fifty percent of the gross square footage of the primary structure. The 25% size limit does not apply to these structures. Applies: Attached and detached patio covers, sunshades, trellises, breezeways and similar structures open on the sides except for roof supports. § 40.26.010 · code text Such structures shall not be subject to the twenty-five percent size limitation of the gross square footage of the primary dwelling.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from the rear property line. Applies: Accessory structures in general; rear yard. § 40.26.010 · code text (B) Rear yard: five feet (zero feet if rear yard adjoins an alley); No rear setback is required (0 feet). Applies: When the rear yard is next to an alley. § 40.26.010 · code text (B) Rear yard: five feet (zero feet if rear yard adjoins an alley); At least 5 feet from the interior side property line. Applies: Interior side yard. § 40.26.010 · code text (C) Interior side: five feet (zero feet if interior side yard adjoins an alley); No interior side setback is required (0 feet). Applies: When the interior side yard is next to an alley. § 40.26.010 · code text (C) Interior side: five feet (zero feet if interior side yard adjoins an alley); At least 5 feet from side and rear property lines. Applies: Detached garages and carports in the rear half of a lot in R-1 and R-2 zones, unless the zone says otherwise. § 40.26.010 · code text Detached garages and carports in R-1 and R-2 zoning districts may be located in the rear half of a lot with a minimum setback of five feet to the side and rear unless otherwise specified by the zoning district in which the property is located. At least 5 feet from the rear property line. Applies: Play houses of any size that stick up above the fence. § 40.26.010 · code text Play houses, of any size, that project above fence height shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the rear and three feet from the side property lines. At least 3 feet from the side property lines. Applies: Play houses of any size that stick up above the fence. § 40.26.010 · code text Play houses, of any size, that project above fence height shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the rear and three feet from the side property lines.
Distance from the house	No minimum distance from the house is required. Applies: Detached patio covers or trellises, unless the building code requires one. § 40.26.010 · code text Where a detached patio cover or trellis is constructed, no minimum separation from the primary dwelling shall be required unless otherwise required by the building code.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Accessory structures are at most 15 feet tall and cover at most 30% of the required rear yard, paved parking included.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Davis

Key points

What Davis's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Davis property

More on building on your lot in Davis