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Dixon · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Dixon

In interior side and rear setbacks, accessory structures are limited to 10 feet at 3 feet from the line, 14 feet at 5 feet.

Key points

  • Accessory structures: In interior side and rear setbacks, accessory structures are limited to 10 feet at 3 feet from the line, 14 feet at 5 feet.

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

What Dixon's code says

Dixon code What Dixon's code adds
Maximum height
  • Only decorative objects up to 8 feet tall and open on all sides.
    Applies: Front yard or street side yard, such as gazebos and trellises.
    § 18.11.020 · code text
    Accessory structures located in the front yard or street side yard shall be limited to decorative objects up to eight (8) feet in height that are open on all sides, such as gazebos and trellises, unless specifically allowed though the approval of a modification pursuant to Chapter 18.26 DMC, Modifications.
  • Accessory structures can be up to 10 feet tall.
    Applies: In required interior side and rear setback areas, at least 3 feet from the property line.
    § 18.11.020 · code text
    Accessory structures up to ten (10) feet in height may be located up to three (3) feet from the interior side or rear property lines.
  • Accessory structures can be up to 14 feet tall.
    Applies: In interior side/rear setbacks, at least 5 feet from the line; cover at most 30% of rear setback or 400 sq ft, whichever is less.
    § 18.11.020 · code text
    Accessory structures up to fourteen (14) feet in height may be located up to five (5) feet from the interior side or rear property lines provided structures cover no more than thirty percent (30%) of the required rear setback area or four hundred (400) square feet, whichever is less.
Size or lot coverage
  • At most 30% of the required rear setback area or 400 square feet, whichever is less.
    Applies: Accessory structures up to 14 feet tall in required interior side and rear setback areas.
    § 18.11.020 · code text
    Accessory structures up to fourteen (14) feet in height may be located up to five (5) feet from the interior side or rear property lines provided structures cover no more than thirty percent (30%) of the required rear setback area or four hundred (400) square feet, whichever is less.
  • At most 30% of the required rear setback area or 400 square feet, whichever is less.
    Applies: Covered parking reached from an alley.
    § 18.11.020 · code text
    Covered parking accessed from an alley may cover thirty percent (30%) of the area of the required rear setback area or four hundred (400) square feet, whichever is less.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 3 feet from interior side and rear property lines.
    Applies: Accessory structures up to 10 feet tall in required interior side and rear setback areas.
    § 18.11.020 · code text
    Accessory structures up to ten (10) feet in height may be located up to three (3) feet from the interior side or rear property lines.
  • At least 5 feet from interior side and rear property lines.
    Applies: Structures up to 14 feet tall in interior side/rear setbacks; together at most 30% of rear setback or 400 sq ft, whichever is less.
    § 18.11.020 · code text
    Accessory structures up to fourteen (14) feet in height may be located up to five (5) feet from the interior side or rear property lines provided structures cover no more than thirty percent (30%) of the required rear setback area or four hundred (400) square feet, whichever is less.
  • No closer to the rear line than the required side setback on the neighboring key lot.
    Applies: Reversed corner lots; distance from the rear property line.
    § 18.11.020 · code text
    On a reversed corner lot, an accessory structure shall be located no closer to the rear property line than the required side setback on the adjoining key lot and no closer to the side property line adjoining the street than the required front setback on the adjoining key lot.
  • No closer to the street side line than the required front setback on the neighboring key lot.
    Applies: Reversed corner lots; distance from the side property line next to the street.
    § 18.11.020 · code text
    On a reversed corner lot, an accessory structure shall be located no closer to the rear property line than the required side setback on the adjoining key lot and no closer to the side property line adjoining the street than the required front setback on the adjoining key lot.
  • Can be as close as 5 feet to the rear property line.
    Applies: Covered car parking where an alley borders the rear property line and access is from the alley.
    § 18.11.020 · code text
    Where an alley abuts a property's rear property line, accessory structures which provide covered parking for automobiles may be located up to five (5) feet from the rear property line if access to the covered parking is from the alley.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

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

In interior side and rear setbacks, accessory structures are limited to 10 feet at 3 feet from the line, 14 feet at 5 feet.

General information, not legal advice.

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