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Downey · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Downey

Downey requires detached accessory buildings, including garages, to be at least 5 feet from any other building on the same lot.

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Key points

  • Accessory buildings: Downey requires detached accessory buildings, including garages, to be at least 5 feet from any other building on the same lot.

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

What Downey's code says

Downey code What Downey's code adds
Side and rear setback
  • Not within 5 feet of the front half of a neighboring lot.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings in interior side and rear setback areas; the front half counts up to 50 feet deep.
    § 9534.22 · code text
    No detached accessory building shall be within five feet of the front one-half of an adjacent lot.
  • No closer to an interior side lot line than the main building's required side yard.
    Applies: Residential zones, unless the accessory building is completely behind the main building.
    § 9534.08 · code text
    In any residential zone, accessory buildings or uses shall not be erected or maintained closer to an interior side lot line than the permitted side yard distance required for the main building, unless such accessory building or use is located completely to the rear of the main building.
Distance from the house
  • At least 5 feet from any other building on the same lot.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings, including detached garages.
    § 9534.22 · code text
    No detached accessory building, including detached garages, shall be nearer than five feet to any other building on the same lot.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Downey requires detached accessory buildings, including garages, to be at least 5 feet from any other building on the same lot.

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Downey's sheds, garages and other accessory structures rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Downey Municipal Code — full text