Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Galt

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

What Galt's code says

Galt code What Galt's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Stationary barbecues, fireplaces, bars, fire pits and similar structures. § 18.16.060 · code text \| Stationary barbecue, stationary fire place, stationary bar, fire pit, and similar structures 3 Stationary fireplace chimneys exceeding 6 feet in height but not higher than 10 feet must comply with setbacks for main structure, Table 18.16-2 \| Maximum Height \| 6 feet \| No more than 12 feet tall. Applies: Other accessory structures and landscape features, not buildings, such as gazebos, arbors, patio covers, shade shelters, play equipment and recreational courts. § 18.16.060 · code text \| Other accessory structures and landscape features (excluding buildings) including gazebo, arbor, patio cover, shade shelters (attached or detached and permanent or temporary), outdoor play equipment, and recreational courts 4 (Does not include cargo containers or portable storage containers) \| Maximum Height \| 12 feet \| Water structures may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Pool slides over 6 feet, up to 10 feet, must meet the setbacks for the main structure. § 18.16.060 · code text Water structures may not exceed 6 feet in height.
Size or lot coverage	The floor area of detached accessory buildings counts toward the lot coverage of the whole site. Applies: Applies to detached accessory buildings. § 18.16.060 · code text The floor area of detached accessory buildings shall be included in the calculation for the lot coverage of the entire site.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from side or rear lot lines. Applies: Detached accessory structures under 120 square feet and 8 feet tall, not used for living. § 18.16.060 · code text \| Under 120 square feet and 8 feet in height and not used for human habitation \| Side \| 5 feet \| At least 5 feet from the side lot line. Applies: Detached accessory structures of 120 square feet or more, up to the height of the main structure. § 18.16.060 · code text \| 120 square feet or more and up to height of primary structure \| Side \| 5 feet \| At least 12.5 feet from the street side lot line. Applies: Detached accessory structures of 120 square feet or more, up to the height of the main structure. § 18.16.060 · code text \| 120 square feet or more and up to height of primary structure \| Street Side \| 12.5 feet (20 feet if a garage or carport) \| At least 20 feet from the street side lot line. Applies: Detached garages or carports of 120 square feet or more, up to the height of the main structure. § 18.16.060 · code text \| 120 square feet or more and up to height of primary structure \| Street Side \| 12.5 feet (20 feet if a garage or carport) \| At least 10 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: Detached accessory structures of 120 square feet or more, up to the height of the main structure. § 18.16.060 · code text \| 120 square feet or more and up to height of primary structure \| Rear \| 10 feet \| At least 5 feet from side or rear lot lines. Applies: Air conditioning, pool and spa equipment, only if not visible from the street and screened by a 6-foot solid fence; otherwise 10 feet. § 18.16.060 · code text \| Air conditioning equipment, pool and spa equipment \| Side \| 5 feet 2 \| At least 3 feet from side or rear lot lines. Applies: Other accessory structures and landscape features, not buildings. § 18.16.060 · code text \| Other accessory structures and landscape features (excluding buildings) including gazebo, arbor, patio cover, shade shelters (attached or detached and permanent or temporary), outdoor play equipment, and recreational courts 4 (Does not include cargo containers or portable storage containers) \| Side \| 3 feet 4 \|
Distance from the house	At least 3 feet of clear path, open to the sky, between any structure and a property line or structure. Applies: Gazebos, arbors, patio covers, play equipment and similar features need 6 feet from the house and other accessory structures (shade shelters 3 feet). § 18.16.060 · code text A minimum unobstructed pathway of three (3) feet is required from any structure to a property line and/or another structure, from the lowest point to the sky unobstructed.

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Galt limits gazebos, patio covers and similar features to 12 ft; detached accessory structures of 120 sq ft or more need 10-ft rear setbacks.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Galt

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