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Garden Grove · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Garden Grove

In R-1, Garden Grove limits detached accessory structures to 1 story and 17 ft, 800 sq ft each and 1,000 sq ft combined.

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Key points

  • Accessory structures: In R-1, Garden Grove limits detached accessory structures to 1 story and 17 ft, 800 sq ft each and 1,000 sq ft combined.

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

What Garden Grove's code says

Garden Grove code What Garden Grove's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 1 story and 17 feet tall.
    Applies: Detached accessory structures in the R-1 zone.
    § 9.08.040.030 · code text
    Maximum height of a detached accessory structure shall not exceed one story and 17 feet;
Size or lot coverage
  • Each detached accessory structure may have no more than 800 square feet, measured inside.
    Applies: Single-family lots in the R-1 zone.
    § 9.08.040.030 · code text
    Maximum floor area for any detached accessory structure shall not exceed 800 square feet inside dimension;
  • All detached accessory structures together may have no more than 1,000 square feet of floor area.
    Applies: Single-family lots in the R-1 zone.
    § 9.08.040.030 · code text
    The combined floor area of all detached accessory structures on a lot shall not exceed 1,000 square feet;
  • The house, accessory structures, driveways and uncovered parking may cover no more than 50% of the lot.
    Applies: Single-family (R-1) plan approval.
    § 9.08.040.030 · code text
    The total footprint coverage of the primary structure, any accessory structure(s), driveways and uncovered parking does not exceed 50% of the total lot area.
Distance from the house
  • Detached accessory building walls must be at least 6 feet from the main building or other accessory buildings.
    Applies: Single-family (R-1) lots. Eaves must be at least 4 feet apart. If closer, both buildings must meet main-building setbacks.
    § 9.08.040.030 · code text
    No detached accessory building walls shall be closer than six feet to any main building walls or other accessory building walls on the same lot or building site,

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Garden Grove?

In R-1, Garden Grove limits detached accessory structures to 1 story and 17 ft, 800 sq ft each and 1,000 sq ft combined.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Garden Grove property

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

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Garden Grove Municipal Code — full text