Skip to content

Grass Valley · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Grass Valley

Grass Valley limits detached accessory structures other than garages to 15 ft; they must stand at least 5 ft from the house.

Ask about sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Grass Valley See coverage

Key points

  • Accessory structures: Grass Valley limits detached accessory structures other than garages to 15 ft; they must stand at least 5 ft from the house.

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

What Grass Valley's code says

Grass Valley code What Grass Valley's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 15 feet high.
    Applies: For accessory structures other than detached garages. Not in traditional community development zones, or where a minor use permit allows more height.
    § 17.44.020 · code text
    The height of an accessory structure other than a detached garage shall not exceed fifteen feet, except for parcels located within any zone identified in Chapter 17.21 (traditional community development zones) or except where a greater height is authorized through minor use permit approval.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 500 square feet in total.
    Applies: For all accessory structures together in the required side and rear setbacks.
    § 17.44.020 · code text
    Where permitted, the aggregate coverage of accessory structures in required side and rear setbacks shall not exceed five hundred square feet.
  • Up to 400 square feet for each home.
    Applies: For an accessory greenhouse in the R-E zone.
    § 17.44.020 · code text
    An accessory greenhouse may occupy up to four hundred square feet for each dwelling unit in the R-E zone; and one thousand square feet or five percent of the parcel area, whichever is smaller, in the R-1 zone.
  • Up to 1,000 square feet or 5% of the parcel area, whichever is smaller.
    Applies: For an accessory greenhouse in the R-1 zone.
    § 17.44.020 · code text
    An accessory greenhouse may occupy up to four hundred square feet for each dwelling unit in the R-E zone; and one thousand square feet or five percent of the parcel area, whichever is smaller, in the R-1 zone.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from side and rear lines.
    Applies: For accessory structures. ADUs follow separate rules.
    § 17.44.020 · code text
    An accessory structure shall maintain side and rear setbacks of at least five feet. ADUs shall instead comply with the requirements of Section 17.44.190 (ADUs).
  • 0 feet on one side and at least 8 feet from the other side property line.
    Applies: For a garage, when the neighbor grants a maintenance easement and the director approves.
    § 17.44.020 · code text
    When a maintenance easement is granted by the owner of the adjacent parcel to the approval of the director, a garage may be built to the side property line on that side (i.e., zero lot line development), but shall be located at least eight feet from the other side property line.
  • At least 5 feet from side property lines.
    Applies: For a garage without an approved maintenance easement for building on the lot line.
    § 17.44.020 · code text
    Otherwise, a garage shall be set back a minimum of five feet from side property lines.
  • At least 5 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: For a garage.
    § 17.44.020 · code text
    A garage shall be set back a minimum of five feet from the rear property line.
Distance from the house
  • At least 5 feet.
    Applies: From the main home and from other accessory structures.
    § 17.44.020 · code text
    An accessory structure shall maintain at least a five-foot separation from other accessory structures and the primary dwelling unit.
  • The 5-foot separation from the house does not apply.
    Applies: Patio covers open on at least 3 sides. They may be in the rear setback, no closer than 5 feet to a property line.
    § 17.44.020 · code text
    The five-foot separation from the primary dwelling unit required by Subparagraph E.1.c (separation between structures), above does not apply;

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Grass Valley?

Grass Valley limits detached accessory structures other than garages to 15 ft; they must stand at least 5 ft from the house.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Grass Valley property

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

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Grass Valley

All building on your lot rules in Grass Valley

Fences and walls in Grass Valley

Running a business from home in Grass Valley

Solar panels and EV chargers in Grass Valley

Building on a hillside in Grass Valley

Signs on homes in Grass Valley

Historic homes in Grass Valley

Grass Valley Municipal Code — full text