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Half Moon Bay · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Half Moon Bay

In Half Moon Bay's rear yard setback, detached accessory structures are limited to 8 ft and 250 sq ft, 5 ft from lot lines. Larger Half Moon Bay accessory structures, over 250 sq ft and 12 ft, need 10-ft rear and 5-ft side setbacks.

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Key points

  • Rear yard sheds: In Half Moon Bay's rear yard setback, detached accessory structures are limited to 8 ft and 250 sq ft, 5 ft from lot lines.
  • Larger structures: Larger Half Moon Bay accessory structures, over 250 sq ft and 12 ft, need 10-ft rear and 5-ft side setbacks.

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

What Half Moon Bay's code says

Half Moon Bay code What Half Moon Bay's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 8 feet in overall height.
    Applies: For detached accessory structures of 250 square feet or less placed in the required rear yard setback.
    § 18.06.050 · code text
    Detached accessory structures not exceeding two hundred fifty square feet in floor area and not exceeding eight feet in overall height may be located within the required rear yard setback of a site but shall be no closer than five feet to the rear property line or five feet to the side property line.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 250 square feet of floor area.
    Applies: For detached accessory structures no more than 8 feet high placed in the required rear yard setback.
    § 18.06.050 · code text
    Detached accessory structures not exceeding two hundred fifty square feet in floor area and not exceeding eight feet in overall height may be located within the required rear yard setback of a site but shall be no closer than five feet to the rear property line or five feet to the side property line.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from the rear and side property lines.
    Applies: For detached accessory structures of 250 square feet or less and 8 feet or less in height.
    § 18.06.050 · code text
    Detached accessory structures not exceeding two hundred fifty square feet in floor area and not exceeding eight feet in overall height may be located within the required rear yard setback of a site but shall be no closer than five feet to the rear property line or five feet to the side property line.
  • At least 10 feet from the rear property line and 5 feet from the side property line.
    Applies: For detached accessory structures over 250 square feet and over 12 feet tall, within the maximum building envelope.
    § 18.06.050 · code text
    Detached accessory structures exceeding two hundred fifty square feet in floor area and exceeding twelve feet in overall height may be located within the required rear yard setback of a site but shall be no closer than ten feet to the rear property line or five feet to the side property line; provided, that it does not encroach into the maximum building envelope.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Half Moon Bay?

In Half Moon Bay's rear yard setback, detached accessory structures are limited to 8 ft and 250 sq ft, 5 ft from lot lines. Larger Half Moon Bay accessory structures, over 250 sq ft and 12 ft, need 10-ft rear and 5-ft side setbacks.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Half Moon Bay property

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

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Half Moon Bay Municipal Code — full text