Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Healdsburg

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

What Healdsburg's code says

Healdsburg code What Healdsburg's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 12 feet above finished grade. § 20.16.030 · code text Accessory structures shall not exceed a height of 12 feet above finished grade, as measured according to HMC § 20.16.060. Up to 18 feet high. Applies: When the planning and building director makes the required findings in writing. § 20.16.030 · code text the planning and building director may allow heights of accessory structures to extend to a maximum of 18 feet when the following findings can be made in writing:
Size or lot coverage	No more than 500 square feet or 10% of the required side and rear yards, whichever is greater. Applies: All accessory structures combined in the main building's required side and rear yards. § 20.16.025 · code text In the aggregate, no more than 500 square feet or 10 percent of the combined area of the primary structure's required side and rear yards, whichever is greater, shall be covered by accessory structures Up to 400 square feet, not counted in the combined accessory structure area. Applies: A detached garage in the required side and rear yard, when the lot has no other workable place for it. § 20.16.025 · code text except that up to 400 square feet of detached garage may be located in the required side and rear yard and not count toward the aggregate accessory structure area; provided, that the lot contains no other feasible location for the garage.
Side and rear setback	At least 15 feet. Applies: Interior side and rear yards in the O District. § 20.16.020 · code text O District: 15 feet At least 6 feet. Applies: Interior side and rear yards in the R-1-40,000, R-1-20,000, R-1-12,500 and GMU Districts. § 20.16.020 · code text R-1-40,000, R-1-20,000, R-1-12,500 and GMU Districts: Six feet At least 3 feet. Applies: Interior side and rear yards in the R-1-6,000, DR, RM, MP and ORM Districts. § 20.16.020 · code text R-1-6,000, DR, RM, MP and ORM Districts: Three feet No setback is required. Applies: Interior side and rear yards in the R-1-3,500 District. § 20.16.020 · code text R-1-3,500 District: None At least 5 feet from a side or rear property line. Applies: Accessory structures used for living, swimming pools, and structures with machinery or equipment whose noise can be heard outside. § 20.16.020 · code text no accessory structure used for human habitation, and no swimming pool, or structure containing machinery or other fixed equipment capable of creating noise audible outside of the structure, shall be located closer than five feet to a side or rear property line No closer to the rear line than the required side yard on the next-door key lot. Applies: Reversed corner lots. § 20.16.020 · code text on reversed corner lots, an accessory structure shall not be located closer to the rear property line than the required side yard on the adjoining key lot.

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

Healdsburg limits accessory structures to 12 ft, or 18 ft with written director findings; side and rear setbacks depend on the district.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Healdsburg

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What Healdsburg's code says

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