Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Hercules

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

What Hercules's code says

Hercules code What Hercules's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet high. Applies: Freestanding accessory structures. § 13-35.210 · code text 7. The maximum height of an attached accessory structure shall be as specified for the main structure, and for a freestanding accessory structure the maximum height shall be 15 feet, except that within 10 feet of a property line, no part of the structure shall exceed 8 feet. No more than 8 feet high. Applies: Freestanding accessory structures within 10 feet of a property line. § 13-35.210 · code text 7. The maximum height of an attached accessory structure shall be as specified for the main structure, and for a freestanding accessory structure the maximum height shall be 15 feet, except that within 10 feet of a property line, no part of the structure shall exceed 8 feet.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 30% of the required rear yard. Applies: Freestanding accessory structures in the RS-L district. § 13-35.210 · code text 8. In the RS-L district, freestanding accessory structures shall cover not more than 30 percent of the required rear yard, unless there remains a portion of the rear yard or a side yard which has an area of not less than 20 percent of the site, and that the least dimension of such yard shall be at least 15 feet.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from all side and rear property lines. Applies: Freestanding accessory structures. § 13-35.210 · code text 4. A freestanding accessory structure shall be located at least 5 feet from all side and rear property lines. At least 10 feet from the side property line next to the street. Applies: Freestanding accessory structures on corner lots. § 13-35.210 · code text 5. On a corner lot, a freestanding accessory structure shall be located at least 10 feet from the side property line adjoining the street, except that garages and carports with access from the street adjoining the side yard shall be located at least 20 feet from this side property line. At least 20 feet from the side property line next to the street. Applies: Garages and carports on corner lots entered from the side street. § 13-35.210 · code text 5. On a corner lot, a freestanding accessory structure shall be located at least 10 feet from the side property line adjoining the street, except that garages and carports with access from the street adjoining the side yard shall be located at least 20 feet from this side property line. The 5-foot setback may be reduced. Applies: Noncombustible structures, including spas but not gazebos or wood structures, when the Community Development Director finds no significant added fire hazard. § 13-35.210 · code text A. For a structure built out of noncombustible materials, including a spa (but not including a gazebo or any other wood structure), the 5-foot setback may be reduced; provided, that the Community Development Director finds that the proposed structures will not significantly increase the fire hazard.
No permit needed up to	Under 120 square feet in total for the property. Applies: All accessory structures combined. Exempt from a use permit, but structures on permanent foundations need design review. § 13-35.210 · code text 10. Detached and attached accessory structures under 120 square feet total for the property that meet all requirements of this Section are exempt from use permit requirements.

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

Hercules limits freestanding accessory structures to 15 ft, or 8 ft within 10 ft of a property line; side and rear setback 5 ft.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Hercules

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What Hercules's code says

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