Sheds and accessory structures in Huntington Beach

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

What Huntington Beach's code says

Huntington Beach code What Huntington Beach's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet high. Applies: Accessory structures. A detached garage may be taller if it matches the main home's design and has no living space. § 230.08 · code text Fifteen feet, except a detached garage for a single-family or multi- family dwelling may exceed the maximum height when it is designed to be architecturally compatible with the main dwelling and does not include habitable floor area. No more than 42 inches high. Applies: Minor accessory structures in the front yard setback. § 230.08 · code text Minor accessory structures may be located within the front yard setback provided they do not exceed 42 inches in height.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 600 square feet or 10% of the lot area, whichever is more. Applies: RL District: total floor area of detached accessory structures, including garages, over 4 feet tall. § 230.08 · code text In an RL District, the total gross floor area of accessory structures, including garages, more than four feet in height that are not attached to a dwelling shall not exceed 600 square feet or 10% of lot area, whichever is more.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from the rear property line. Applies: Not in required front, side or street side yards. No rear setback next to an alley, except for garages and carports. § 230.08 · code text An accessory structure shall be set back five feet from the rear property line except no setback is required for accessory structures, excluding garages and carports, which abut an alley. At least 5 feet from side and rear property lines, measured from the post or wall. Applies: Patio covers. § 230.08 · code text A patio cover open on at least two sides and complying with all other provisions of this subsection may be attached to a principal structure or detached provided a five-foot clearance from the post/wall to side and rear property lines is maintained. 1 foot from side and rear lines for each foot of height, up to 5 feet. Applies: Rock formations. § 230.08 · code text Rock formations shall be set back one foot from the side and/or rear property lines for each foot of rock formation height, maximum five-foot setback required.
Distance from the house	At least 5 feet from the home. Applies: Minor accessory structures in a required side yard. § 230.08 · code text A minimum five-foot clearance is maintained between said structure and the dwelling if it is located in a required side yard; At least 10 feet apart. Applies: Buildings on the same lot. § 230.08 · code text The distance between buildings on the same lot shall not be less than 10 feet. At least 6 feet from a building on the same lot. Applies: The post or wall of a detached solid patio cover. § 230.08 · code text The minimum separation between a detached solid patio cover post/wall and a building on the same lot is six feet. At least 1 foot from eave to eave, subject to building code rules. § 230.08 · code text The minimum separation from eave to eave shall be one foot subject to building code requirements.

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Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Huntington Beach?

Huntington Beach limits accessory structures to 15 ft, set at least 5 ft from the rear property line.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Huntington Beach

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What Huntington Beach's code says

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