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La Quinta · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in La Quinta

City code limits sheds to 10 feet with up to 200 square feet of roof, and 17 feet with 201 square feet or more.

Key points

  • Sheds: City code limits sheds to 10 feet with up to 200 square feet of roof, and 17 feet with 201 square feet or more.

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

What La Quinta's code says

La Quinta code What La Quinta's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 10 feet tall.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings such as storage or garden sheds with 0 to 100 square feet of roof area.
    § 9.60.050 · code text
    0—100 | 10 | 5 | 20 | 3.5 | 10 | 3.5
  • No more than 10 feet tall.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings such as storage or garden sheds with 101 to 200 square feet of roof area.
    § 9.60.050 · code text
    101—200 | 10 | 5 | 20 | 5 | 10 | 5
  • No more than 17 feet tall.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings such as storage or garden sheds with 201 or more square feet of roof area.
    § 9.60.050 · code text
    201+ | 17 | 10 | Same as for main building | Same as for main building | Same as for main building | Same as for main building
Side and rear setback
  • At least 3.5 feet from the interior side or rear lot line.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings such as sheds with 0 to 100 square feet of roof area.
    § 9.60.050 · code text
    0—100 | 10 | 5 | 20 | 3.5 | 10 | 3.5
  • At least 5 feet from the interior side or rear lot line.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings such as sheds with 101 to 200 square feet of roof area.
    § 9.60.050 · code text
    101—200 | 10 | 5 | 20 | 5 | 10 | 5
  • At least 10 feet from the street side lot line.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings such as sheds with 0 to 100 square feet of roof area; exterior side yard.
    § 9.60.050 · code text
    0—100 | 10 | 5 | 20 | 3.5 | 10 | 3.5
  • At least 10 feet from the street side lot line.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings such as sheds with 101 to 200 square feet of roof area; exterior side yard.
    § 9.60.050 · code text
    101—200 | 10 | 5 | 20 | 5 | 10 | 5
  • Same setbacks as the main building.
    Applies: Structures with 201 or more square feet of roof area; interior side, exterior side and rear yards.
    § 9.60.050 · code text
    201+ | 17 | 10 | Same as for main building | Same as for main building | Same as for main building | Same as for main building
Distance from the house
  • At least 5 feet from the main building.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings such as sheds with 0 to 100 square feet of roof area.
    § 9.60.050 · code text
    0—100 | 10 | 5 | 20 | 3.5 | 10 | 3.5
  • At least 5 feet from the main building.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings such as sheds with 101 to 200 square feet of roof area.
    § 9.60.050 · code text
    101—200 | 10 | 5 | 20 | 5 | 10 | 5
  • At least 10 feet from the main building.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings such as sheds with 201 or more square feet of roof area.
    § 9.60.050 · code text
    201+ | 17 | 10 | Same as for main building | Same as for main building | Same as for main building | Same as for main building

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in La Quinta?

City code limits sheds to 10 feet with up to 200 square feet of roof, and 17 feet with 201 square feet or more.

General information, not legal advice.

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

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