Sheds and accessory structures in Lake Elsinore

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

What Lake Elsinore's code says

Lake Elsinore code What Lake Elsinore's code adds
Maximum height	six and one-half feet Applies: Group I sheds, children's playhouses and similar enclosures of less than 120 square feet, which may sit on the property line; same limit in the R-E, R-1 and R-H single-family districts § 17.68.040 · code text Sheds, children's playhouses, and similar enclosures of less than 120 square feet provided they do not exceed a maximum height of six and one-half feet. No more than 15 feet tall. Applies: Group II structures: carports, gazebos, patio covers and detached enclosed structures under 600 square feet; R-E, R-1 and R-H districts. § 17.76.040 · code text provided they do not exceed a maximum height of 15 feet and are located no closer than five feet to a side property line, or 10 feet to a rear property line. No more than 17 feet tall. Applies: Group III garages, stables, workshops and similar structures of 600 square feet or more in the R-H Hillside district; same setbacks as the house. § 17.72.040 · code text provided they do not exceed a maximum height of 17 feet and, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, are located no closer to a property line than the setback prescribed for the main dwelling unit
Size or lot coverage	less than 120 square feet Applies: Group I sheds, children's playhouses and similar enclosures up to six and one-half feet tall may sit on the property line if under this size; same in the R-E, R-1 and R-H single-family districts § 17.68.040 · code text Sheds, children's playhouses, and similar enclosures of less than 120 square feet provided they do not exceed a maximum height of six and one-half feet. Less than 600 square feet of floor area. Applies: Under this size: Group II rules (at most 15 feet tall, 5 feet side, 10 feet rear setbacks); larger: Group III; R-E, R-1, R-H districts. § 17.76.040 · code text as well as detached enclosed structures not included in Group I, but containing less than 600 square feet of floor area such as sheds, children's playhouses and workshops No more than 400 square feet. Applies: Equipment storage structures in the R-2 Medium Density Residential District. § 17.80.040 · code text Equipment storage structures not exceeding 400 square feet. less than 120 square feet Applies: sheds, playhouses and similar enclosures on duplex and triplex lots in the R-2 Medium Density Residential District; under this size and six and one-half feet tall they may sit in the required side or rear yard with no setback § 17.80.040 · code text On duplex and triplex lots, sheds, children's playhouses, and similar enclosures of less than 120 square feet and a height of six and one-half feet may encroach into the required side and/or rear yard
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from a property line. Applies: Group II structures in the R-E Estate Single-Family Residential District. § 17.68.040 · code text provided they do not exceed a maximum height of 15 feet and are located no closer than five feet to a property line, or 10 feet to a rear property line. At least 10 feet from a rear property line. Applies: Group II structures in the R-E Estate Single-Family Residential District. § 17.68.040 · code text provided they do not exceed a maximum height of 15 feet and are located no closer than five feet to a property line, or 10 feet to a rear property line. At least 5 feet from a side property line. Applies: Group II structures in the R-1 Single-Family Residential and R-H Hillside districts. § 17.76.040 · code text provided they do not exceed a maximum height of 15 feet and are located no closer than five feet to a side property line, or 10 feet to a rear property line. At least 10 feet from a rear property line. Applies: Group II structures in the R-1 Single-Family Residential and R-H Hillside districts. § 17.76.040 · code text provided they do not exceed a maximum height of 15 feet and are located no closer than five feet to a side property line, or 10 feet to a rear property line. At least 10 feet from any property line other than a public right-of-way or trail. Applies: Group III structures of 600 square feet or more in the R-E district; also at least 20 feet from a public right-of-way or trail. § 17.68.040 · code text provided they are located no closer than 20 feet to a public right-of-way or trail and no closer than 10 feet to any other property line.

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Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Lake Elsinore?

In single-family districts, carports, gazebos and patio covers are limited to 15 feet; sheds under 120 square feet, 6½ feet.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Lake Elsinore

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What Lake Elsinore's code says

Who this affects

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