Skip to content

Los Alamitos · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Los Alamitos

Detached accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, and to 640 square feet unless a site plan is approved.

Ask about sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Los Alamitos See coverage

Key points

  • Accessory structures: Detached accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, and to 640 square feet unless a site plan is approved.

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

What Los Alamitos's code says

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 15 feet.
    Applies: Detached accessory structures in residential zones. Tool sheds in a required side setback are limited to 7 feet.
    § 17.28.030 · code text
    Detached accessory structures shall not exceed a height of 15 feet, except detached tool sheds located within a required side setback shall not exceed a height of seven feet from grade.
  • No more than 7 feet from grade.
    Applies: Detached tool sheds in a required side setback.
    § 17.28.030 · code text
    Detached accessory structures shall not exceed a height of 15 feet, except detached tool sheds located within a required side setback shall not exceed a height of seven feet from grade.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 640 square feet.
    Applies: Unless a site plan is approved.
    § 17.28.030 · code text
    An accessory structure shall not exceed 640 square feet unless a site plan is approved in compliance with Chapter 17.44 (Site Development Permit—Major and Minor).
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from any shared property line to the eave line.
    Applies: Accessory structures in required side or rear setbacks, residential zones.
    § 17.28.030 · code text
    Accessory structures in residential zones may be located in the required side or rear setback areas, provided that the structure(s) are a minimum of five feet from any common property line to the eave line and further provided that all run-off water from the roof is disposed of on the subject lot.
  • At least 10 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: Garages with access from an alley.
    § 17.28.030 · code text
    Where access to a garage is provided from an alley, the garage shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from the rear property line.
Distance from the house
  • At least 5 feet from the main structure and other structures.
    Applies: Detached accessory structures on a single lot.
    § 17.28.030 · code text
    Detached accessory structures on a single lot shall be separated from the main structure and other structures by at least five feet, or more, as required, except as allowed by the Uniform Building Code (UBC).

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Los Alamitos?

Detached accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, and to 640 square feet unless a site plan is approved.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Los Alamitos property

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

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Los Alamitos

All building on your lot rules in Los Alamitos

Fences and walls in Los Alamitos

Swimming pools in Los Alamitos

Pets, chickens and bees in Los Alamitos

Park and impact fees for new homes in Los Alamitos

Parking spaces required for homes in Los Alamitos

Home alarm permits and false alarms in Los Alamitos

Signs on homes in Los Alamitos

Historic homes in Los Alamitos

Los Alamitos Municipal Code — full text