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Los Gatos · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Los Gatos

Residential zones: accessory structures are limited to 15 feet and 1 story, and may cover no more than 15% of the lot.

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Key points

  • Accessory structures: Residential zones: accessory structures are limited to 15 feet and 1 story, and may cover no more than 15% of the lot.

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

What Los Gatos's code says

Los Gatos code What Los Gatos's code adds
Maximum height
  • At most 15 feet tall and 1 story.
    Applies: For accessory structures in residential zones.
    § 29.40.015 · code text
    Are not over fifteen (15) feet high and are no more than one (1) story.
Size or lot coverage
  • Can cover no more than 15% of the lot.
    Applies: Lot area is counted without the required building setbacks.
    § 29.40.015 · code text
    Do not occupy more than fifteen (15) percent of the lot, to be calculated exclusive of the required building setbacks.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from any property line.
    Applies: In residential zones except R-M. Not allowed in a required front or side yard unless an exception applies.
    § 29.40.015 · code text
    Are at least five (5) feet from any property line, except in the R-M zone where no setback is required by this subsection (4).
  • No setback required.
    Applies: R-M zone; the 5-foot property-line setback does not apply, but structures are still not allowed in a required side yard.
    § 29.40.015 · code text
    Are at least five (5) feet from any property line, except in the R-M zone where no setback is required by this subsection (4).
  • Can be reduced to no less than 3 feet from a property line.
    Applies: R-1 zones; not detached ADUs; Minor Residential Projects procedure approved; not in a side yard abutting a street.
    § 29.40.015 · code text
    In the R-1 zones, required side and rear yards for accessory structures other than detached accessory dwelling units, may be reduced to no less than three (3) feet from a property line, if an application is approved through the Administrative Procedure for Minor Residential Projects.
  • The side yard setback can be reduced to 5 feet.
    Applies: In R-1 zones, for detached garages under 450 square feet, without Administrative Procedure approval.
    § 29.40.015 · code text
    In the R-1 zones, required side yard setbacks may be reduced to five (5) feet for detached garages less than four hundred fifty (450) square feet without obtaining approval through the Administrative Procedure for Minor Residential Projects (section 29.20.480).
No permit needed up to
  • One accessory structure under 120 square feet needs no zoning approval.
    Applies: In the required side or rear setbacks.
    § 29.40.015 · code text
    One (1) accessory structure less than one hundred twenty (120) square feet, is allowed in the required side or rear setbacks without any zoning approvals.
Distance from the house
  • At least 5 feet from any other structure on the same lot.
    § 29.40.015 · code text
    Are at least five (5) feet from any other structure located on the same lot.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Residential zones: accessory structures are limited to 15 feet and 1 story, and may cover no more than 15% of the lot.

General information, not legal advice.

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