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McFarland · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in McFarland

McFarland limits detached accessory buildings in R and E zones to 2 stories or 35 ft; in rear or side setbacks, 120 sq ft.

Key points

  • Accessory buildings: McFarland limits detached accessory buildings in R and E zones to 2 stories or 35 ft; in rear or side setbacks, 120 sq ft.

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

What McFarland's code says

McFarland code What McFarland's code adds
Maximum height
  • At most 2 stories or 35 feet tall.
    Applies: For detached accessory buildings in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-S, E and E-1 through E-7 zones.
    § 17.136.140 · code text
    No detached accessory buildings in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-S, E, E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, E-5, E-6 or E-7 zones may exceed two stories or thirty-five feet in height.
  • At most 10 feet tall.
    Applies: For a detached private garage in the required front yard of an interior lot whose front half slopes more than 1 foot in 4.
    § 17.136.140 · code text
    provided that no such building shall exceed ten feet in height.
Size or lot coverage
  • At most 120 square feet of floor area.
    Applies: For accessory structures in a required rear or side setback area.
    § 17.16.120 · code text
    The floor area shall be a maximum one hundred twenty square feet.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from any interior property line.
    Applies: For 2-story accessory buildings in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-S, E and E-1 through E-7 zones.
    § 17.136.140 · code text
    No accessory buildings in the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-S, E, E-1, E-2, E-3, E-4, E-5, E-6 or E-7 zones, if two stories in height, shall be located nearer than five feet to any interior property line.
  • Walls at least 10 feet from the rear lot line.
    Applies: For accessory structures in a required rear or side setback area.
    § 17.16.120 · code text
    The walls shall be at least ten feet from rear lot line and five feet from the side lot lines.
  • Walls at least 5 feet from the side lot lines.
    Applies: For accessory structures in a required rear or side setback area.
    § 17.16.120 · code text
    The walls shall be at least ten feet from rear lot line and five feet from the side lot lines.
Distance from the house
  • At least 10 feet from the main building, unless connected to it.
    Applies: For accessory structures not physically connected to the main building.
    § 17.16.120 · code text
    The accessory structure shall be physically connected to the main structure or separated by a minimum of ten feet.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in McFarland?

McFarland limits detached accessory buildings in R and E zones to 2 stories or 35 ft; in rear or side setbacks, 120 sq ft.

General information, not legal advice.

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