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Modesto · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Modesto

City rule: accessory buildings are limited to 1 story or 16 ft in R-1 and on lots with only a single-family home.

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Key points

  • Accessory buildings: City rule: accessory buildings are limited to 1 story or 16 ft in R-1 and on lots with only a single-family home.

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

What Modesto's code says

Modesto code What Modesto's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 1 story or 16 feet.
    Applies: R-1 zone, or residential lots with only a single-family home. Garages and carports may be higher if the Director agrees.
    § 10-4.114 · code text
    Accessory Building (maximum height in stories/feet) | 1/16 | 1/16 | 1/16
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 400 square feet or 50% of the main building, whichever is less.
    Applies: Lots under 5,000 square feet; R-1 or lots with only a single-family home; all accessory buildings combined.
    § 10-4.114 · code text
    Less than 5,000 | 400 | or 50% of main building, whichever is less
  • No more than 600 square feet or 50% of the main building, whichever is less.
    Applies: Lots of 5,000 to under 10,000 square feet; R-1 or lots with only a single-family home; all accessory buildings combined.
    § 10-4.114 · code text
    5,000 to less than 10,000 | 600 | or 50% of main building, whichever is less
  • No more than 800 square feet or 50% of the main building, whichever is less.
    Applies: Lots of 10,000 to under 20,000 square feet; R-1 or lots with only a single-family home; all accessory buildings combined.
    § 10-4.114 · code text
    10,000 to less than 20,000 | 800 | or 50% of main building, whichever is less
  • No more than 1,000 square feet or 50% of the main building, whichever is less.
    Applies: Lots of 20,000 square feet or more; R-1 or single-family-only lots; all accessory buildings combined. Lots of 40,000 square feet or more may seek exceptions.
    § 10-4.114 · code text
    20,000 or greater | 1,000 | or 50% of main building, whichever is less
Side and rear setback
  • 0 feet for buildings of 120 square feet or less; 4 feet for new buildings over 120 square feet.
    Applies: R-1 or residential lots with only a single-family home. Existing buildings may keep their existing setbacks.
    § 10-4.114 · code text
    Side and Rear (minimum in feet) | Existing | 0 | 0 | 0 | Existing setbacks allowed
Distance from the house
  • No minimum distance.
    Applies: Accessory buildings of 120 square feet or less.
    § 10-4.114 · code text
    Distance From Main House | 0 | 0 | 5
  • At least 5 feet.
    Applies: Buildings over 120 square feet; existing accessory buildings with less than a 5-foot side or rear setback.
    § 10-4.114 · code text
    Distance From Main House | 0 | 0 | 5 | For existing accessory building that has less than a 5-foot side and/or rear setback

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

City rule: accessory buildings are limited to 1 story or 16 ft in R-1 and on lots with only a single-family home.

General information, not legal advice.

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