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Monte Sereno · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Monte Sereno

City rule: accessory buildings are limited to 600 sq ft in R-1-8, 800 in R-1-20 and 1,000 in R-1-44.

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Key points

  • Accessory size: City rule: accessory buildings are limited to 600 sq ft in R-1-8, 800 in R-1-20 and 1,000 in R-1-44.

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

What Monte Sereno's code says

Monte Sereno code What Monte Sereno's code adds
Maximum height
  • Up to 21 feet.
    Applies: R-1-44 district; detached accessory building set back farther than required: 12 feet at the setback line, plus 1 foot per 2 feet farther.
    § 10.05.020 · code text
    a. Twenty-one (21) feet for any single-story structure, or single-story portion of a two (2) story building or any detached accessory building or structure.
  • No more than 12 feet.
    Applies: Accessory buildings in the R-1-8 district.
    § 10.05.040 · code text
    (3) Accessory building: Twelve (12) feet.
  • 12 feet at the setback line.
    Applies: R-1-20 district; it may rise 1 foot for each foot farther from the setback, up to 21 feet.
    § 10.05.030 · code text
    (3) Accessory building or structure: Twelve (12) feet.
  • Up to 21 feet.
    Applies: R-1-20 district; detached accessory building set back farther than required: 12 feet at the setback line, plus 1 foot per foot farther.
    § 10.05.030 · code text
    a. Twenty-one (21) feet for any single-story structure, or single-story portion of a two-story building or any detached accessory building or structure.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 1,000 square feet.
    Applies: Accessory buildings or structures in the R-1-44 district.
    § 10.05.020 · code text
    c. Accessory building or structure: One thousand (1,000) square feet.
  • No more than 800 square feet.
    Applies: Accessory buildings or structures in the R-1-20 district.
    § 10.05.030 · code text
    c. Accessory building or structure: Eight hundred (800) square feet.
  • No more than 600 square feet.
    Applies: Accessory buildings or structures in the R-1-8 district.
    § 10.05.040 · code text
    c. Accessory building or structure: Six hundred (600) square feet.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 6 feet from the interior side line.
    Applies: R-1-8 district; add 2 1/2 feet per 6,000 square feet the lot exceeds the minimum. Corner street sides use main-building setbacks.
    § 10.05.040 · code text
    c. Accessory building or structure: Six (6) feet.
  • At least 6 feet from the rear line.
    Applies: R-1-8 district; add 2 1/2 feet for each 6,000 square feet the lot exceeds the minimum lot area.
    § 10.05.040 · code text
    c. Accessory building or structure: Six (6) feet.
  • At least 10 feet from the rear line.
    Applies: R-1-44 district; add 5 feet for each 21,780 square feet the lot exceeds the minimum, up to 2 acres.
    § 10.05.020 · code text
    c. Accessory building or structure: Ten (10) feet.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Monte Sereno?

City rule: accessory buildings are limited to 600 sq ft in R-1-8, 800 in R-1-20 and 1,000 in R-1-44.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Monte Sereno property

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

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Monte Sereno Municipal Code — full text