Morgan Hill · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Morgan Hill

City rule: accessory structures in required setback areas are limited to 12 ft, or 8 ft for above-ground pools and spas.

Ask about sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Morgan Hill See coverage

Key points

Accessory height: City rule: accessory structures in required setback areas are limited to 12 ft, or 8 ft for above-ground pools and spas.

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

What Morgan Hill's code says

Morgan Hill code What Morgan Hill's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 8 feet. Applies: Above-ground pools, spas, hot tubs and their equipment and improvements in required setback areas. § 18.44.030 · code text Above ground pools, spas and hot tubs and related equipment, accessories, and improvements \| 8 ft. No more than 12 feet. Applies: All other accessory structures in required setback areas. § 18.44.030 · code text All other accessory structures \| 12 ft. The same height limit as main buildings in the zoning district. Applies: Outside required setback areas. § 18.44.030 · code text Outside of required setback areas \| As required for primary structures in zoning district
Size or lot coverage	Together they may cover no more than 30% of a required side or rear setback area. Applies: Roofed accessory structures such as garages and sheds, and open structures such as decks. § 18.44.030 · code text Roofed accessory structures such as garages and sheds and open, unroofed structures such as decks may collectively occupy no more than thirty percent of a required side or rear setback area.
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet. Applies: Roofed structures such as detached garages and sheds, and structures such as trellises, 8 feet tall or less. § 18.44.030 · code text Height 8 ft. or less \| Same as minimum primary structure setback \| 3 ft. At least 5 feet. Applies: Roofed structures such as detached garages and sheds, and structures such as trellises, over 8 feet and up to 12 feet tall. § 18.44.030 · code text Height greater than 8 ft. to 12 ft. \| Same as minimum primary structure setback \| 5 ft. The same as the minimum setback for the main building. Applies: Roofed structures such as detached garages and sheds, and structures such as trellises, over 12 feet tall. § 18.44.030 · code text Height greater than 12 ft. \| Same as minimum primary structure setback \| Same as minimum primary structure setback 50% of the minimum setback for the main building. Applies: Mechanical equipment and equipment enclosures. § 18.44.030 · code text Mechanical equipment and mechanical equipment enclosures \| 50 percent of minimum primary structure setback \| 50 percent of minimum primary structure setback At least 1 foot. Applies: Detached decks 18 inches tall or less. § 18.44.030 · code text Height 18 in. or less \| 5 ft. \| 1 ft. At least 5 feet. Applies: Detached decks over 18 inches and up to 6 feet high, measured from ground to walking surface, in residential zones. § 18.44.030 · code text Height 6 ft. or less \| Same as minimum primary structure setback \| 5 ft. 12.5 feet or the main building's minimum setback, whichever is less. Applies: Detached decks over 6 feet tall. § 18.44.030 · code text Height greater than 6 ft. \| Same as minimum primary structure setback \| 12.5 ft. or same as minimum primary structure setback, whichever is less At least 4 feet. Applies: In-ground pools, spas and hot tubs. § 18.44.030 · code text In ground pools, spas and hot tubs \| Same as minimum primary structure setback \| 4 ft. At least 5 feet. Applies: Above-ground pools, spas, hot tubs and their equipment and improvements. § 18.44.030 · code text Above ground pools, spas, hot tubs and related equipment, accessories, and improvements \| Same as minimum primary structure setback \| 5 ft. At least 1 foot. Applies: Ponds less than 18 inches deep. § 18.44.030 · code text Ponds less than 18 in. in depth \| 10 ft. \| 1 ft. At least 3 feet. Applies: Fireplaces, barbecue structures, statues and fountains 8 feet tall or less. § 18.44.030 · code text Height 8 ft. or less \| 3 ft. \| 3 ft. At least 5 feet. Applies: Fireplaces, barbecue structures, statues and fountains over 8 feet and up to 12 feet tall. § 18.44.030 · code text Height greater than 8 ft. to 12 ft. \| 5 ft. \| 5 ft.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Morgan Hill?

City rule: accessory structures in required setback areas are limited to 12 ft, or 8 ft for above-ground pools and spas.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Morgan Hill property

Ask GoCodebook how Morgan Hill'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 Morgan Hill

All building on your lot rules in Morgan Hill

Running a business from home in Morgan Hill

Solar panels and EV chargers in Morgan Hill

Swimming pools in Morgan Hill

Pets, chickens and bees in Morgan Hill

Building on a hillside in Morgan Hill

Park and impact fees for new homes in Morgan Hill

Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) in Morgan Hill

Parking spaces required for homes in Morgan Hill

Home alarm permits and false alarms in Morgan Hill

Signs on homes in Morgan Hill

Trash and recycling carts in Morgan Hill

Historic homes in Morgan Hill

Morgan Hill Municipal Code — full text