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Oakley · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Oakley

Accessory structures inside a required yard are limited to 15 feet; those fully outside all required yards may be taller under zoning rules.

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Key points

  • Accessory height: Accessory structures inside a required yard are limited to 15 feet; those fully outside all required yards may be taller under zoning rules.

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

What Oakley's code says

Oakley code What Oakley's code adds
Maximum height
  • Accessory structures can be at most 15 feet tall.
    Applies: When any part of the structure is in a required yard for the zone.
    § 9.1.1802 · code text
    Fifteen (15) feet in height when the accessory structure or portion thereof is located within any of the required yards for the applicable zoning district;
  • Accessory structures can be taller than 15 feet.
    Applies: Only when fully outside all required yards, subject to the zone's rules.
    § 9.1.1802 · code text
    Accessory structures completely located outside of all required yards, subject to the applicable zoning regulations, may exceed fifteen (15) feet in height.
Size or lot coverage
  • 500 square feet, or the size that keeps total lot coverage at 40% or less, whichever is greater.
    Applies: All accessory structures on one lot combined.
    § 9.1.1802 · code text
    the total lot coverage shall not exceed forty percent (40%);
  • Accessory structures can cover at most 50% of a required yard.
    Applies: Required rear yard and required side yard.
    § 9.1.1802 · code text
    accessory structures shall occupy no more than fifty percent (50%) of a required rear yard.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 3 feet from side and rear property lines.
    Applies: Detached enclosed or partly enclosed, and detached or attached open, accessory structures of 1,500 square feet or less on residential lots.
    § 9.1.1802 · code text
    all detached "fully enclosed," detached "partially enclosed," and detached or attached "unenclosed" accessory structures that are one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet or less shall maintain a minimum setback of three feet to the side and rear property lines.
Distance from the house
  • At least 5 feet from any other structure, not counting the fence.
    Applies: Permit-exempt detached structures no taller than the nearby fence, in the side or rear yard up to the property line.
    § 9.1.1802 · code text
    only if the accessory structure maintains a minimum clearance of five feet to any other structure, excluding the fence.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Accessory structures inside a required yard are limited to 15 feet; those fully outside all required yards may be taller under zoning rules.

General information, not legal advice.

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Oakley Municipal Code — full text