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Oxnard · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Oxnard

Small accessory structures without utilities are limited to 8 feet with a flat roof, or up to 12 feet sloped with added setback. All small accessory structures together are limited to 15% of rear open area or 120 square feet, whichever is less.

Key points

  • Shed height: Small accessory structures without utilities are limited to 8 feet with a flat roof, or up to 12 feet sloped with added setback.
  • Shed area: All small accessory structures together are limited to 15% of rear open area or 120 square feet, whichever is less.

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

What Oxnard's code says

Oxnard code What Oxnard's code adds
Maximum height
  • At most 8 feet tall.
    Applies: Applies to small residential accessory structures with a flat roof that meet all section rules (no utilities, not in front yard, no sleeping).
    § 16-301 · code text
    Accessory structures or accessory buildings with a flat roof shall not exceed a height of eight feet.
  • Up to 12 feet, adding 6 inches of height for each extra foot of setback.
    Applies: Applies to small residential accessory structures with a sloped roof that meet all section rules.
    § 16-301 · code text
    For accessory buildings with a sloped roof, the height limit may be increased six inches for each additional one-foot increase to the required setbacks, graduated over the length of the structure, not to exceed a height of 12 feet.
  • No taller than the adjacent eave or parapet.
    Applies: Applies to small residential accessory structures set against the house that meet all section rules.
    § 16-301 · code text
    Accessory structures or accessory buildings set against the residence shall not exceed the height of the adjacent eave or parapet.
Size or lot coverage
  • All such structures together: at most 15% of the rear open area or 120 square feet, whichever is less.
    Applies: Applies to small residential accessory structures that meet all section rules (no utilities, not in front yard, no sleeping).
    § 16-301 · code text
    The total aggregate floor area of all accessory structures and accessory buildings shall not exceed 15% of the total open area between the residence and adjacent rear property line or 120 square feet, whichever is less.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 3 feet from any property line.
    Applies: Applies to small residential accessory structures that meet all section rules (no utilities, not in front yard, no sleeping).
    § 16-301 · code text
    Minimum setback from any property line: three feet.
  • Fixed sports equipment like basketball hoops is exempt from the height limit if at least 5 feet from property lines.
    Applies: Applies to uncovered equipment with no more than 2 posts.
    § 16-301 · code text
    Regulation-size sports equipment such as a basketball hoop, volleyball net, etc. which are un-covered and non-moveable and feature no more than two supporting posts shall be exempt from the aforementioned height restriction when a minimum five-foot setback is provided to adjacent property lines, as determined by the planning manager.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Small accessory structures without utilities are limited to 8 feet with a flat roof, or up to 12 feet sloped with added setback. All small accessory structures together are limited to 15% of rear open area or 120 square feet, whichever is less.

General information, not legal advice.

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

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