Riverside · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Riverside

In single-family zones, accessory structures are limited to 20 feet for 1 story and 30 feet for 2 stories (city rule).

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Key points

Accessory height: In single-family zones, accessory structures are limited to 20 feet for 1 story and 30 feet for 2 stories (city rule).

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

What Riverside's code says

Riverside code What Riverside's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 20 feet tall overall. Applies: Single-story accessory structures in single-family residential zones. § 19.440.030 · code text Single-story accessory structures shall not exceed 20 feet in overall height and two-story accessory structures shall not exceed 30 feet in overall height. No more than 30 feet tall overall. Applies: Two-story accessory structures in single-family residential zones. § 19.440.030 · code text Single-story accessory structures shall not exceed 20 feet in overall height and two-story accessory structures shall not exceed 30 feet in overall height.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 35% of the required side or rear setback area. Applies: Accessory structures. § 19.440.030 · code text Accessory structures shall not cover more than 35 percent of the required side or rear yard setback area. No more than 120 square feet in total. Applies: All metal accessory structures in the RR, RE and R-1 Zones. § 19.440.030 · code text All metal accessory structures shall be limited to a maximum total floor area of 120 square feet in the RR, RE, and R-1 Zones. No more than 750 square feet. Applies: Accessory structures on lots smaller than one-half acre in the RR, RE and R-1 Zones. § 19.440.030 · code text Accessory structures shall be limited to a maximum floor area of 750 square feet on lots less than one-half acre in the RR, RE, and R-1 Zones. No size limit. Applies: Accessory structures in the RC, RA-5, R-3 or R-4 Zones. § 19.440.030 · code text In the RC, RA-5, R-3 or R-4 Zones. No size limit. Applies: Accessory structures on lots of one-half acre or more in the RR, RE and R-1 Zones. § 19.440.030 · code text On lots one-half acre or greater in the RR, RE, and R-1 Zones.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from interior side and rear lot lines. Applies: Single-story accessory structures in single-family residential zones. § 19.440.030 · code text The interior side and rear yard setback shall be five feet for a single-story accessory structure. Same interior side and rear setbacks as the main house. Applies: Two-story accessory structures, or those over 20 feet tall, in single-family residential zones. § 19.440.030 · code text The interior side and rear yard setback shall be the same as that which applies to primary structures for two-story accessory structures or accessory structures exceeding 20 feet in height. At least 5 feet from side and rear property lines. Applies: Accessory structures over 5 feet tall in single-family residential zones. § 19.440.030 · code text Any accessory structure over five feet in height shall be set back at least five feet from side and rear property lines. At least 5 feet from any rear or interior side lot line. Applies: Patio covers, which can be no more than 1 story. § 19.440.030 · code text Such structures shall not exceed more than one story in height and shall be erected at least five feet away from any rear or interior side lot line.
No permit needed up to	No building permit may be needed for 120 square feet or less. Applies: Single-story detached sheds or playhouses no taller than 10 feet, when the California Building Code exempts them. § 19.440.020 · code text Single-story, detached, accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, or similar use, may be exempt from building permits, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet and the height does not exceed ten feet and is specifically exempted by the California Building Code.
Distance from the house	At least 5 feet from the main building, or the Building Code distance if greater. Applies: Detached accessory structures. § 19.440.030 · code text Accessory structures shall be located a minimum of five feet from the principal building or the distance required by the Building Code, whichever is greater.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

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

In single-family zones, accessory structures are limited to 20 feet for 1 story and 30 feet for 2 stories (city rule).

General information, not legal advice.

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Riverside Municipal Code — full text