Sheds and accessory structures in San Clemente

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

What San Clemente's code says

San Clemente code What San Clemente's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet. Applies: Detached accessory buildings or structures in the front half of a residential lot. § 17.24.040 · code text Detached accessory structures in the front half of the lot shall not exceed 15 feet in height; No more than 15 feet. Applies: Detached accessory structures in the rear half of a residential lot. A Development or Cultural Heritage Permit may allow up to the zone limit. § 17.24.040 · code text Detached accessory structures shall have a maximum height of 15 feet, however; the height limit may be increased to the height limit of the zone with the approval of a Development Permit (Section 17.16.100) or Cultural Heritage Permit (Section 17.16.110). Up to the zone's height limit. Applies: Detached accessory buildings in the rear half of residential lots. Those in required setbacks need a Development or Cultural Heritage Permit to exceed 15 feet. § 17.24.040 · code text Detached accessory buildings in the rear half of the lot encroaching into required setbacks may be constructed over 15 feet high, up to the height limit of the zone with the approval of a Development Permit (Section 17.16.100) or Cultural Heritage Permit (Section 17.16.110). Up to the zone's height limit. Applies: Detached accessory buildings in the rear half of a residential lot that meet the zone's setbacks for the main building. § 17.24.040 · code text Detached accessory buildings in the rear one-half of the lot may be constructed up to the height limit of the zone if detached accessory buildings comply with required setbacks of the zoning district for the primary building.
Side and rear setback	Up to a property line; 1 such building on lots up to 6,000 square feet, 2 on larger lots. Applies: Detached buildings of 450 square feet or less in the rear half, not on a through lot. Two must be at least 10 feet apart. § 17.24.040 · code text A detached accessory building with 450 square feet or less floor area may encroach into the interior-side yard and/or rear yard setback of the zone up to a property line. Must meet the setbacks of the zone. Applies: Detached buildings over 450 square feet wholly in the rear half of a residential lot, not on a through lot. § 17.24.040 · code text A detached accessory building with over 450 square feet of floor area shall conform to the setbacks of the underlying zone. Must meet the zone's setbacks for the main building. Applies: Detached accessory structures wholly in the rear half of a residential lot, not on a through lot. § 17.24.040 · code text A detached accessory structure shall adhere to the setbacks of the zone for the primary building, except as modified by Table 17.24.080 B., Maximum Encroachments into Setbacks and Height Limits. At least 5 feet from the rear line. Applies: Corner or reverse corner lots, when the building is next to the front two-thirds of the neighboring key lot. § 17.24.040 · code text the rear setback for a detached accessory building/structure shall be five feet when the accessory building is adjacent to the front two-thirds of the adjacent key lot.
Distance from the house	At least 5 feet from the main building. Applies: Detached accessory buildings or structures in residential zones or on residential lots in mixed-use zones. § 17.24.040 · code text There shall be a five-foot minimum setback between an accessory building/structure and a primary building, measured at the closest distance between the wall or post of structures.

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How big can a shed or accessory building be in San Clemente?

Detached accessory buildings are limited to 15 feet; in the rear half, the zone limit applies if main-building setbacks are met.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Clemente

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