Skip to content

San Francisco · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Francisco

Detached structures in required side and rear yards: at most 10 feet high and 120 square feet combined, without sleeping quarters or full kitchens.

Ask about sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Francisco See coverage

Key points

  • Yard structures: Detached structures in required side and rear yards: at most 10 feet high and 120 square feet combined, without sleeping quarters or full kitchens.

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

What San Francisco's code says

San Francisco code What San Francisco's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 10 feet above grade, to the top of the structure.
    Applies: Detached structures in required side and rear yards; no sleeping quarters or full kitchens; combined 120 square feet or less.
    § 136 · code text
    One or more detached structures, which may not include sleeping quarters or full kitchens, but may include bathrooms and wetbars, if no more than 10 feet in height above grade, as measured to the top of the structure
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 120 square feet combined, measured at grade.
    Applies: Detached structures in a required yard, at most 10 feet tall, without sleeping quarters or full kitchens. An extra 1-foot roof eave may be allowed.
    § 136 · code text
    covering no more than a combined 120 square feet as measured at grade
  • No more than 60 square feet of land.
    Applies: Garden structures walled on no more than 50% of the perimeter, no more than 8 feet tall, in required yards and usable open space.
    § 136 · code text
    if no more than eight feet in height above grade and covering no more than 60 square feet of land
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from any interior side lot line.
    Applies: Decks or building extensions in the required rear yard taller than 10 feet, up to the second floor level. Not detached structures.
    § 136 · code text
    in which case the structure shall be no closer than five feet to any interior side lot line
  • Not within the rear 15 feet of the lot depth.
    Applies: Underground garages, or garages under decks, in required yards, if their tops are usable open space.
    § 136 · code text
    provided that no such garage shall occupy any area within the rear 15 feet of the depth of the lot

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Detached structures in required side and rear yards: at most 10 feet high and 120 square feet combined, without sleeping quarters or full kitchens.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific San Francisco property

Ask GoCodebook how San Francisco'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 San Francisco

All building on your lot rules in San Francisco

Running a business from home in San Francisco

San Francisco Planning Code — full text