Sheds and accessory structures in San Joaquin County

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Joaquin County

County rule: a single-story accessory building in a lot's rear 1/3 may be within 3 feet of rear or interior side lot lines. County rule: such a building must be at most 18 feet high, at least 10 feet from neighbors' homes, and not an ADU. County rule: covered patios, gazebos and pergolas open on 3 sides may cover at most 50% of required interior side or rear setbacks.

Key points

Near lot lines: County rule: a single-story accessory building in a lot's rear 1/3 may be within 3 feet of rear or interior side lot lines.

Conditions: County rule: such a building must be at most 18 feet high, at least 10 feet from neighbors' homes, and not an ADU.

Patios, gazebos: County rule: covered patios, gazebos and pergolas open on 3 sides may cover at most 50% of required interior side or rear setbacks.

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

What San Joaquin County's code says

San Joaquin County code What San Joaquin County's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 18 feet high. Applies: Single-story accessory buildings in the rear 1/3 of a lot, within 3 feet of the rear or interior side lot line. § 9-400.010 · code text Does not exceed 18 feet in height;
Size or lot coverage	No more than 50% of the required setback area. Applies: Covered patios, gazebos, pergolas and similar structures open on 3 sides that extend into a required interior side or rear setback. § 9-400.010 · code text Accessory structures, such as covered patios, gazebos, or pergolas, that are open on three sides, may encroach into a required interior side and rear setback, as long as such encroachment does not exceed 50 percent of the area of the required setback.
Side and rear setback	May be within 3 feet of the rear or interior side lot line. Applies: Single-story buildings in the rear 1/3 of a lot, at least 10 feet from neighbors' homes, at most 18 feet high, not ADUs. § 9-400.010 · code text Single-story accessory buildings that are located in the rear one-third of a lot may be located within three feet of the rear or interior side lot line, provided that the single-story accessory building is:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

General information, not legal advice.