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San Jose · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Jose

In the R-1, R-2 and R-M districts, sloped-roof accessory buildings are limited to 16 feet if the mid-roof height is at most 12 feet.

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Key points

  • Accessory height: In the R-1, R-2 and R-M districts, sloped-roof accessory buildings are limited to 16 feet if the mid-roof height is at most 12 feet.

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

What San Jose's code says

San Jose code What San Jose's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 16 feet high.
    Applies: Sloped-roof accessory buildings in the R-1, R-2 and R-M districts, if the height halfway up the roof is no more than 12 feet.
    § 20.30.530 · code text
    no portion of the accessory building exceeds a maximum height of sixteen feet.
  • No more than 21 feet high.
    Applies: Solar panels on an accessory building, extending no more than 5 feet above the existing roof.
    § 20.30.530 · code text
    no portion of the solar photovoltaic system exceeds a maximum height of twenty-one feet.
Distance from the house
  • At least 6 feet from the walls of any other building on the property, including other accessory buildings.
    § 20.30.520 · code text
    The horizontal distance between any and all points between the building walls of any accessory building and the building walls of any other building on the property including any other accessory building(s) shall not be less than six feet.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

In the R-1, R-2 and R-M districts, sloped-roof accessory buildings are limited to 16 feet if the mid-roof height is at most 12 feet.

General information, not legal advice.

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

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