Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Marino

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

What San Marino's code says

San Marino code What San Marino's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 16 feet high. Applies: Detached garages or accessory buildings without a second story of livable area. § 23.06.05 · code text No detached garage or accessory building shall exceed a height of sixteen feet (16'), except where supplied with a second story consisting of livable area. No more than 30 feet high. Applies: Detached garages or accessory buildings with a second story of livable area. § 23.06.05 · code text In such case, the height shall not exceed thirty feet (30').
Size or lot coverage	600 square feet. Larger needs a conditional use permit. Applies: Accessory buildings with livable area: total lot coverage or total livable area. § 23.06.05 · code text Accessory buildings containing livable area, which exceed six hundred (600) square feet in total lot coverage and/or total livable area require a conditional use permit. 720 square feet. Larger needs a conditional use permit. Applies: Garages with storage, a workshop or similar non-livable area: total lot coverage. § 23.06.05 · code text Garages containing storage area, a workshop, or similar nonlivable area which exceeds seven hundred twenty (720) square feet in total lot coverage require a conditional use permit. No more than 1/3 of the rear yard area. Applies: Garages and other accessory buildings. § 23.06.05 · code text Garages and other accessory buildings shall not occupy more than one-third (1/3) of the total area of the rear yard.
Side and rear setback	At least 2 feet from the side and rear property lines. Applies: Detached garages with no livable area, in the rear yard. § 23.06.05 · code text A detached garage that does not contain any livable area may be permitted to occupy the rear yard and shall have a setback of at least two feet (2') from the side and rear property lines. At least 5 feet from the side and rear property lines. Applies: All other accessory buildings without livable area, unless a conditional use permit is obtained. § 23.06.05 · code text Unless having first obtained a conditional use permit, all other accessory buildings that do not contain livable area shall have a setback of at least five feet (5') from the side and rear property lines.
Distance from the house	At least 10 feet from any other building on the same lot. Applies: Detached garages or other accessory buildings. § 23.06.05 · code text No detached garage or other accessory building shall be located less than ten feet (10') from any other building on the same lot.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Detached garages and accessory buildings are limited to 16 feet, or 30 feet with a livable second story, and 1/3 of the rear yard.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Marino

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What San Marino's code says

Who this affects

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