Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Santa Cruz County

Table 13.10.611-2: Table 13.10.611-2: Permit Requirements, Size, Height, Stories, Total Number of, and Locational Regulations for Accessory Structures in Residential Zone Districts Note: In the Coastal Zone, a coastal development permit may be required per Chapter 13.20 SCCC. For regulations governing tiny homes, see SCCC § 13.10.680 and for ADUs, see SCCC § 13.10.681 . | | Non-Habitable | Habitable | | --- | --- | --- | | Height limit | Within the urban and rural services lines (USL/RSL): Detached garages: 16 feet All other accessory structures: 13 feet 1 Attached garages: see zone district height limit Outside the USL/RSL: see zone district height limit | Within the USL/RSL: 13 feet Outside the USL/RSL: see zone district height limit In any area: tiny homes subject to SCCC § 13.10.680 and ADUs subject to SCCC § 13.10.681 | | Size limit | Within the USL/RSL: 640 square feet Outside the USL/RSL: 1,000 square feet | Within the USL/RSL: 640 square feet Outside the USL/RSL: 1,000 square feet | | Permit required | Within the USL/RSL: building permit only for structures meeting height and size limits 1 Outside the USL/RSL: building permit only for up to 1,000-square-foot size, in compliance with zone district site development standards 1 | Within the USL/RSL: building permit only for structures meeting height and size limits 1 Outside the USL/RSL: building permit only for up to 1,000-square-foot size, in compliance with zone district site development standards 1 In any area: tiny homes subject to SCCC § 13.10.680 and ADUs subject to SCCC § 13.10.681 | | Permit required if exceeds size limits | Administrative site development permit | Administrative site development permit | | Permit required if exceeds maximum height or story limits | Variance (public hearing required) | Variance (public hearing required) | | Number of accessory structures allowed | No limit, if in compliance with the site regulations of the zone district; however, limits based on parcel size if accessory structure contains plumbing fixtures 2 | One with building permit only; two with conditional use and site development permit; more than two with Planning Commission public hearing and approval, with limits on plumbing fixtures 2 | | Locational restrictions related to the distance from the main residence and access to accessory structures | None, if in compliance with the site regulations of the zone district | In addition to the site regulations of the zone district, shall be no more than 100 feet from the main residence, shall not be accessed by a separate driveway or right-of-way, nor constructed on a slope greater than 30 percent, unless an administrative site development permit is obtained, or as otherwise permitted by County Code/Public Works Director | | 1. Non-habitable structures that do not exceed 120 square feet in size and a height of 10 feet above grade (as defined by the Zoning Ordinance) do not require a building permit. However, a plumbing or electrical permit is required for any plumbing fixtures and electricity, and a zoning permit may be required pursuant to Tables 13.10.611-1 and 13.10.611-2. | | --- | | 2. On parcels less than 10 acres, a maximum of one habitable or non-habitable accessory structure with any combination of toilet, lavatory sink, shower, and/or bathtub may be permitted consistent with Tables 13.10.611-1 and 13.10.611-2. On parcels 10 acres or larger, a maximum of two accessory structures with any combination of toilet, lavatory sink, shower, and/or bathtub may be permitted consistent with Tables 13.10.611-1 and 13.10.611-2. When two or more habitable accessory structures exist on a parcel, the second habitable accessory structure and any additional habitable accessory structures shall be considered bedrooms for the purpose of calculating fees and determining parking requirements. ADUs are regulated by SCCC § 13.10.681 . |

Within the urban and rural services lines (USL/RSL): Detached garages: 16 feet All other accessory structures: 13 feet 1 Attached garages: see zone district height limit Outside the USL/RSL: see zone district height limit

Within the USL/RSL: 13 feet Outside the USL/RSL: see zone district height limit In any area: tiny homes subject to SCCC § 13.10.680 and ADUs subject to SCCC § 13.10.681

Table 13.10.611-2: Table 13.10.611-2: Permit Requirements, Size, Height, Stories, Total Number of, and Locational Regulations for Accessory Structures in Residential Zone Districts Note: In the Coastal Zone, a coastal development permit may be required per Chapter 13.20 SCCC. For regulations governing tiny homes, see SCCC § 13.10.680 and for ADUs, see SCCC § 13.10.681 . | | Non-Habitable | Habitable | | --- | --- | --- | | Height limit | Within the urban and rural services lines (USL/RSL): Detached garages: 16 feet All other accessory structures: 13 feet 1 Attached garages: see zone district height limit Outside the USL/RSL: see zone district height limit | Within the USL/RSL: 13 feet Outside the USL/RSL: see zone district height limit In any area: tiny homes subject to SCCC § 13.10.680 and ADUs subject to SCCC § 13.10.681 | | Size limit | Within the USL/RSL: 640 square feet Outside the USL/RSL: 1,000 square feet | Within the USL/RSL: 640 square feet Outside the USL/RSL: 1,000 square feet | | Permit required | Within the USL/RSL: building permit only for structures meeting height and size limits 1 Outside the USL/RSL: building permit only for up to 1,000-square-foot size, in compliance with zone district site development standards 1 | Within the USL/RSL: building permit only for structures meeting height and size limits 1 Outside the USL/RSL: building permit only for up to 1,000-square-foot size, in compliance with zone district site development standards 1 In any area: tiny homes subject to SCCC § 13.10.680 and ADUs subject to SCCC § 13.10.681 | | Permit required if exceeds size limits | Administrative site development permit | Administrative site development permit | | Permit required if exceeds maximum height or story limits | Variance (public hearing required) | Variance (public hearing required) | | Number of accessory structures allowed | No limit, if in compliance with the site regulations of the zone district; however, limits based on parcel size if accessory structure contains plumbing fixtures 2 | One with building permit only; two with conditional use and site development permit; more than two with Planning Commission public hearing and approval, with limits on plumbing fixtures 2 | | Locational restrictions related to the distance from the main residence and access to accessory structures | None, if in compliance with the site regulations of the zone district | In addition to the site regulations of the zone district, shall be no more than 100 feet from the main residence, shall not be accessed by a separate driveway or right-of-way, nor constructed on a slope greater than 30 percent, unless an administrative site development permit is obtained, or as otherwise permitted by County Code/Public Works Director | | 1. Non-habitable structures that do not exceed 120 square feet in size and a height of 10 feet above grade (as defined by the Zoning Ordinance) do not require a building permit. However, a plumbing or electrical permit is required for any plumbing fixtures and electricity, and a zoning permit may be required pursuant to Tables 13.10.611-1 and 13.10.611-2. | | --- | | 2. On parcels less than 10 acres, a maximum of one habitable or non-habitable accessory structure with any combination of toilet, lavatory sink, shower, and/or bathtub may be permitted consistent with Tables 13.10.611-1 and 13.10.611-2. On parcels 10 acres or larger, a maximum of two accessory structures with any combination of toilet, lavatory sink, shower, and/or bathtub may be permitted consistent with Tables 13.10.611-1 and 13.10.611-2. When two or more habitable accessory structures exist on a parcel, the second habitable accessory structure and any additional habitable accessory structures shall be considered bedrooms for the purpose of calculating fees and determining parking requirements. ADUs are regulated by SCCC § 13.10.681 . |

Table 13.10.611-2: Table 13.10.611-2: Permit Requirements, Size, Height, Stories, Total Number of, and Locational Regulations for Accessory Structures in Residential Zone Districts Note: In the Coastal Zone, a coastal development permit may be required per Chapter 13.20 SCCC. For regulations governing tiny homes, see SCCC § 13.10.680 and for ADUs, see SCCC § 13.10.681 . | | Non-Habitable | Habitable | | --- | --- | --- | | Height limit | Within the urban and rural services lines (USL/RSL): Detached garages: 16 feet All other accessory structures: 13 feet 1 Attached garages: see zone district height limit Outside the USL/RSL: see zone district height limit | Within the USL/RSL: 13 feet Outside the USL/RSL: see zone district height limit In any area: tiny homes subject to SCCC § 13.10.680 and ADUs subject to SCCC § 13.10.681 | | Size limit | Within the USL/RSL: 640 square feet Outside the USL/RSL: 1,000 square feet | Within the USL/RSL: 640 square feet Outside the USL/RSL: 1,000 square feet | | Permit required | Within the USL/RSL: building permit only for structures meeting height and size limits 1 Outside the USL/RSL: building permit only for up to 1,000-square-foot size, in compliance with zone district site development standards 1 | Within the USL/RSL: building permit only for structures meeting height and size limits 1 Outside the USL/RSL: building permit only for up to 1,000-square-foot size, in compliance with zone district site development standards 1 In any area: tiny homes subject to SCCC § 13.10.680 and ADUs subject to SCCC § 13.10.681 | | Permit required if exceeds size limits | Administrative site development permit | Administrative site development permit | | Permit required if exceeds maximum height or story limits | Variance (public hearing required) | Variance (public hearing required) | | Number of accessory structures allowed | No limit, if in compliance with the site regulations of the zone district; however, limits based on parcel size if accessory structure contains plumbing fixtures 2 | One with building permit only; two with conditional use and site development permit; more than two with Planning Commission public hearing and approval, with limits on plumbing fixtures 2 | | Locational restrictions related to the distance from the main residence and access to accessory structures | None, if in compliance with the site regulations of the zone district | In addition to the site regulations of the zone district, shall be no more than 100 feet from the main residence, shall not be accessed by a separate driveway or right-of-way, nor constructed on a slope greater than 30 percent, unless an administrative site development permit is obtained, or as otherwise permitted by County Code/Public Works Director | | 1. Non-habitable structures that do not exceed 120 square feet in size and a height of 10 feet above grade (as defined by the Zoning Ordinance) do not require a building permit. However, a plumbing or electrical permit is required for any plumbing fixtures and electricity, and a zoning permit may be required pursuant to Tables 13.10.611-1 and 13.10.611-2. | | --- | | 2. On parcels less than 10 acres, a maximum of one habitable or non-habitable accessory structure with any combination of toilet, lavatory sink, shower, and/or bathtub may be permitted consistent with Tables 13.10.611-1 and 13.10.611-2. On parcels 10 acres or larger, a maximum of two accessory structures with any combination of toilet, lavatory sink, shower, and/or bathtub may be permitted consistent with Tables 13.10.611-1 and 13.10.611-2. When two or more habitable accessory structures exist on a parcel, the second habitable accessory structure and any additional habitable accessory structures shall be considered bedrooms for the purpose of calculating fees and determining parking requirements. ADUs are regulated by SCCC § 13.10.681 . |

If built in coastal high hazard areas, be less than 100 square feet in area and constructed with breakaway walls.

Non-habitable structures that do not exceed 120 square feet in size and a height of 10 feet above grade (as defined by the Zoning Ordinance) do not require a building permit.