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Santee · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Santee

Accessory structures in side or rear yards: at most 16 feet, 1 story; detached ones total at most 50% of the home's living area.

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Key points

  • Accessory structures: Accessory structures in side or rear yards: at most 16 feet, 1 story; detached ones total at most 50% of the home's living area.

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

What Santee's code says

Santee code What Santee's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 16 feet and 1 story.
    Applies: Attached or detached accessory structures that extend into a required interior side or rear yard.
    § 13.10.050 · code text
    The maximum height for accessory structures is 16 feet (one story).
  • No more than 16 feet or the roofline of the single-story home, whichever is lower.
    Applies: Structures in the front yard or exterior side yards.
    § 13.10.050 · code text
    The maximum height shall not exceed 16 feet or the roofline of the single-story residence, whichever is lower.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 50% of the main home's living area.
    Applies: All detached accessory structures with an existing single-family home combined.
    § 13.10.050 · code text
    The maximum allowable gross floor area for all detached residential accessory structures in conjunction with an existing single-family residence shall not exceed 50% of the living area of the primary residence.
  • A 400-square-foot detached garage is always allowed.
    Applies: If there is no garage on the site now.
    § 13.10.050 · code text
    A 400-square-foot detached garage is permitted in all cases if a garage does not currently exist on site.
  • No more than 170 square feet each.
    Applies: Structures in the front yard or exterior side yards.
    § 13.10.050 · code text
    The maximum allowable gross floor area shall not exceed 170 square feet for each structure.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: Attached or detached accessory structures; eave overhang not counted.
    § 13.10.050 · code text
    Attached or detached residential accessory structures or additions may be located five feet from the rear property line, excluding eave overhang.
  • At least 5 feet from the interior side property line.
    Applies: Attached or detached accessory structures; eave overhang not counted.
    § 13.10.050 · code text
    Attached or detached residential accessory structures may be located five feet from the side interior property line, excluding eave overhang.
  • At least 5 feet from the exterior and interior side property lines.
    Applies: All front yard accessory structures.
    § 13.10.050 · code text
    All front yard accessory structures shall provide a minimum five-foot setback from the exterior and interior side property lines.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Santee?

Accessory structures in side or rear yards: at most 16 feet, 1 story; detached ones total at most 50% of the home's living area.

General information, not legal advice.

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Santee Municipal Code — full text