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Thousand Oaks · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Thousand Oaks

In R Zones, Thousand Oaks limits an accessory building, not counting ADUs, to 600 square feet and 50% of the main building's footprint. In R Zones, all accessory buildings on a lot together, not counting ADUs, are limited to 100% of the main building's footprint.

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Key points

  • Accessory buildings: In R Zones, Thousand Oaks limits an accessory building, not counting ADUs, to 600 square feet and 50% of the main building's footprint.
  • Total floor area: In R Zones, all accessory buildings on a lot together, not counting ADUs, are limited to 100% of the main building's footprint.

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

What Thousand Oaks's code says

Thousand Oaks code What Thousand Oaks's code adds
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 600 square feet of floor area.
    Applies: Accessory buildings in all R zones, not counting accessory dwelling units.
    § 9-4.2509.5 · code text
    Accessory buildings, excluding any secondary residential accessory dwelling units authorized by Article 45, in all R Zones shall not have a floor area in excess of six hundred (600) square feet
  • No more than 50% of the footprint of the main building.
    Applies: Each accessory building in any R zone, unless allowed by a planned development permit (RPD, HPD) or administrative approval (R-A, R-E, R-O, R-1, R-2).
    § 9-4.2509.5 · code text
    nor shall any accessory building in any R Zone have a floor area in excess of fifty (50%) percent of the footprint of the principal or main building unless otherwise authorized as part of a residential planned development permit in the RPD and HPD zones or subject to the approval of an Administrative Approval in the R-A, R-E, R-O, R-1 and R-2 Zones in accordance with Section 9-4.2815.
  • Total floor area no more than 100% of the main building's footprint.
    Applies: All accessory buildings on one lot in any R zone, not counting accessory dwelling units.
    § 9-4.2509.5 · code text
    Cumulative floor area of accessory buildings in any R Zone exclusive of accessory dwelling units pursuant to Article 45 shall not exceed one hundred (100%) percent of the footprint of the principal or main building on a single lot or parcel of land.
  • Exempt from the size limits for accessory buildings.
    Applies: Estate lots of 5 acres or more in R-A, R-E, R-O and R-1 zones; ADU size limits still apply.
    § 9-4.2509.5 · code text
    Estate lots in the R-A, R-E, R-O and R-1 Zones which are five (5) acres in size or greater shall be considered exempt from area requirements for accessory buildings except for area requirements applicable to accessory dwelling units pursuant to Article 45.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Thousand Oaks?

In R Zones, Thousand Oaks limits an accessory building, not counting ADUs, to 600 square feet and 50% of the main building's footprint. In R Zones, all accessory buildings on a lot together, not counting ADUs, are limited to 100% of the main building's footprint.

General information, not legal advice.

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

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Thousand Oaks Municipal Code — full text