Sheds and accessory structures in Ventura County

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

What Ventura County's code says

Ventura County code What Ventura County's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet. Applies: In the coastal zone, for detached non-living accessory structures in interior side or rear setbacks. § 8175-4.1 · code text In no case shall any such structure exceed fifteen (15) feet in height. No more than 15 feet. Applies: Detached non-living structure in 1 front setback of a large through lot, at least 10 feet from the nearest front property line. § 8106-5.2 · code text A detached accessory structure not used for human habitation and not exceeding fifteen (15) feet in height may be located in one (1) of the required front setbacks on a large through lot, as described in Section 8106-4.4 of this Chapter
Size or lot coverage	May cover no more than 40% of the rear setback area. Applies: In the coastal zone, for detached accessory structures in the rear setback. § 8175-4.1 · code text In no case shall any such structure(s) occupy more than forty percent (40%) of the rear setback area. May cover no more than 40% of the rear setback area. Applies: Below-grade, uncovered pools, spas, hot tubs and similar structures with water 18 inches deep or more are not counted. § 8106-5.1 · code text Any such accessory structure(s) shall not occupy more than forty (40) percent of the rear setback area. This standard does not apply to below-grade, uncovered swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, and similar structures (having a water depth of eighteen (18) inches or more).
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet from interior and rear lot lines. Applies: In the coastal zone, for detached accessory structures not used for living. § 8175-4.1 · code text Detached accessory structures that are not used for human habitation may be constructed to within three (3) feet of interior and rear lot lines, provided that: At least 10 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: In the coastal zone, on through lots, unless another rule applies. § 8175-4.1 · code text On through lots, said structures may be located no closer than ten (10) feet (six (6) feet in the RBH Zone) to the rear lot line, except as specified otherwise in Section 8175-4.15. At least 6 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: In the coastal zone, on through lots in the RBH Zone. § 8175-4.1 · code text On through lots, said structures may be located no closer than ten (10) feet (six (6) feet in the RBH Zone) to the rear lot line, except as specified otherwise in Section 8175-4.15.
No permit needed up to	Up to 400 square feet of total floor area, exempt from a coastal development permit only. Applies: Coastal lots with an existing single-family home; not for living. Not on beaches, in ESHA, near bluffs or on slopes over 20%. § 8174-6.2.5 · code text The accessory structure does not exceed four hundred (400) square feet in aggregate in gross floor area;

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How big can a shed or accessory building be in Ventura County?

In the coastal zone, Ventura County limits detached non-living accessory structures in interior side or rear setbacks to 15 feet.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Ventura County

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What Ventura County's code says

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