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Visalia · Building on your lot

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Visalia

In R-S single-family zones, Visalia limits accessory structures in the required rear yard to 12 feet, at least 3 feet from any lot line.

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Key points

  • Accessory structures: In R-S single-family zones, Visalia limits accessory structures in the required rear yard to 12 feet, at least 3 feet from any lot line.

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

What Visalia's code says

Visalia code What Visalia's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 12 feet.
    Applies: For accessory structures in the required rear yard in R-S single-family residential zones.
    § 17.12.100 · code text
    Accessory structures not exceeding twelve (12) feet may be located in the required rear yard but not closer than three feet to any lot line provided that not more than twenty (20) percent of the area of the required rear yard shall be covered by structures enclosed on more than one side and not more than forty (40) percent may be covered by structures enclosed on only one side.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 20% of the required rear yard.
    Applies: In R-S zones, for structures enclosed on more than 1 side.
    § 17.12.100 · code text
    not more than twenty (20) percent of the area of the required rear yard shall be covered by structures enclosed on more than one side
  • No more than 40% of the required rear yard.
    Applies: In R-S zones, for structures enclosed on only 1 side.
    § 17.12.100 · code text
    not more than forty (40) percent may be covered by structures enclosed on only one side.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 3 feet from any lot line.
    Applies: In R-S zones, for accessory structures up to 12 feet tall in the required rear yard.
    § 17.12.100 · code text
    Accessory structures not exceeding twelve (12) feet may be located in the required rear yard but not closer than three feet to any lot line provided that not more than twenty (20) percent of the area of the required rear yard shall be covered by structures enclosed on more than one side and not more than forty (40) percent may be covered by structures enclosed on only one side.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

In R-S single-family zones, Visalia limits accessory structures in the required rear yard to 12 feet, at least 3 feet from any lot line.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Visalia property

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

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Visalia Municipal Code — full text