Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Westminster

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

What Westminster's code says

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet to the roof peak. Applies: Accessory buildings over 120 square feet or over 7 feet tall; not flat-roof, shed-roof or unroofed structures. § 17.400.130 · code text The maximum height of the building or structure shall not exceed 15 feet to the roof peak, except where structures contain a flat roof or shed roof, then the plate line shall not exceed 10 feet in height. No more than 10 feet to the plate line. Applies: Accessory structures over 120 square feet or over 7 feet tall, with a flat or shed roof. § 17.400.130 · code text The maximum height of the building or structure shall not exceed 15 feet to the roof peak, except where structures contain a flat roof or shed roof, then the plate line shall not exceed 10 feet in height. No more than 10 feet to the highest point. Applies: Structures without a roof, including play equipment. § 17.400.130 · code text For non-roofed structures, the maximum height shall be 10 feet to the highest portion of the structure, including, but not limited to, play equipment.
Size or lot coverage	Non-garage detached accessory structures may total no more than 200 square feet. Applies: Only if at least 1,000 square feet of connected open space remains in the rear yard. § 17.400.130 · code text The maximum cumulative area of a non-garage detached accessory structure(s) shall not exceed 200 square feet provided at least 1,000 square feet of contiguous open space remains in the rear yard.
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet from the interior side and rear property lines. Applies: Detached accessory structures over 120 square feet or over 7 feet tall, in the rear 1/3 of the lot. § 17.400.130 · code text A 3-foot setback shall be maintained from the interior side and rear property lines when a detached structure is located within the rear 1/3 of the lot. They must meet the side and rear setbacks for main buildings. Applies: Detached accessory structures in the front 2/3 of the lot. § 17.400.130 · code text Detached, accessory structures in the front 2/3 of the lot shall maintain side and rear setbacks established for main buildings. At least 15 feet from side and rear property lines. Applies: Decks, platforms, play areas, elevated playhouse or treehouse tops, pool slides and diving boards; not when neighbors are not zoned residential. § 17.400.130 · code text Any portion of an accessory structure designed as a deck, platform, or walking or play area, including the top portion of an elevated playhouse/treehouse or platform, swimming pool slide, diving board, must maintain a 15-foot side and rear setback.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from any home. Applies: Detached accessory structures. § 17.400.130 · code text The detached accessory structure shall maintain a minimum 6-foot separation from dwelling units.

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

Accessory structures over 120 square feet or 7 feet tall are limited to 15 feet to the peak, or 10 feet if flat-roofed.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Westminster

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What Westminster's code says

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