Shed permit rules in Alameda, CA — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Storage sheds are 'accessory buildings' under Alameda Municipal Code Section 30-5. They may sit in required side and rear yards but cannot exceed one story (10 ft sidewall, 15 ft at the ridge), may cover no more than 600 sq ft or 60% of the required rear yard (whichever is greater), and must keep a 6-ft separation from other buildings.
Under AMC Section 30-5, sheds and similar structures are treated as accessory buildings and may be located within minimum required side and rear yards subject to specific limits. Height: an accessory building shall not exceed one story and shall not exceed 10 feet at the top of a parapet or where the side elevation meets the roof; the ridge may reach up to 15 feet (but the 15-ft ridge cannot extend along the entire front or rear elevation), and front/rear parapets may reach 12 feet. Coverage: an accessory building shall not cover more than 600 sq ft or 60% of the minimum required rear yard, whichever is greater. Setbacks: if located less than 75 feet from the front property line, the building must observe a 5-foot side setback; if 75 feet or more from the front line, it may be built to the interior side property line provided all construction within 3 feet of the line is one-hour fire-resistive as approved by the Building Official. Similar rules allow building to the rear line with one-hour fire-resistive construction. There must be at least 6 feet of separation between the accessory building and the main building or other accessory buildings, reducible with fire-resistive construction. A building permit is required; verify your specific zoning district.
Sheds exceeding the size, coverage, height, or setback limits, or built within 3 feet of a property line without one-hour fire-resistive construction, can be cited and ordered modified or removed. A building permit is required.
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