Aliso Viejo, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Aliso Viejo Municipal Code § 15.14.060 covers storage sheds, playhouses and similar enclosed yard buildings on common residential lots or lots with a primary residence. The code defines a yard building as any detached enclosed building over 18 inches in height placed within required yard setbacks, including storage sheds, garden sheds and enclosed playhouses. Attached enclosed patios, sunrooms, service porches and other attached rooms are not yard buildings and conform to the same setback and height regulations as the main building.

For side and rear yards, a yard building under six feet in height can be located up to the property line, subject to building or fire code limitations. A yard building six feet in height or over must be at least three feet from the property line and cannot exceed eight feet in height. Outside a setback, a yard building can rise to the district's maximum structure height in Table 15.10.030. In front yards, a yard building cannot be closer to the front property line than the front wall of the main building. On common lots, a building under six feet high can go up to any property line, while one six feet or over stays at least three feet from every property line and under the eight foot cap.

Number and size are fixed: no more than two yard buildings on any residential lot, and no yard building over 200 square feet in ground area. No deck or viewing area can go on the roof of a yard building without an exception permit under AVMC 15.74.070, and rooftop water cannot drain onto an adjacent parcel. An increase of up to three feet in height for a yard building within a setback is possible with an exception permit under the same section. Patio covers and other open yard structures follow the separate rules in § 15.14.050.