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Apple Valley, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Shed permit rules in Apple Valley, CA, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.

Key Facts

Small shed setback
5 ft from side/rear if ≤120 sq ft, ≤10 ft tall
Large shed setback
full district setback, min 10 ft rear
Size cap (single lot)
single shed ≤75% of house's roofed area
Combined cap
all accessory structures ≤100% of house area
Architectural review trigger
>120 sq ft or >8 ft tall
Height variance
Planning Commission Development Permit, Ch. 9.17
Metal exteriors
barred unless PC-approved or in R-A district

Summary

Apple Valley lets small sheds under 120 square feet and 10 feet tall sit as close as 5 feet to a side or rear lot line. Anything bigger must pull back to the full district setback in Table 9.28.040-A and stay at least 10 feet off the rear line, under Development Code § 9.29.020.

1.Nonhabitable accessory structures not exceeding one hundred twenty (120) square feet and not taller than ten (10) feet may be located to within five (5) feet of a side or rear property line, provided that no part of the structure is located within the required front yard or street side yard building setback or within a required easement. 2.The minimum distance from an accessory structure larger than one hundred twenty (120) square feet or taller than ten (10) feet in height to a side property line shall be equal to the required setbacks in Table 9.28.040-A ... and a minimum of ten (10) feet from a rear property line. ... C.Size. 1.The cumulative total of square footage of accessory structures ... shall not exceed the maximum lot coverage standard for the zoning district in which it is located.2.On residential lots less than two and one-half (2½) acres in size, any single accessory structure shall not exceed seventy-five (75) percent of the total area under roof of the primary structure. The total of all accessory structures on a site shall not exceed 100 percent of the total area under roof of the primary structure.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

020 of the Apple Valley Development Code sets the town's rules for sheds and other accessory structures in residential districts. A nonhabitable structure of 120 square feet or less that stands no taller than 10 feet can be built to within 5 feet of a side or rear property line, as long as no part of it sits in the required front or street-side setback or in a recorded easement. 040-A (Site Development Standards), and keep a minimum 10-foot rear setback. Size is capped two ways: every accessory structure on the lot, added to the house footprint, cannot exceed the zoning district's maximum lot coverage, and on lots under two and one-half acres, no single accessory building may exceed 75 percent of the primary residence's roofed area, with all accessory structures combined capped at 100 percent of that area.

Height is generally limited to the district maximum, and a shed in a single-family, equestrian, or multi-family district cannot exceed the height of the main house or 16 feet, whichever is less, for a one-story building. 17. Sheds over 120 square feet or 8 feet tall must also match the architectural style, color, and materials of the primary house, and metal exteriors on cargo containers, modified trailers, or similar structures are barred outright unless the Planning Commission approves cladding that emulates the main residence, or the shed sits in the Residential-Agriculture (R-A) district out of view from the street.

Violations & Fines

Building an oversized or misplaced accessory structure without the required Development Permit is enforced by the Town's Code Enforcement Division as a Municipal Code violation. Under § 1.01.200, a first violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and six months in County jail, or the Town may cite it as an infraction with escalating fines of $100, $200, and $500 for repeat violations within a year, plus abatement as a public nuisance under § 1.01.250.

Frequently Asked Questions

How close to my property line can I put a shed in Apple Valley?
If it's 120 square feet or smaller and no taller than 10 feet, you can build to within 5 feet of a side or rear line. Bigger or taller sheds must meet the full district setback in Table 9.28.040-A, with at least 10 feet from the rear line, per Development Code § 9.29.020.
How large can my shed be compared to my house?
On lots under two and one-half acres, no single accessory structure may exceed 75 percent of your house's total roofed area, and all accessory structures together cannot exceed 100 percent of it. Every accessory building also counts toward the district's overall lot-coverage maximum.
Can I put up a metal shed or shipping container?
Generally no. Metal exteriors on cargo containers, modified trailers, or similar prefab structures are prohibited unless the Planning Commission approves cladding that matches the main house, or the container sits in the Residential-Agriculture (R-A) district screened from public view.
Do I need Town approval for a tall shed?
Yes, if you want a shed taller than the district's standard accessory-structure height, which generally tops out at the lesser of the main house's height or 16 feet for a one-story building. That requires a Development Permit approved by the Planning Commission under Chapter 9.17.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Apple Valley

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