Shed permit rules in San Mateo County, CA — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Small accessory structures (sheds) in unincorporated San Mateo County must comply with zoning setbacks. Sheds under 120 sq ft generally do not require a building permit but must comply with zoning requirements.
San Mateo County Zoning Ordinance requires accessory structures in residential zones to maintain required setbacks from property lines (typically 4 feet from rear and side boundaries). Small prefabricated sheds under 120 sq ft and under 8 feet average height are generally exempt from building permit requirements but must comply with zoning setbacks and cannot be habitable without an ADU permit. Structures in the Coastal Zone or on hillsides may have additional requirements. Contact Planning & Building at (650) 363-4161.
Unpermitted structure: retroactive permit with penalty. Non-compliant setback: modification or removal. Habitation violation: immediate correction.
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See how San Mateo County's shed rules rules stack up against other locations.
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