Shed permit rules in Brentwood, CA — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
Brentwood follows the California Building Code exemption allowing detached accessory structures under 120 square feet to be built without a building permit. Sheds must still comply with zoning setbacks, height limits, and HOA rules. Structures over 120 sq ft or with utilities require a building permit and Community Development review.
California Building Code Section 105.2 exempts one-story detached accessory structures not exceeding 120 square feet in floor area from building permit requirements, and Brentwood follows this statewide standard. Even exempt sheds must comply with Brentwood zoning: typical residential zones allow accessory structures in rear and side yards only, with minimum 3- to 5-foot setbacks from side and rear property lines and a maximum height of roughly 8 to 10 feet at the ridge. Sheds larger than 120 square feet, any shed with plumbing or electrical service, and any shed used for habitation trigger full building permit review including plan check, structural review, and inspections. Placement cannot encroach on easements, drainage swales, or setback areas, and the shed cannot be closer to the front property line than the main dwelling. Accessory structures exceeding 15 feet in height may be treated as second stories for zoning purposes. HOAs in master-planned Brentwood communities frequently add restrictions on color, material (often requiring matching roof and wall treatment), and placement visibility from the street. A shed may not be used as a separate dwelling unit; that requires an ADU permit under AB 68/881.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Contra Costa County.
See how other cities in Contra Costa County handle shed rules.
See how Brentwood's shed rules rules stack up against other locations.
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