Chico, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Chico, 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
- Side setback
- 3 feet minimum
- Rear setback
- 5 feet (0 ft. near alley)
- Height cap
- 15 ft.; 25 ft. with use permit
- Size cap
- 25% of main structure's floor area
Summary
Storage sheds and similar detached accessory structures on Chico single-family lots need 3-foot side, 10-foot street-side, and 5-foot rear setbacks, and can't sit in a front setback or within 10 feet of the street property line.
TABLE 5-9 REQUIRED SETBACKS FOR DETACHED ACCESSORY USES AND STRUCTURES -- Single-Family Detached Homes: Gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed, workshop, recreation room -- Side: 3 ft. Street side: 10 ft. or as required for main structure. Rear: 5 ft.; 0 ft. for structures adjacent to an alley. Height Limits: 15 ft.; 25 ft. with use permit approval. Size Limits: 25% of the size of the main structure. No accessory structures shall be located in a front yard setback or closer than 10 feet from any property line adjoining a public street.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Supplement contains local legislation current through: Codified Resolution No. 53-26, adopted 7-14-26 and Ordinance No. 2622, adopted 6-2-26).
Full Breakdown
Under Table 5-9 of Chico Municipal Code § 19.76.020(D), a detached storage shed (grouped with gazebos, trellises, greenhouses, patio covers, workshops, and recreation rooms) on a single-family lot must sit at least 3 feet from a side property line, 10 feet from a street-side line (or as required for the main structure), and 5 feet from the rear line (0 feet if adjacent to an alley). Height is capped at 15 feet, 25 feet with use permit approval, and floor area can't exceed 25% of the main dwelling's size. No accessory structure may sit in the front setback or within 10 feet of a street-facing property line.
Violations & Fines
Building a shed that violates a required setback, height, or size limit is a zoning violation, subject to code enforcement correction, an administrative citation, or removal under Chapter 19.76's accessory-structure standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to my property line can I put a storage shed in Chico?
How tall can a backyard shed be in Chico?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
How Chico compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·California rules heatmap·Compare Chico to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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