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

1 (Accessory Structures and Room Additions) applies to sheds, detached garages, gazebos, cabanas, greenhouses, spas, studios, and similar structures accessory to a single-family detached dwelling or duplex; swimming pools and ADUs are exempt and follow their own sections. Table 25-7 splits accessory structures into three classes. A small accessory structure tops out at 7 feet in height and 60 square feet in floor area and must sit behind a solid fence at least 6 feet high, with no limit on rear-yard coverage. A large accessory structure can reach 16 feet with no size cap, but must sit within the rear half of the usable lot and is limited to 20 percent rear-yard coverage (footnote 1 allows up to 35 feet if it also meets every room-addition standard).

Setbacks scale with size: a small accessory structure needs zero feet from the interior side and rear property lines, while a large accessory structure needs 3 feet from the interior side (where not between the dwelling and the property line) and from the rear. Footnote 4 lets room additions and accessory structures together cover up to 30 percent of the rear yard when combined. Any accessory building sheltering animals faces added rules under subsection D: a private horse stable or paddock must sit at least 40 feet from any dwelling, 60 feet from the front property line, and 25 feet from side property lines. 11.