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

030(D), "Accessory Structures," caps any single detached accessory structure at 800 square feet inside dimension, limits a lot to no more than three detached accessory structures, and holds height to one story and 17 feet. The combined floor area of every detached accessory structure on the lot cannot exceed 1,000 square feet, and any single structure's width cannot exceed half the width of the lot. A 1,000-square-foot usable open space must still be preserved in the required rear yard. No kitchens or food preparation fixtures are allowed inside, and plumbing is capped at a half bathroom, one water closet and one lavatory.

030(A)(2), but subsection D's exemption lifts that architectural-matching rule for one-story detached tool sheds, playhouses and similar structures so long as the roof area does not exceed 120 square feet and the structure sits to the rear and interior side of the main building. Placement rules require at least six feet of separation between a detached accessory building's walls and the main house or another accessory building, and four feet between eaves; if a shed sits closer than that, it is legally treated as attached and must meet main-building setbacks instead. Interior standards bar insulation or heating/cooling equipment in accessory structures, limit outlets to one per 10 feet of wall, and permit only non-egress windows.