Gilbert, AZ Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Gilbert, AZ, 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
- Max accessory structure height
- 30 feet (SF-43)
- Number of structures allowed
- Unlimited
- Default setback
- Same as primary structure
- Rear 2/3 reduced setback
- 5 ft under 10 ft tall
- Setback step-up
- +1 ft per ft of height over 10 ft
- Lot coverage bonus
- +5% for open-air structures (§3.2.5.F)
Summary
In Gilbert's SF-43 single-family district, the Land Development Code lets you build an unlimited number of detached accessory structures like sheds and workshops, but caps them at 30 feet tall and ties every one to the same setbacks as the house unless it sits in the rear two-thirds of the lot, where a reduced 5-foot setback applies only under 10 feet in height.
Table 3.2.4.A.2 SF-43 Accessory Structures (no Living Quarters): Construction — During or after the primary structure/use construction. Number — Unlimited. Utilities — From the primary service. Location — Within the building envelope or Within a required side or rear building setback if within the rear 2/3 of the lot. Lot Coverage — Sum of bldg. footprints counts toward the max. lot coverage. Required Setback — Same as primary structure unless located within the rear 2/3 of the lot then < 10 ft in height, 5 ft setback; > 10 ft in height, for each ft above 10 ft add one additional foot in setback. Max. Height (ft.) — 30.
Full Breakdown
minimum lot area). Construction can happen during or after the primary home is built, and the number of accessory structures on a lot is unlimited. Utilities must run from the primary residence's service rather than a separate connection. Placement is restricted to the building envelope, or to a required side or rear setback only if the structure falls within the rear two-thirds of the lot. Where that reduced setback applies, structures under 10 feet tall need only a 5-foot setback; every foot of height above 10 feet adds one more foot of required setback, and the maximum height for an accessory structure in SF-43 is capped at 30 feet: five feet lower than the 35-foot/2-story limit allowed for the primary dwelling.
A). F grants 5% additional lot coverage above the base standard specifically for open-air accessory structures, open-air attached patios, and open-air porches, and an extra 10% for homes over 20 years old to encourage redevelopment. Swimming pools, walls/fences, and sports court lighting tied to an accessory structure are governed separately under LDC Site Regulations, and any land use conducted inside one (a home occupation, animal keeping, temporary structure) falls under Supplemental Use Regulations, not this table.
Violations & Fines
Accessory structures that exceed the 30-foot height cap, sit outside the building envelope without qualifying for the reduced rear-setback allowance, or push total lot coverage past the district maximum violate the Zoning Code. LDC §1.8.A carries forward pre-existing violations as continuing violations "subject to penalties and enforcement under Enforcement," and the Town's Zoning Administrator is the official charged with interpreting and applying these standards (LDC §1.9).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sheds can I build on my SF-43 lot in Gilbert?
How tall can a backyard shed be in Gilbert's SF-43 district?
Do I get a setback break for a shed in my backyard?
Does a shed count toward my lot coverage limit in Gilbert?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gilbert
How Gilbert compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Gilbert to another location·View the Arizona accessory structures overview
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