Hemet, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Hemet, 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
- Permit trigger
- Over 120 sq ft
- Small-structure setback
- 3 ft side/rear
- Garage/carport height cap
- 20 ft
- Shed/gazebo height cap
- 15 ft
- Max combined accessory area
- 50% of main structure
Summary
Sheds and other accessory structures in Hemet need a building permit once they top 120 square feet, and must sit at the zone's standard setback unless they're small, low, and not fixed to the ground.
An accessory structure greater than 120 square feet is required to obtain a building permit. ... Accessory structures less than 120 square feet in area and less than eight feet in height which are not permanently affixed to the ground may be located as close as three feet to interior side or rear property lines. ... Gazebo, greenhouse, playhouse, outdoor play equipment, stationary barbeque, storage shed, stationary compost bin, and other accessory structures: 15 feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 69 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 90-320, any accessory structure over 120 square feet requires a building permit and must meet the zone's regular setback and lot-coverage standards. Smaller, non-permanent structures, under 120 square feet and under eight feet tall, can sit as close as three feet to interior side or rear property lines, though never closer to the front line than the house itself. Height is capped by use: garages, carports, and portable covers top out at 20 feet; sheds, gazebos, greenhouses, playhouses, and similar structures at 15 feet; anything within five feet of a side or rear line drops to eight feet. Combined accessory-structure floor area can't exceed 50 percent of the principal structure's floor area without an administrative adjustment from the community development director.
Violations & Fines
Erecting a structure over 120 sq ft without a building permit, or placing one closer to a property line than Sec. 90-320 allows, is a zoning violation subject to code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard shed in Hemet?
How close to my property line can a shed sit in Hemet?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hemet
How Hemet compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·California rules heatmap·Compare Hemet to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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