Inglewood, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Inglewood, 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-exempt size
- Up to 120 sq ft
- Height limit (fixed shed)
- 7 feet
- Height limit (portable)
- 10 feet
- Spacing from other structures
- 10 feet minimum
- No utilities allowed
- No plumbing or electrical
- Setback rule
- Cannot sit in required setback
Summary
Inglewood exempts small detached tool and storage sheds from building permits under an amended Building Code Section 105.2, but only if the structure stays under 120 square feet, tops out at 7 feet (10 feet if portable), sits outside required setbacks, skips plumbing and electrical, and is spaced 10 feet from other accessory structures.
One-story detached accessory structure used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet and 7 feet in maximum height, with the exception of temporary, portable, readily movable structures not exceeding 120 square feet and 10 feet in maximum height, as long as the structure: (a) is not located in required setbacks as determined by the Planning Department; (b) does not have plumbing and/or electrical installations; and/or (c) is separated by a minimum of 10 feet from any similar accessory structure on the same property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954608; v8 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
2, Work Exempt from Permit, Item 1, to define exactly when a detached tool shed, storage shed, or playhouse can be built without a permit. The floor area cap is 120 square feet and the maximum height is 7 feet for a standard structure. A temporary, portable, readily movable structure gets slightly more height, up to 10 feet, while keeping the same 120-square-foot footprint limit. Three conditions apply regardless of which height limit governs: the shed cannot sit in a required setback as determined by the Planning Department, it cannot have plumbing or electrical installations, and it must be separated by a minimum of 10 feet from any other similar accessory structure on the same property.
2. Because the setback determination is made by the Planning Department rather than a fixed dimension within this section, homeowners planning a shed close to a property line should confirm the applicable yard setback for their zone before building, since a shed that otherwise qualifies for the size exemption still loses it if placed in a required setback area.
Violations & Fines
Building an accessory shed larger than 120 square feet, taller than the applicable 7- or 10-foot limit, placed in a required setback, or wired for electrical or plumbing without first obtaining a Section 105.1 building permit is enforced as a misdemeanor under Section 1-18, punishable by up to a $500 fine or six months in jail, since accessory structure permitting is not on the City's infraction list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard storage shed in Inglewood?
How tall can a permit-exempt shed be in Inglewood?
Can I put a shed in my setback without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Inglewood
How Inglewood compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·California rules heatmap·Compare Inglewood to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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