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

Section C.2.020 of the Milpitas Municipal Code applies to detached roofed accessory structures, including garages, carports, sheds, workshops, gazebos, greenhouses, pool houses, and covered patios, as well as unroofed structures over 18 inches high such as decks and trellises. A shed can only be built on a lot that already has a main dwelling, and it must generally sit on the rear half of the lot, at least six feet from any existing or under-construction dwelling on the same lot, and, in the R1 and R2 zones, at least 14 feet from a residential structure on an adjacent lot.

Setback rules keep a detached shed at least three feet from a rear lot line or from a side lot line along the rear half of an adjoining lot, and at least seven feet from a side lot line along that lot's front half; eaves may come no closer than three feet to a side or rear line. Coverage is capped separately: all accessory buildings and structures sitting in the required rear setback area, combined with certain building additions, cannot exceed 30 percent of that rear setback area's total size.

Sheds and other accessory buildings must otherwise meet the development standards of whatever base zone they sit in under Part XIII-B, and fences and walls enclosing a shed are regulated separately under Section C.2.040 rather than this section.