Modesto, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Modesto, 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
- Code Section
- Modesto MC section 10-4.114
- Max Height
- 16 ft / 1 story
- Side/Rear Setback (>120 sq ft)
- 4 ft
- Side/Rear Setback (<=120 sq ft)
- 0 ft
- Distance from Main House
- 5 ft minimum
- Max Floor Area
- 400 to 1,000 sq ft (by lot size)
Summary
Modesto MC section 10-4.114 governs detached accessory buildings (sheds, workshops, gazebos, detached garages) on single-family residential lots, limiting them to one story / 16 ft and 4 ft side/rear setbacks. Sheds 120 sq ft or smaller may sit on the property line. Lot-coverage caps scale with lot size from 400 to 1,000 sq ft.
Section 10-4.114 Accessory Buildings: Front setback 25 feet; Street side 15 feet; Side and Rear: 0 feet for structures 120 sq ft or less, 4 feet minimum for structures over 120 sq ft, 5 feet minimum distance from main house; Height: 1 story / 16 feet maximum. Maximum floor area by lot size: under 5,000 sq ft - 400 sq ft; 5,000 to 10,000 sq ft - 600 sq ft; 10,000 to 20,000 sq ft - 800 sq ft; 20,000+ sq ft - 1,000 sq ft.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 71).
Full Breakdown
114 (Accessory Buildings) sets the development standards for detached accessory structures other than ADUs in R-1 and other zones with single-family dwellings. Front setback is 25 ft; street side setback is 15 ft. Structures 120 sq ft or less may be placed with zero side and rear yard setback; structures larger than 120 sq ft require 4 ft side and rear setbacks and must stand at least 5 ft from the main house. Maximum height is one story or 16 ft. Maximum cumulative floor area scales with lot size: 400 sq ft on lots under 5,000 sq ft; 600 sq ft on lots 5,000 to 10,000 sq ft; 800 sq ft on lots 10,000 to 20,000 sq ft; and 1,000 sq ft on lots over 20,000 sq ft.
The California Building Code (Title 24) and Modesto Title 8 also require a building permit for any accessory structure exceeding 120 sq ft (Health & Safety Code section 18938; CBC appendix R107).
Violations & Fines
Building a shed without required permits, or in violation of the setback/height/size standards in section 10-4.114, is subject to Modesto's code enforcement process under Title 1 Chapter 6, including administrative citations and abatement orders requiring removal or relocation of the structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a small shed right on my property line in Modesto?
Do I need a building permit for a backyard shed?
How big can my shed be on a typical Modesto lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Modesto
How Modesto compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·California rules heatmap·Compare Modesto to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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