Monterey Park, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Monterey Park, 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
- Max size
- 120 square feet
- Max height
- 15 feet, one story
- Structures allowed
- One per residential unit
- Side/rear setback
- 5 feet from lot line
- Corner lot setback
- 25 feet from right-of-way
- Approval needed
- Site and elevation plan
- First-offense fine
- Up to $100
Summary
Monterey Park allows one detached accessory building per residential unit, capped at 120 square feet, one story, no more than 15 feet tall, kept out of the front yard, and set back at least five feet from rear or side lot lines, with a site plan required before it goes up.
(D) Accessory Building or Structure. In all residential zones, subject to the following standards: (1) A limit of one accessory building or structure shall be allowed per residential unit. ... (3) Must be a maximum of 120 square feet. (4) Must be one-story and not to exceed an overall height of 15 feet. ... (8) Cannot be permitted in any required front yard. (9) Unless otherwise provided, an accessory structure must maintain a minimum distance of five feet from any rear or side lot line or alley right-of-way line. On reverse corner lots and through lots shall be 25 feet from a public right-of-way, except as provided elsewhere. (10) A site plan and elevation plan must be submitted for approval.
Full Breakdown
Monterey Park Municipal Code Section 21.08.080(D) sets the standard for sheds, playhouses, and similar detached accessory buildings in every residential zone. Only one such structure is allowed per residential unit, it must be uninhabitable with no interior access from the main house and no kitchen facilities, and it cannot be rented or sold apart from the property. Size and height are capped: a maximum of 120 square feet of floor area and a single story not exceeding 15 feet in overall height, matching the definition in Section 21.04.018.
Placement is restricted too: the structure cannot go in any required front yard, and unless another provision says otherwise it must sit at least five feet from any rear or side lot line or alley right-of-way, a distance that grows to 25 feet from the public right-of-way on reverse corner lots and through lots. Before building, the owner must submit a site plan and elevation plan for city approval, a lighter review than a full building permit application but still a required step. Because the standard falls under Title 21's residential zoning chapter, a violation is treated as an infraction under Section 4.10.030(a)(7) rather than a straight misdemeanor, escalating in fine amount for repeat violations of the same rule within a year.
Violations & Fines
An accessory structure that exceeds 120 square feet, sits in the front yard, or ignores the five-foot setback violates Section 21.08.080(D) and is designated an infraction under Section 4.10.030(a)(7) because it falls under Title 21's residential zoning standards. Fines under Section 4.10.040 run $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each additional violation of the same provision within that year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a backyard shed be in Monterey Park?
Do I need a permit for a shed in Monterey Park?
How far from my property line must a shed sit in Monterey Park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Monterey Park
How Monterey Park compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·California rules heatmap·Compare Monterey Park to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Shed & Carport Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle shed & carport rules.