Murrieta, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Murrieta, 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 shed size
- Under 120 sq ft
- Max single detached structure
- 1,000 sq ft
- Combined structure cap
- 40% of required rear yard
- Setback, shed over 120 sq ft
- 5 ft (10 ft near street)
- Setback, shed under 120 sq ft
- 3 ft to furthest projection
- Height limit
- Not to exceed main residence
Summary
Murrieta lets homeowners skip a building permit for a portable storage shed under 120 square feet, but Section 16.44.150 still caps detached accessory structures at 1,000 square feet and sets exact setbacks by shed size in Table 16.44.150-1.
The floor area of a single detached accessory structure shall not exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet, nor shall the sum of the floor area(s) of the total number of detached accessory structures exceed 40 percent, of the required rear yard of the parcel. A covered patio or barbecue area shall not be construed as an accessory structure for purpose of calculating floor area.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-23: A Codification of the General Ordinances of the City of Murrieta, California through Ord. 634-26, passed 7-7-2026).
Full Breakdown
150. 150(A)(3)(a) caps the floor area of a single detached accessory structure, which the code lists as including storage sheds along with garages, greenhouses, studios and workshops, at 1,000 square feet, and limits the combined floor area of all detached accessory structures on a lot to 40 percent of the required rear yard. Height is capped at the zone's height limit and cannot exceed the height of the primary residence on the lot. 150-1 sets the actual setback distances: a garage, gazebo, greenhouse, patio cover, storage shed or workshop over 120 square feet needs a five-foot side and rear setback, rising to ten feet if adjacent to a public street, while a gazebo, greenhouse or storage shed under 120 square feet only needs a three-foot setback measured to its furthest projection. 150 already governs it.
Violations & Fines
A shed exceeding the applicable setback or the 1,000-square-foot single-structure cap, or a combined detached-structure footprint over 40 percent of the required rear yard, is out of compliance with Section 16.44.150 and can be required to obtain development plan approval under Chapter 16.56 or be brought into conformance before final inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a backyard shed in Murrieta?
How close to my property line can a Murrieta shed sit?
How big can a detached shed or garage be in Murrieta?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Murrieta
How Murrieta compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·California rules heatmap·Compare Murrieta to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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