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

2704(a) governs detached accessory buildings in Pacifica's residential districts. Any accessory building attached to the main house must meet the same standards as the main structure, but a detached one gets its own rules. It must sit at least five feet from any building on the same lot, and Pacifica treats a common wall, common roof, or an above-grade horizontal connection such as a deck as making the buildings 'attached'; low retaining walls or decking under 30 inches do not count as a connection. A detached accessory building cannot sit in a required front or side setback, and it must stay at least five feet from any alley.

It can be located in the rear setback only if it holds nondwelling uses like a garage or storage, keeps at least a one-and-one-half foot setback from the side or rear lot line, has at least half its footprint within the rear setback, and does not exceed 12 feet in height. On corner lots, it cannot project past the front setback line established or existing on the neighboring lot. Beyond the height and setback rules, the code caps total bulk: the combined area of all detached nondwelling accessory structures in a lot's rear setback, sheds, garages, and similar buildings together, cannot exceed 600 square feet.

No accessory building can be built before the main house exists on the site, and, except for a detached garage, every accessory building must sit behind the main structure.