Santa Cruz County, CA Accessory Structures: Shed Rules (2026)

Per Santa Cruz County Code (SCCC) 13.10.611, a building permit is not required for a detached accessory storage shed that meets all of the following: floor area does not exceed 120 sq ft; height does not exceed one story or 10 feet measured to the top of roof sheathing; the structure is detached from other structures (with at least a 3-foot minimum separation); contains no electricity, plumbing (other than a hose bib), heating, or air conditioning; cannot function as living space (no bathroom, kitchen, or sleeping areas); and is not rented out. A small permit-exempt shed under 120 sq ft and 10 ft in height may be constructed within 3 feet of the side and rear property lines unless a building envelope based on a sensitive habitat, riparian corridor, geological hazard, or floodplain has been established on the parcel. Accessory structures must be subordinate to a main dwelling and cannot exist on vacant parcels. Larger sheds (more than 120 sq ft or taller than 10 ft) require a building permit and must meet the standard setback and height requirements for the zone district. Within the Urban Services Line/Rural Services Line, accessory structure size is capped at 640 sq ft; outside the USL/RSL, the cap is 1,000 sq ft.