San Rafael, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in San Rafael, 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
- Governing setback
- Full zoning-district setbacks
- Not eligible for
- Relaxed accessory setbacks
- Single-car carport min.
- 9' x 19'
- Double-car carport min.
- 18' x 19'
- Chapters
- SRMC 14.16 and 14.18
Summary
Unlike sheds and other small accessory structures, San Rafael carports and garages must meet the full front, side and rear setbacks of the underlying zoning district, and carports need a minimum interior of 9 by 19 feet for one car, 18 by 19 feet for two.
Detached accessory structures may only be placed between the front-facing wall of the primary structure and the front setback with administrative design review, except as allowed by Section 14.16.020.E.1.a. This requirement does not apply to garage or carport structures which must comply with the setbacks established by the applicable zoning district.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 37).
Full Breakdown
SRMC §14.16.020(E)(1)(e) carves carports and garages out of the relaxed placement rule that otherwise lets detached accessory structures sit between the house's front wall and the front setback line with administrative design review: carports and garages instead must comply with the setbacks established by the applicable zoning district, the same as the main house. Dimensionally, §14.18.180 sets minimum interior sizes for residential carports: nine feet by nineteen feet for a single-car carport and eighteen feet by nineteen feet for a double-car carport, with matching minimums of 10'x20' and 20'x20' for single- and double-car garages.
Violations & Fines
Placing a carport within the district's required front, side or rear setback, rather than meeting the full zoning-district setback like a garage, violates SRMC §14.16.020(E)(1)(e), and a carport built smaller than the §14.18.180 minimum dimensions can be rejected at plan check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a carport sit closer to the property line than a house in San Rafael?
How big must a San Rafael carport be?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Rafael
How San Rafael compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·California rules heatmap·Compare San Rafael to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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