Santa Rosa, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in Santa Rosa, 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 threshold
- Building permit required for accessory structures over 120 sq ft
- Sheds 120 sq ft or smaller
- Building permit not required (electrical/plumbing still permitted separately)
- Allowed use
- Storage only; habitable use or conditioned space prohibited
- Foundation
- Per CBC Table 1809.7 (light frame wood); pre-manufactured units per mfr specs
- Max height
- 16 ft and one story
- Setbacks (parcel ≥50 ft wide)
- Minimum 5 ft from property line
- Setbacks (small parcels <50 ft wide)
- May go up to property line; 3 ft minimum if abutting another building
- Street setback
- May not be closer to street than primary structure
- Permit Center contact
- Resilient City Permit Center, (707) 543-4649
Summary
Santa Rosa requires a building permit for any accessory structure over 120 square feet of floor area, per the city's Accessory Structure Requirements Policy (Policy No. 2.5.3, effective June 2, 2005, revised July 2011) which implements California Building Code Section 1808 and Santa Rosa Zoning Code Section 20-42.030. Sheds 120 sq ft or smaller are exempt from a structural permit but cannot be used as habitable or conditioned space, and any electrical or plumbing installation requires a separate permit.
PURPOSE: The following policy clarifies the requirement for foundations under accessory structures. Previous code (2001 CBC) allowed a one story wood or metal frame building not used for human occupancy and not over 400 square feet in floor area may be constructed with walls supported on a wood foundation plate when approved by the building official. This exception was removed from the CBC in 2007 and is no longer within the California Building Code. POLICY: 1. Any accessory structure over 120 sq. ft. of floor area requires a building permit. 2. The structure may be supported by a concrete foundation designed in accordance with CBC Table 1809.7 if the building is of light frame wood construction. CBC 1808.8. 3. If it is a pre-manufactured unit, the unit must be installed per manufactured installation specifications. 4. If site built, construction plans shall be required showing location and method of construction with details prior to issue of the permit. 5. A note shall be added on the permit and on the plans stating, 'This structure may be used for storage only. Habitable use or conditioned space is not permitted.' 6. If structure is 120 sq. ft. or less of floor area, electrical or plumbing installations associated with a proposed storage structure require a separate permit. If a permit is required for the structure the electrical or plumbing can be included in the structure permit. Drawings shall identify all proposed and electrical or plumbing proposed in association with the accessory storage shed. 7. See City of Santa Rosa Zone Code Sec. 20-42.030 for specific requirements relating to accessory structures.
Full Breakdown
The Building and Code Compliance Division's Accessory Structure Requirements Policy (Policy No. 3) clarifies the foundation and permit requirements that apply after the 2007 California Building Code removed the prior exception for one-story wood/metal accessory buildings under 400 sq ft. 3(1)). 8). Pre-manufactured units must be installed per manufactured installation specifications. Site-built structures require construction plans showing location and method of construction. A note must be added on the permit and plans stating: 'This structure may be used for storage only. ' For structures 120 sq ft or less, the structure itself is exempt from a building permit but any associated electrical or plumbing installation requires a separate permit.
030 also apply: accessory structures must comply with the setback requirements of the applicable zoning district and shall not be closer to the street than the primary structure. On parcels less than 50 ft wide or 100 ft deep developed with a single-family dwelling or duplex, an accessory structure may be located up to the property line (or 3 ft from the line if it would abut another building on an adjacent parcel). Accessory structures generally may not exceed 16 ft and one story.
Violations & Fines
Constructing an accessory structure greater than 120 sq ft without a building permit, or using a permitted storage shed as habitable/conditioned space, is a Santa Rosa Municipal Code violation enforced by the Building and Code Compliance Division. Code Enforcement may issue stop-work orders, require demolition, or charge double permit fees for unpermitted construction. Habitable use of a storage shed also violates the recorded permit condition required under the Accessory Structure Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small backyard shed in Santa Rosa?
Can I sleep or live in my permitted shed?
How close to my property line can I put a shed?
What is the maximum height for a shed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Rosa
How Santa Rosa compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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