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.
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.
The Building and Code Compliance Division's Accessory Structure Requirements Policy (Policy No. 2.5.3) 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. Under the policy, any accessory structure over 120 sq ft of floor area requires a building permit (Policy 2.5.3(1)). Structures may be supported by a concrete foundation designed in accordance with CBC Table 1809.7 if of light frame wood construction (CBC 1808.8). 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. Habitable use or conditioned space is not permitted.' 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. Zoning standards in Section 20-42.030 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.
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.
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