San Benito County, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)
Shed permit rules in San Benito County, 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
- Small shed setback
- 3 ft side, 3 ft rear
- Large accessory setback
- 5 ft side, 10 ft rear
- Max height
- 20 feet, one story
- Rear-yard cap
- 40% of required rear yard total
Summary
Sheds and other accessory structures in unincorporated San Benito County face zoning setbacks and size limits: small sheds need only 3-foot side/rear setbacks, and residential-zone accessory buildings are capped at one story or 20 feet in height.
No detached accessory building shall exceed one story or 20 feet in height. Accessory structures less than 120 square feet shall be limited to no more than 10 feet in height.
(4) No more than two detached accessory buildings 120 square feet or greater in size shall be permitted on one lot. No more than three accessory buildings less than 120 square feet in size shall be placed on a lot.
(5) Detached garages, pool houses, guesthouses, workshops and other recreational buildings may have an accessory structure setback, however, the detached building shall not be subsequently attached to any residential structure or converted to a dwelling.
(6) Except for accessory dwelling units, an accessory building may be no more than 1,000 square feet in gross floor area, unless an administrative use permit is approved to allow a larger size.
(7) Where the primary use of the lot is a viable agricultural operation run by an agriculturalist, agricultural buildings and facilities shall be deemed to be permitted accessory structures and may be allowed to be located up to the front yard setback whether or not a dwelling unit exists on the site.
(8) In the R-1 and R-M Zones, accessory structures shall be located in the rear half of the lot, unless it is not possible to place the structure in the rear half of the lot, in which case the structure shall be subject to minor development plan review. (Ord. 1043 § 3 (part), 2022)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
General accessory structures, including sheds, garages, barns, and workshops, must meet the setbacks in § 25.07.006(C): a smaller shed under 120 square feet, under 12 feet tall, and without conditioned space needs only a 3-foot side and 3-foot rear setback, while a larger or conditioned accessory structure needs a 5-foot side and 10-foot rear setback. In the RR, R-1, and RM residential zones, § 25.07.007(A) caps detached accessory buildings at one story or 20 feet in height (10 feet if under 120 square feet), limits any single structure to 30% of the required rear yard, and allows no more than two accessory buildings of 120 square feet or larger per lot.
Violations & Fines
Building a shed that exceeds the height, setback, or rear-yard coverage limits without zoning approval is a code violation, subject to correction, permit revocation, or removal by the county.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to my property line can I build a shed in unincorporated San Benito County?
How tall can a shed be in a residential zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
How San Benito County compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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