Vacaville, CA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Vacaville regulates sheds and other detached accessory buildings under VMC Section 14.09.200.020, part of the General Site Regulations chapter that applies citywide. The section covers roofed accessory structures such as detached garages, carports, sheds, workshops, gazebos, and covered patios, plus unroofed structures over 18 inches tall like play equipment, decks, and trellises. A detached shed can only be built on a lot that already has a permitted main building it serves, or on an adjacent lot under the same ownership.

Height is tied to the main house: a detached accessory structure can never exceed the height of the main structure on the site. Structures over 12 feet must sit to the rear of the main structure and meet standard district setbacks. Sheds kept at or under 12 feet may go into the required interior side or rear yard, but only if the foundation stays at least 3 feet from the property line, the eave stays at least 2 feet off the line, and the shed keeps a minimum 8-foot separation from other on-site structures, a gap the Fire Department can approve reducing. Where a rear or side lot line abuts an arterial, collector, freeway, or railroad right-of-way, the minimum jumps to 5 feet. Coverage within the required rear yard is capped at 35 percent. Front and corner side yards are off-limits entirely for detached accessory buildings. Swimming pools and spas deeper than 18 inches follow their own setbacks in the same section: no pool in a front or corner side yard, and pool equipment must sit at least 1 foot off the property line.