Yuba City, CA Accessory Structures: Shed Rules (2026)

Per the Yuba City Development Services 'Residential Accessory Building Requirements' bulletin and Yuba City Municipal Code §8-5.5001(C), a building permit is required for any accessory building EXCEPT a single-story detached tool/storage shed or playhouse with a floor area not greater than 120 sq ft. Section §8-5.5001(C) layers zoning standards on top: (1) accessory buildings are subject to lot coverage limits; (2) a residential accessory building cannot be built before the main building; (3) no accessory building (except garages or carports) may encroach on the front half of the lot or be within 50 ft of the front property line, whichever is less; (4) height/yard reductions are tiered: up to 8 ft tall = 0 ft rear/side yard, >8-10 ft = 5 ft rear and 5 ft side, >10-15 ft = 10 ft rear and 5 ft side, >15-20 ft = 25 ft (or 20% of lot depth, whichever is less) rear and 5 ft side. Within a required interior side or rear yard, one storage shed and one playhouse are allowed and exempt from lot-coverage limits provided each has a roof area under 120 sq ft and does not exceed 8 ft in height. For lots backing onto a General Plan street with a City-maintained landscape strip, accessory building height cannot exceed 8 ft within 10 ft of the rear lot line.