Accessory Structures in San Ramon, CA (2026)
3 verified accessory structures rules for San Ramon, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
San Ramon allows accessory dwelling units and junior ADUs by right in every zone that permits residential use, including mixed-use districts, under Zoning Ordinance Section D4-39. Before a building permit issues, the owner must obtain a ministerial Zoning Clearance under Section D6-30; the city cannot deny a compliant ADU through discretionary review, per Ordinance No. 522.
San Ramon Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Rules
Light RestrictionsSan Ramon Municipal Code sec. D4-39
C. Applicability. The provisions of this Section apply to all parcels with at least one existing or proposed dwelling unit. D. Review procedure. Prior to building permit issuance for an accessory dwelling unit and/or a junior accessory dwelling unit, a Zoning Clearance (Section D6-30) application for an accessory dwelling unit and/or junior accessory dwelling unit shall be processed and approve...
Shed & Carport Rules
San Ramon caps backyard sheds and other accessory structures in residential zones at three percent of the lot's total floor area and enforces a sliding setback: no setback for structures 18 inches or less, a three-foot setback up to six feet in height, and setback equal to height minus three feet above that, under Zoning Ordinance Section D4-26.
San Ramon Accessory Structure Size and Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Ramon Municipal Code sec. D4-26.E
E. R zones. Each accessory structure within a residential zone shall comply with the following requirements. 1. Maximum total floor area. The total floor area of all accessory structures on the site with a solid roof over four feet in height and/or deck structures over four feet in height shall not exceed three percent of the lot area. Common areas owned by homeowners' associations are exempt f...
Tiny Homes
San Ramon zoning treats a tiny house on wheels as a recreational vehicle, not housing, unless it sits on a permanent foundation. Municipal Code section D4-36.B caps a wheeled tiny house at under 320 square feet of interior living area and routes it into the RV storage limits of section D3-41.E.
San Ramon Tiny House Zoning Rules
Significant RestrictionsSan Ramon Municipal Code §§ D4-36.B, D3-41.E
Tiny House: A Tiny House is considered as a Recreational Vehicle when it is designed and built on a single chassis to be towed and used as a dwelling unit, provided that it contains less than 320 sq. ft. of interior living room area including wardrobe, closets, cabinets, kitchen fixtures, and bath or toilet room (see Section D3-41 E.). If a Tiny House is designed and constructed on a permanent ...
Looking for Contra Costa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Ramon city rules.
Accessory Structures in Contra Costa County →