Shed Rules: Antioch vs Brentwood
How do shed rules rules compare between Antioch, CA and Brentwood, CA?
Brentwood has fewer restrictions than Antioch.
Antioch, CA
Contra Costa County
Antioch Municipal Code Section 9-5.603 caps accessory structures in residential districts at 15 feet tall, requires a five-foot rear and interior side setback, and exempts truly portable storage sheds (under 120 sq ft, under 8 ft tall, no foundation) from permit requirements.
View full Antioch rules →Brentwood, CA
Contra Costa County
Brentwood follows the California Building Code exemption allowing detached accessory structures under 120 square feet to be built without a building permit. Sheds must still comply with zoning setbacks, height limits, and HOA rules. Structures over 120 sq ft or with utilities require a building permit and Community Development review.
View full Brentwood rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Antioch | Brentwood |
|---|---|---|
| Code section | AMC § 9-5.603 (Accessory Buildings) | - |
| Max height in residential | 15 ft | - |
| Interior side / rear setback | 5 ft minimum | - |
| Corner-lot side yard | 20 ft minimum | - |
| Double-frontage rear setback | 10 ft | - |
| Max rear-yard coverage | 40% of required rear yard | - |
| Min distance from any dwelling | 5 ft (if unattached) | - |
| Portable shed permit threshold | <120 sq ft, <=8 ft tall, no foundation, no utilities | - |
| Permit authority | Building Services Division (925) 779-7065 | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Antioch FAQ
Do I need a building permit for a shed in Antioch?
Not always. A storage shed in the rear yard is exempt from a building permit if it is freestanding, moveable, has no permanent foundation, is less than 120 sq ft in area, is 8 ft or shorter, and has no plumbing or electrical work. Any shed exceeding those thresholds, or any shed with utilities, requires a building permit.
How close to the property line can my Antioch shed be?
Under AMC § 9-5.603, accessory structures need a minimum 5-foot rear yard setback (10 ft on double-frontage lots), a 5-foot interior side yard, and 20 ft on the street side of a corner lot. Truly portable rear-yard sheds are exempt from rear and interior side setbacks but must still respect required front and corner street-side setbacks.
How tall can a shed or accessory building be in Antioch?
The maximum height for an accessory structure in residential districts is 15 feet. Permit-exempt portable sheds are capped at 8 feet.
Can my shed cover my whole back yard?
No. Detached accessory structures may cover no more than 40% of the required rear yard area, and an unattached accessory building must sit at least 5 feet from any dwelling on the same or an adjacent lot.
Brentwood FAQ
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