Shed Rules: Berkeley vs Sunol
How do shed rules rules compare between Berkeley, CA and Sunol, CA?
Berkeley and Sunol have similar restriction levels.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
Sheds under 120 sq ft and 12 ft tall are permit-exempt in Berkeley. Larger structures need permits, fire zone sheds must meet WUI standards, and setbacks apply to all sheds.
View full Berkeley rules →Sunol, CA
Alameda County
Unincorporated Alameda County regulates sheds under Title 17 Section 17.52.260: a detached accessory building in any R district must be one story, no taller than 15 feet, and at least 6 feet from any other building on the lot. Title 15 adopts the California Residential Code; sheds 120 sq ft or less are generally permit-exempt under CRC R105.2.
View full Sunol rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | Sunol |
|---|---|---|
| Permit exempt | Under 120 sq ft, 12 ft tall | - |
| Setbacks | 4 ft rear/side | - |
| VHFHSZ | WUI Chapter 7A applies | - |
| No sleeping | Not a dwelling | - |
| Electrical | Triggers permit | - |
| Authority | - | Title 17 Section 17.52.260 |
| Max Height | - | 15 feet (R districts) |
| Max Stories | - | One |
| Distance from Other Buildings | - | 6 feet minimum |
| Building Code | - | Title 15 Chapter 15.08 (CRC/CBC) |
| 120 sq ft Permit Exemption | - | Per 2022 CRC R105.2 (zoning still applies) |
| Applies To | - | Unincorporated areas only |
| Confirm With | - | Alameda County Planning (510) 670-5400 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Can I build a small shed on the property line?
No. Even permit-exempt sheds must meet 4-foot setbacks from side and rear property lines under Berkeley zoning, and cannot be placed in a required front yard.
Does my 100 sq ft shed need WUI construction in the hills?
Yes. Berkeley enforces Chapter 7A on all structures in the VHFHSZ including permit-exempt sheds. Ember-resistant siding and Class A roofing are expected even for small accessory buildings.
Sunol FAQ
How tall can a shed be in unincorporated Alameda County?
Section 17.52.260 of the Alameda County Code limits a detached accessory building in any R district to one story and a maximum height of fifteen feet. A shed that exceeds either limit needs a different zoning approval and should be discussed with the Alameda County Planning Department at (510) 670-5400 before construction.
Do I need a building permit for a small shed?
Title 15 of the Alameda County Code adopts the California Residential Code, and CRC Section R105.2 generally exempts one-story detached accessory storage sheds of 120 square feet or less from a building permit. Zoning rules in Section 17.52.260, the underlying R-district setbacks, and any electrical or plumbing work in the shed still require county review. Confirm the current threshold with Building Inspection.
How close can my shed be to my house?
Section 17.52.260 requires at least six feet between a detached accessory building and any other building on the same lot in an R district. The shed must also satisfy the side and rear yard setbacks of the property's specific R district under Title 17.
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