Shed Rules: Burbank vs Norwalk
How do shed rules rules compare between Burbank, CA and Norwalk, CA?
Norwalk has fewer restrictions than Burbank.
Burbank, CA
Los Angeles County
Burbank Municipal Code Section 10-1-604 treats detached storage sheds and similar buildings as accessory structures, capping the combined enclosed accessory floor area (excluding garages) at 1,000 square feet, requiring at least 6 feet of separation from other structures, and prohibiting kitchens, sleeping use, and most plumbing.
View full Burbank rules →Norwalk, CA
Los Angeles County
Norwalk allows small sheds without permits (typically under 120 sq ft). Larger structures require building permits and must meet setback requirements.
View full Norwalk rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Burbank | Norwalk |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | BMC 10-1-604 | - |
| Max enclosed accessory area | 1,000 sq ft combined (excluding garages) | - |
| Separation from other structures | 6 ft (walls); 4 ft (eave to eave) | - |
| Reduced setback | 3 ft side/rear, only in rear one-third of lot | - |
| Setback plane | 45 degrees per BMC 10-1-603(G)(4) | - |
| Kitchen/cooking | Prohibited in any accessory structure | - |
| Sleeping/residing | Prohibited at any time | - |
| Plumbing covenant | Recorded covenant required before any plumbing fixtures | - |
| Permit-exempt shed | 1-story tool/storage shed 120 sq ft or less (per Title 9 building code) | - |
| No Permit | - | Under 120 sq ft |
| Permit | - | Over 120 sq ft |
| Setbacks | - | 3 to 5 ft from property line |
| Habitation | - | Prohibited |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Burbank FAQ
Do I need a permit for a shed in Burbank?
A one-story detached tool or storage shed of 120 square feet or less is generally exempt from a building permit under the California Residential Code that Burbank adopts in Title 9, but it must still meet the zoning setbacks and use limits of BMC 10-1-604. Larger or habitable structures require a building permit.
How big can my detached accessory structures be in Burbank?
Under BMC 10-1-604(B), the combined gross floor area of all enclosed accessory structures on a property, excluding garages, may not exceed 1,000 square feet.
How far must a shed be from my house in Burbank?
BMC 10-1-604(C) requires an accessory structure to be at least 6 feet from any other structure on the same lot (measured wall-to-wall or to the outside edge of supporting posts), and its eaves must be at least 4 feet from the eaves of any other structure.
Can I sleep or cook in a Burbank shed or workshop?
No. BMC 10-1-604(D) and (E) prohibit kitchen or cooking facilities in any accessory structure and bar anyone from sleeping or residing in one at any time, whether temporarily or permanently. Installing any plumbing fixtures also requires a recorded covenant prohibiting cooking and sleeping use.
Norwalk FAQ
Do I need a permit for a shed?
Sheds under 120 sq ft typically don’t need a permit, but must still meet setback requirements.
Can I put electrical in my shed?
Electrical connections require a separate electrical permit regardless of shed size.
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