Shed Rules: Castro Valley vs Hayward
How do shed rules rules compare between Castro Valley, CA and Hayward, CA?
Hayward has fewer restrictions than Castro Valley.
Castro Valley, 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 Castro Valley rules →Hayward, CA
Alameda County
Sheds up to 120 square feet are exempt from building permits in Hayward but must meet zoning setbacks of 3 feet from side and rear lines.
View full Hayward rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Castro Valley | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| No-permit size | - | Up to 120 sq ft |
| Setback | - | 3 ft side and rear |
| Front yard | - | Not allowed |
| Electrical | - | Requires permit |
| Habitable use | - | Becomes ADU |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Castro Valley 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.
Hayward FAQ
Can I put a shed on the property line?
No. Hayward requires at least 3 feet of clearance from side and rear property lines.
Do I need a permit for a 10x12 shed?
A 120 sq ft shed is permit-exempt if there is no electrical, plumbing, or habitable use.
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