Shed Rules: Castro Valley vs San Leandro
How do shed rules rules compare between Castro Valley, CA and San Leandro, CA?
San Leandro 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 →San Leandro, CA
Alameda County
Sheds under 120 sq ft need no building permit in San Leandro but must meet zoning setbacks. Larger sheds require permits and rear/side setback compliance.
View full San Leandro rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Castro Valley | San Leandro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - | Under 120 sq ft |
| Setback | - | 3-5 ft typical |
| Height | - | ~15 ft max |
| Utilities | - | Trigger permit |
| Sleeping | - | Prohibited |
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.
San Leandro FAQ
Do I need a permit for a 10x10 shed in San Leandro?
A 10x10 shed is 100 sq ft, so no building permit, but it must meet setback rules and cannot have plumbing.
Who enforces this in San Leandro?
San Leandro code enforcement at (510) 577-3394 handles most complaints. Alameda County agencies handle regional issues.
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