Shed Rules: Costa Mesa vs Midway City
How do shed rules rules compare between Costa Mesa, CA and Midway City, CA?
Midway City has fewer restrictions than Costa Mesa.
Costa Mesa, CA
Orange County
Costa Mesa requires building permits for storage sheds exceeding 120 square feet in floor area. Sheds 120 square feet or smaller and not exceeding 6.5 feet in height may have a zero rear yard setback in the R1 zone and generally do not require a permit. All sheds must comply with lot coverage limits and may not be used for habitation. Sheds in required side yards must meet minimum setback requirements.
View full Costa Mesa rules →Midway City, CA
Orange County
Unincorporated Orange County exempts one small detached non-habitable accessory structure - a shed - per 7,200 square feet of building site area from accessory-structure standards under Section 7-9-116.1(h)(1) of the Codified Ordinances, provided it is under 120 square feet, no taller than 8 feet, set at least 3 feet from rear and side property lines, set at least 6 feet from another building, and not located in any front yard. Sheds beyond that allowance are accessory structures regulated by Section 7-9-116.1.
View full Midway City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Costa Mesa | Midway City |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Exempt | 120 sq ft or less, one story, no utilities | - |
| Zero Setback | Allowed at rear if under 6.5 feet tall | - |
| Side Setback | 3 feet minimum in R1 zone | - |
| Lot Coverage | Sheds count toward total coverage | - |
| Authority | - | OC Codified Ord. Sec. 7-9-116.1(h)(1) |
| Exempt Size | - | Under 120 sq ft enclosed floor area |
| Exempt Height | - | 8 ft maximum |
| Side/Rear Setback | - | 3 ft minimum |
| Building Separation | - | 6 ft minimum |
| Front Yard | - | Not allowed |
| One-Per-Lot Rule | - | 1 exempt shed per 7,200 sq ft of lot area |
| Beyond Exemption | - | Zoning Land Use Certificate (sheds 2+) or full permit |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Costa Mesa FAQ
Do I need a permit for a shed in Costa Mesa?
Sheds 120 square feet or smaller that are one story and do not have plumbing or electrical connections are generally exempt from building permits. Larger sheds, or those with utilities, require a building permit from the Building Division.
How close to the property line can I put a shed in Costa Mesa?
In the R1 zone, sheds not exceeding 6.5 feet in height may be placed with a zero rear yard setback. Taller sheds must be at least 10 feet from the rear property line and 3 feet from interior side property lines.
Can I use a shed as a home office or living space?
No. Sheds are classified as accessory storage structures and may not be used for habitation or as primary living or working space. Converting a shed to living space requires building permits, compliance with residential building codes, and potentially ADU regulations.
Midway City FAQ
Do I need a permit to put up a small storage shed in unincorporated Orange County?
Generally no for one shed under 120 square feet. Section 7-9-116.1(h)(1) of the Codified Ordinances exempts one detached non-habitable shed per 7,200 square feet of building site area from accessory-structure standards if it is under 120 sq ft, no taller than 8 feet, at least 3 feet from rear and side property lines, at least 6 feet from another building, and not in the front yard. The California Building Code as adopted under Title 7 also exempts such storage sheds from a building permit. A Zoning Land Use Certificate is still required for any additional non-habitable shed up to 120 sq ft.
How close to my property line can the shed be?
Section 7-9-116.1(h)(1) requires the exempt shed to be at least 3 feet from the rear and side property lines and at least 6 feet from any other building on the property. Sheds within 3 feet of a property line lose the exemption and become regular accessory structures, which under Section 7-9-116.1(e) are then capped at 8 feet in height when within 3 feet of a line.
Can I put my shed in the front yard?
No. Section 7-9-116.1(h)(1) explicitly states that the exempt shed shall not be located in any front yard area, and Section 7-9-116.1(d)(4) further bars detached accessory structures within the required front setback area unless authorized by a Use Permit approved by the Zoning Administrator. Section 7-9-116.1(d)(3) also bars structures within the 3.5-foot fence/wall corner-visibility zones of Section 7-9-64.
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