Shed Rules: El Monte vs South Gate
How do shed rules rules compare between El Monte, CA and South Gate, CA?
El Monte and South Gate have similar restriction levels.
El Monte, CA
Los Angeles County
One-story detached storage sheds up to 120 sq ft and 15 ft tall are exempt from building permits but must comply with zoning setbacks: minimum 4 ft from side and rear property lines and located behind the front half of the lot.
View full El Monte rules →South Gate, CA
Los Angeles County
Sheds and detached accessory structures in South Gate are regulated under the Zoning Code (South Gate Municipal Code Title 11, Ch. 11.25 Residential Neighborhood Zones and Ch. 11.43 Accessory Dwelling Units and Accessory Structures), with permit thresholds set by the California Building Code (Title 24 CCR) adopted via SGMC Ch. 9.02.
View full South Gate rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Monte | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Permit-exempt size | Up to 120 sq ft and 15 ft roof height | One-story sheds <=120 sq ft (CRC R105.2 as adopted by SGMC 9.02) |
| Side/rear setback | 4 ft minimum | - |
| Front placement | Must be in rear 50% of lot | - |
| Max total accessory area | 800 sq ft (residential zones) | - |
| Stories | 1 story maximum | - |
| Code sections | EMMC Title 15 §15.01 / Title 17 Div. 6 | - |
| Zoning chapters | - | SGMC Ch. 11.25 (Residential Zones); Ch. 11.43 (Accessory Structures/ADUs) |
| Building code | - | SGMC Ch. 9.02 adopts Title 24 CCR (CA Building Standards Code) |
| Code portal | - | codepublishing.com/CA/SouthGate (Title 11 Zoning) |
| Permit office | - | Building & Safety, 8650 California Ave; (323) 563-9500 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
El Monte FAQ
Do I need a permit for a small shed in El Monte?
No building permit is required for a one-story detached shed that is 120 sq ft or smaller and no taller than 15 ft, per the California Building Code §105.2 as adopted in EMMC Title 15. You still must meet the zoning setbacks (4 ft side and rear) and place it in the rear half of the lot.
Can I put a shed against my back fence?
No. El Monte requires a minimum 4-foot setback from both side and rear property lines for accessory buildings in residential zones, even for permit-exempt sheds. The shed must also be located behind the midpoint of the lot depth.
South Gate FAQ
Do I need a permit for a small backyard shed in South Gate?
A one-story detached storage shed of 120 sq ft or less is exempt from a building permit under California Residential Code R105.2, adopted by South Gate via SGMC Ch. 9.02. However, you still must comply with the zoning setbacks, height, and lot-coverage limits in SGMC Ch. 11.25 (Residential Neighborhood Zones) and Ch. 11.43 (Accessory Structures).
Where do I find South Gate's current zoning code online?
South Gate's Municipal Code is published by Code Publishing at codepublishing.com/CA/SouthGate. Title 11 contains the Zoning Code, including Ch. 11.25 (Residential Neighborhood Zones) and Ch. 11.43 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Accessory Structures, most recently amended via Ord. 2025-01-CC). A Municode mirror is also available at library.municode.com/ca/south_gate.
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