Shed Rules: Pasadena vs South Gate
How do shed rules rules compare between Pasadena, CA and South Gate, CA?
Pasadena and South Gate have similar restriction levels.
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles County
Pasadena allows sheds under 120 square feet without a building permit. Larger sheds require permits. All sheds must comply with zoning setbacks and height limits.
View full Pasadena 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 | Pasadena | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Threshold | Under 120 sq ft, no building permit | - |
| Setbacks | Typically 5 ft from property lines | - |
| Front Yard | Sheds not permitted | - |
| Historic Districts | Design review may apply | - |
| Permit-exempt size | - | One-story sheds <=120 sq ft (CRC R105.2 as adopted by SGMC 9.02) |
| 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.
Pasadena FAQ
Do I need a permit for a shed in Pasadena?
Sheds under 120 square feet do not need a building permit but must meet zoning setback requirements.
How close can a shed be to the property line?
Typically 5 feet from side and rear property lines. Check your zone's specific setback requirements.
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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