Do I need a permit for a shed in Orinda, California?
A shed counts as an accessory structure in Orinda. It must meet your zone's normal side and rear setbacks (5 to 15 feet in most RL zones), stay at least 50 feet from any street-facing property line, and sit at least 5 feet from the house. Sheds aren't on the City's list of projects exempt from Planning review, so check with the Planning Department; building permits come from Contra Costa County.
| Counts as accessory structure | Yes, storage sheds and small storage buildings [1] |
| Setback from street-facing property lines | 50 ft (or 40 ft from the property line if measured from the pavement edge) [2] |
| Side and rear setbacks | Same as the zone's minimum setbacks [2] |
| Side yard setback by zone (RVL-E, RVL, RL-40, RL-20, RL-15, RL-12, RL-10, RL-6, RM) | 50, 50, 15, 15, 10, 10, 10, 5, 10 ft [3] |
| Rear yard setback by zone (same order) | 25, 25, 15, 15, 10, 10, 10, 5, 10 ft [4] |
| Separation from the house | 5 ft minimum [5] |
| No structures in required setbacks | Unless the title allows it [6] |
What counts
Orinda's zoning code treats a storage shed, greenhouse or garage as an accessory structure. Small storage buildings and shelters count as accessory structures regardless of how the building code classifies them [1]. Fences, decks and landscape structures (trellises, arbors) are regulated separately.
Setbacks
A shed must meet the zone's standard minimum setbacks, with one big difference: it must be at least 50 feet from any property line with street frontage [2]. You can instead measure from the edge of the paved road, as long as the shed is still at least 40 feet from the street property line [2]. That generally keeps sheds out of front yards and street-side yards. Side and rear setbacks follow the table in Schedule 17.4.2, which lists one number per zone in this order: RVL-E, RVL, RL-40, RL-20, RL-15, RL-12, RL-10, RL-6 and RM. Side yards are 50, 50, 15, 15, 10, 10, 10, 5 and 10 feet [3], and rear yards are 25, 25, 15, 15, 10, 10, 10, 5 and 10 feet [4]. So in RL-20 the side and rear setbacks are 15 feet, and in RL-6 they are 5 feet. Older lots narrower than their zone's standard width may qualify for the reduced side setbacks in Section 17.4.4. No structure may be placed in the minimum setback area unless the title allows it [6]. The code has no small-shed exemption from these setbacks. A shed must also be at least 5 feet from the main house [5].
Height and size
The sections we reviewed set no separate height or size cap for sheds. The general residential limit is 27 feet and 2 1/2 stories. A coop or other animal shelter has much larger setbacks (see Chickens). Building on a creek bank or within a creek setback needs City Engineer approval and an exception.
Permits
The City's list of projects exempt from Planning review does not include sheds or new accessory buildings [7]. Building permits are issued by Contra Costa County. A setback that can't be met may be approved through an exception permit.
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Next steps
- Find your zoning district and its side and rear setbacks (Schedule 17.4.2), and measure 50 feet back from any street-facing property line.
- Ask the Orinda Planning Department (925-253-4210, 22 Orinda Way) whether your shed needs Planning review before you buy or build it.
- Apply to Contra Costa County Building Inspection for a building permit if the shed's size or electrical/plumbing work requires one.
- If the shed can't meet setbacks, apply for an exception permit before seeking a building permit.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a shed in Orinda, California?
- Possibly. Sheds aren't on Orinda's list of projects exempt from Planning review, so check with the Planning Department. Building permits come from Contra Costa County if the shed's size or electrical or plumbing work requires one.
- What are the shed setbacks in Orinda, California?
- It varies by zone. A shed must meet the zone's side and rear setbacks (5 to 15 feet in most RL zones; for example 15 feet in RL-20 and 5 feet in RL-6), stay at least 50 feet from any street-facing property line, and sit at least 5 feet from the house.
- Can I put a shed in my front yard in Orinda, California?
- Generally no. A shed must be at least 50 feet from any property line with street frontage, or 40 feet from the street property line if measured from the paved road edge, which generally keeps sheds out of front and street-side yards.
- Is there a small shed exemption in Orinda, California?
- No. Orinda's code has no small-shed exemption from setbacks. A shed that can't meet setbacks may be approved through an exception permit.
California state rules for sheds and accessory buildings
Where a shed can go (setbacks, height, lot coverage, front-yard limits) is set by your city or county zoning code. The state sets the building-permit baseline:
- Permit exemption: the 2025 California Residential Code (R105.2) exempts one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses if the floor area is 120 sq ft or less. Bigger sheds need a permit, and electrical or plumbing work needs its own permit. Some cities have amended these thresholds.
- Other exempt work in the same list includes fences up to 7 ft and decks up to 200 sq ft that are no more than 30 inches above grade and not attached to the house.
- Exempt doesn't mean unregulated: zoning setbacks, HOA rules and easements still apply, and some cities require a zoning clearance even for small sheds.
- Turning a shed or garage into living space is covered by the state's ADU law (Gov. Code §66314). An existing accessory structure converted to an ADU needs no added setback, and new ADUs need no more than 4-foot side and rear setbacks (see ADUs).
- Wildfire areas: in a state responsibility area, owners must keep 100 feet of defensible space around buildings (Pub. Res. Code §4291). Local fire-hazard rules may limit what you can build or store near structures.
- Coastal zone: a new structure is "development" and may need a coastal development permit (Pub. Res. Code §30106).
What the ordinance says
- OMC §17.2.3 Definitions, Accessory structure, Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.2 Definitions, p. 1
An accessory structure includes, as regulated by the respective zone of the property, a garage, storage shed, greenhouse, and accessory dwelling units. Small storage buildings and shelters shall be seen as accessory structures, regardless of structural definitions used to determine UBC compliance. Accessory structure does not include fences, decks, and landscape structures.
- OMC §17.4.22(B), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.4 Residential District Base Development Regulations (17.4.6 setbacks for water channels; 17.4.27 fences and retaining walls), p. 1
The minimum setback from any property line with street frontage is fifty (50) feet.
- OMC Schedule 17.4.2(A), Side Yard, Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.4 Residential District Base Development Regulations (17.4.6 setbacks for water channels; 17.4.27 fences and retaining walls), p. 1
Side Yard 50 50 15 15 10 10 10 5 10
- OMC Schedule 17.4.2(A), Rear Yard, Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.4 Residential District Base Development Regulations (17.4.6 setbacks for water channels; 17.4.27 fences and retaining walls), p. 1
Rear Yard 25 25 15 15 10 10 10 5 10
- OMC §17.4.22(C), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.4 Residential District Base Development Regulations (17.4.6 setbacks for water channels; 17.4.27 fences and retaining walls), p. 1
The minimum separation between an accessory structure and the main structure is five (5) feet.
- OMC §17.4.3, Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.4 Residential District Base Development Regulations (17.4.6 setbacks for water channels; 17.4.27 fences and retaining walls), p. 1
No structure may be located in the minimum yard setback area set forth in Schedule
- Projects Exempt from Planning Review (02/2023), Projects Exempt from Planning Review (Planning Department handout), p. 1
The following projects are exempt from the City of Orinda Planning Department review and only require building permit approval and issuance from the Contra Costa County Building Department.