Do I need a permit for a shed in Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
Sheds and other detached accessory structures in Rancho Palos Verdes are limited to 12 feet tall and normally have to meet the zone's setbacks. A storage shed under 120 sq ft can go in a side or rear setback with the director's site plan review approval if it's no taller than 6 feet and at least 3 feet from the property line. A shed of 12 ft or less and under 250 sq ft skips neighborhood compatibility review.
| Max height, accessory structures | 12 feet, measured from lowest pre-construction grade to the ridge [1] |
| Small sheds (under 120 sq ft) in setbacks | Not allowed in setbacks unless an exception applies [2] |
| Small shed in side or rear setback | Site plan review by the director [3] |
| Max height in a setback | 6 feet [4] |
| Distance from property line in a setback | 3 feet (or against an existing solid wall) [5] |
| Exempt from neighborhood compatibility review | 12 ft or less and under 250 sq ft [6] |
| Max lot coverage, RS-4 zone (example) | 50% (ranges from 6% in RS-A5 to 52% in RS-5) [8] |
What counts as an accessory structure
Detached structures incidental to the house, including playhouses, gazebos, pool houses, saunas and detached garages, are accessory structures and are limited to 12 feet in height, measured from the lowest pre-construction grade next to the foundation to the ridge [1]. A storage shed falls in the same category.
Setbacks
No building or structure may be built closer to a property line than the zone's required setback. Storage sheds or playhouses under 120 sq ft and other minor structures can't be in any setback in residential districts except as the code allows [2]. The director can allow a minor structure taller than 6 inches in an interior side or rear setback through a site plan review [3] if it's no more than 6 feet tall [4] and no part of it is within 3 feet of the property line [5]. It may abut a side or rear line only if it's under 120 sq ft, sits against an existing solid wall, and is no taller than that wall (up to 6 feet). In a rear setback next to a street, it can't be visible from the street. Larger sheds must stay out of the setbacks entirely, and minor structures aren't allowed in the front setback except low items like fountains and light fixtures.
Size and lot coverage
The code sets no separate shed size cap, but buildings and structures count toward lot coverage [7]. Table 02-A lists maximum lot coverage by zone; in each row the percentage is the lot-coverage limit, ranging from 6% in RS-A5 to 52% in RS-5 (RS-4 lots, for example, allow 50%) [8]. Our copy of the table is an exhibit to Ordinance No. 405 (about 2004) and may not reflect later changes, so confirm your zone's limit with the Planning Division.
Review and permits
A minor non-habitable accessory structure, such as a storage shed, cabana or playhouse, is exempt from neighborhood compatibility review if it's 12 feet or less in height and under 250 sq ft and meets all residential standards [6]. Bigger sheds can trigger that review and notice to neighbors within 500 feet. The city's building code amendments we reviewed don't change the state building-permit exemption for small sheds, so ask the Building & Safety Division whether yours needs a building permit.
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Next steps
- Check your zone and required setbacks with the Planning Division, (310) 544-5228, and keep the shed 12 feet tall or less.
- To place a shed under 120 sq ft in a side or rear setback, apply for a site plan review: keep it 6 feet tall or less and 3 feet from the property line.
- Ask the Building & Safety Division, (310) 265-7800, whether your shed size needs a building permit, and get separate permits for any electrical or plumbing.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a shed in Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
- It depends. Putting a small shed in a setback needs the director's site plan review, and bigger sheds can trigger neighborhood compatibility review. The city's code doesn't change the state building-permit exemption for small sheds, so ask the Building & Safety Division whether yours needs a building permit.
- How tall can a shed be in Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
- Sheds and other detached accessory structures are limited to 12 feet, measured from the lowest pre-construction grade next to the foundation to the ridge. In a side or rear setback, a shed can be no taller than 6 feet.
- Can I put a shed in my side yard in Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
- Only with the director's site plan review approval: a storage shed under 120 sq ft can go in a side or rear setback if it's no taller than 6 feet and at least 3 feet from the property line, or against an existing solid wall no shorter than the shed. Larger sheds must stay out of setbacks.
- What size shed avoids neighborhood compatibility review in Rancho Palos Verdes, California?
- A shed 12 feet or less in height and under 250 sq ft that meets all residential standards is exempt from neighborhood compatibility review. Bigger sheds can trigger that review and notice to neighbors within 500 feet.
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
- Sec. 17.49.050(D), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.49 Lots, Setbacks, Open Space Area and Building Height (Article VI chunk), p. 1
Such accessory structures shall be limited to 12 feet in height, as measured from the lowest preconstruction grade adjacent to the foundation wall to the ridge.
- Sec. 17.49.030(E)(5), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.49 Lots, Setbacks, Open Space Area and Building Height (Article VI chunk), p. 1
Trash enclosures, storage sheds or playhouses less than 120 square feet, doghouses, play/sports equipment, fountains, light fixtures on a standard or a pole, flagpoles, enclosed water heaters, barbecues, outdoor kitchens, garden walls, air conditioners, pool filters, vents and other minor structures or mechanical equipment shall not be located in any setback area in residential districts except as specified below:
- Sec. 17.49.030(E)(5)(b), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.49 Lots, Setbacks, Open Space Area and Building Height (Article VI chunk), p. 1
Minor structures and mechanical equipment which exceed six inches in height, as measured from adjacent finished grade, may be permitted within an interior side or rear setback area by the director, through a site plan review application
- Sec. 17.49.030(E)(5)(b)(ii), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.49 Lots, Setbacks, Open Space Area and Building Height (Article VI chunk), p. 1
No part of any minor structure or mechanical equipment, exceeds six feet in height (as measured from adjacent finished grade);
- Sec. 17.49.030(E)(5)(b)(v), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.49 Lots, Setbacks, Open Space Area and Building Height (Article VI chunk), p. 1
No part of any minor structure extends within three feet of the property line.
- Sec. 17.02.030(B)(2)(c), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.02 Single-Family Residential (RS) Districts (17.02.020 uses; 17.02.026 short-term rentals prohibited; 17.02.030 development standards), p. 1
The construction of a minor non-habitable accessory structure, such as, but not limited to, a cabana, a pool changing room, a storage shed, or a playhouse, that meets the following criteria: i. Is 12 feet or less in height, as measured from lowest adjacent grade as stated in section 17.48.050 (D); ii. Is less than 250 square feet in floor area; and
- Sec. 17.02.040(A)(5), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.02 Single-Family Residential (RS) Districts (17.02.020 uses; 17.02.026 short-term rentals prohibited; 17.02.030 development standards), p. 1
Lot coverage means that portion of a lot or building site which is occupied by any building or structure, including trellises; decks over 30 inches in height (as measured from existing adjacent grade); parking areas; driveways; or impervious surfaces
- Table 02-A, RS-4 row, Table 02-A Single-Family Residential Development Standards, p. 1
RS-4 10,000 sf 75 100 20 20 10 20 15 20 5 10 15 50% 16