Do I need a permit for a shed in Sierra Madre, California?
In Sierra Madre's R-1 zone, a single-story shed or workshop up to 600 sq ft and 15 feet tall is allowed behind the front building line of your house if it meets the same setbacks as the house (15 feet from the rear line, and 5 feet or more from side lines depending on lot width). It can sit as close as 5 feet to a side or rear line with an administrative design review permit, or with a minor conditional use permit for a small structure under 120 sq ft. The sources we reviewed don't give the building-permit size threshold.
| Location | Behind the street-facing building line of the house [1] |
| Size and height for accessory-structure rules | 600 sq ft or less, max 15 ft, single story [2] |
| Closer setback with design review | 5 ft from side and/or rear lines [2] |
| Larger than 600 sq ft or two stories | Must meet primary-structure setbacks [3] |
| Structures under 120 sq ft (tool sheds) | 5 ft from side/rear with a minor conditional use permit [4] |
| Rear setback (primary-structure standard) | 15 feet [5] |
| Side setback, lots 60 ft wide or less | 5 feet each side [6] |
| Max lot coverage (all buildings) | 40% of lot area [7] |
| Hillside (R-H) zone | Sheds under 600 sq ft need an administrative hillside development permit [8] |
Where a shed can go
Under Section 17.20.060, workshops and storage sheds in the R-1 zone must be behind the street-facing building line of the house, unless you get an administrative design review permit [1]. A single-story shed, gazebo or workshop of 600 sq ft or less and no taller than 15 feet can be placed 5 feet from the side and/or rear property lines with an administrative design review permit [2]. Without that permit, it's allowed by right when it meets the setbacks for the main house (Sec. 17.20.050). Anything over 600 sq ft or two stories must meet the main-house setbacks [3].
Setbacks for the main house
The R-1 rear setback is 15 feet [5]. Side setbacks depend on lot width: 5 feet on each side for lots 60 feet wide or less [6]. Wider lots need combined side yards of 30% of the lot width, with at least 5 feet or 10% of the width on each side, up to 10 feet.
Small structures
Tool sheds, trash enclosures, barbecues and similar structures under 120 sq ft are also allowed at the main-house setbacks, or 5 feet from the side and rear lines with a minor conditional use permit from the director [4]. Detached single-story garages of 600 sq ft or less can be 3 feet from side or rear lines when behind the house.
Lot coverage
All buildings in R-1, including accessory buildings, can cover no more than 40% of the lot and must fit within the allowable floor area [7]. Under the R-1 definition, solid-roofed accessory structures on a foundation count toward lot coverage.
Hillside zone
On R-H lots, tool sheds and similar structures under 600 sq ft need an administrative hillside development permit [8][9], and structures can't be within 100 feet of natural riparian areas.
Building permit
The sources we reviewed don't set a building-permit size threshold. The state code exempts one-story storage sheds of 120 sq ft or less (see state rules), but zoning setbacks still apply.
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Next steps
- Confirm your zone (R-1 or R-H) and lot width, then site the shed behind the front building line of your house.
- If you want it closer than the house setbacks (down to 5 feet from a side or rear line), apply to Planning & Community Preservation for an administrative design review permit (or a minor conditional use permit for a structure under 120 sq ft).
- Check that total roofed coverage stays under 40% of your lot.
- Ask Building and Safety, (626) 355-7138, whether your shed's size and any electrical work need a building permit.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a shed in Sierra Madre, California?
- The sources we reviewed don't give the building-permit size threshold. The state code exempts one-story storage sheds of 120 sq ft or less, but zoning setbacks still apply, so ask Building and Safety.
- How big can a shed be in Sierra Madre, California?
- In the R-1 zone, a single-story shed or workshop up to 600 sq ft and 15 feet tall follows the accessory-structure rules. Anything over 600 sq ft or two stories must meet the main-house setbacks, and all buildings can cover no more than 40% of the lot.
- How close to the property line can a shed be in Sierra Madre, California?
- A shed must be behind the front building line of the house and meet the house setbacks (15 feet from the rear line, and 5 feet or more from side lines depending on lot width). It can be 5 feet from a side or rear line with an administrative design review permit, or a minor conditional use permit for one under 120 sq ft.
- Do I need a hillside permit for a shed in Sierra Madre, California?
- Yes, on R-H lots tool sheds and similar structures under 600 sq ft need an administrative hillside development permit, and structures can't be within 100 feet of natural riparian areas.
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. 17.20.060(A), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.20 R-1 One-Family Residential Zone (17.20.020 permitted uses; 17.20.060 accessory structures; 17.20.065 swimming pools), p. 1
Workshops and storage sheds shall be located behind the street-facing building line of the primary structure on the property, unless authorized with the approval of an administrative design review use permit pursuant to Chapter 17.60 .
- Sec. 17.20.060(A)(1), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.20 R-1 One-Family Residential Zone (17.20.020 permitted uses; 17.20.060 accessory structures; 17.20.065 swimming pools), p. 1
Single-story detached accessory structures, such as gazebos, workshops, storage sheds and similar uses which measure six hundred square feet or less, and with a maximum height of fifteen feet from finished grade to top of ridge as follows: 1. Administrative Design Review Permit. May be located five feet from the side and/or rear property lines subject to the approval of an administrative design review permit pursuant to Chapter 17.60 .
- Sec. 17.20.060(A)(2), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.20 R-1 One-Family Residential Zone (17.20.020 permitted uses; 17.20.060 accessory structures; 17.20.065 swimming pools), p. 1
Detached accessory structures which exceed six hundred square feet and/or are two stories or greater shall conform to the provisions of Section 17.20.050 (Primary structures).
- Sec. 17.20.060(D)(1), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.20 R-1 One-Family Residential Zone (17.20.020 permitted uses; 17.20.060 accessory structures; 17.20.065 swimming pools), p. 1
Minor Conditional Use Permit. May be located a minimum of five feet from the side and rear property lines subject to the granting of a minor conditional use permit pursuant to the provisions of Section 17.60.055 (Minor conditional use permits);
- Sec. 17.20.050(C), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.20 R-1 One-Family Residential Zone (17.20.020 permitted uses; 17.20.060 accessory structures; 17.20.065 swimming pools), p. 1
Rear Yards. The minimum rear yard setback shall be fifteen feet from the rear property line.
- Sec. 17.20.050(B)(1)(a), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.20 R-1 One-Family Residential Zone (17.20.020 permitted uses; 17.20.060 accessory structures; 17.20.065 swimming pools), p. 1
Lots or parcels measuring sixty feet or less, as defined in this title, shall have a minimum side yard setback of not less than five feet, on each side.
- Sec. 17.20.120, Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.20 R-1 One-Family Residential Zone (17.20.020 permitted uses; 17.20.060 accessory structures; 17.20.065 swimming pools), p. 1
All buildings in the R-1 zone, including accessory buildings and enclosed porches, shall have a maximum lot coverage of forty percent of the area of the lot, and must also be within the allowable floor area as defined in Section 17.20.125 .
- Sec. 17.52.070(B)(3)(c), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.52 H Hillside Management Zone, p. 1
Miscellaneous structures and uses, such as trash enclosures, barbecues, garages, tool sheds and similar uses, measuring less than six hundred square feet.
- Sec. 17.52.070(B), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.52 H Hillside Management Zone, p. 1
Uses in the R-H Zone Requiring an Administrative Hillside Development Permit. The following uses of land shall be allowed subject to the granting of an administrative hillside development permit in compliance with this chapter.