Do I need a permit for a shed in Tiburon, California?
A shed in Tiburon generally needs site plan and architectural review (decided by staff for buildings under 500 sq ft) and a building permit, because the town narrowed the state's 120 sq ft permit exemption to portable playhouses. Sheds can't go in front or side setbacks; one up to 12 feet tall may sit in the rear setback if accessory buildings cover no more than 25% of it.
| Design review | Site plan and architectural review for any structure, including accessory buildings [1] |
| Staff-level review | Accessory buildings under 500 sq ft decided by the Director [2] |
| Building permit exemption | Only portable playhouses/play structures up to 120 sq ft, 12 ft tall, no utilities [3] |
| Front and side setbacks | No accessory buildings allowed [4] |
| Rear setback | Detached buildings up to 12 ft tall, covering no more than 25% of the rear setback [4] |
| R-1 setbacks (front / side / rear) | 15 ft / 8 ft / 20% of lot depth or 25 ft, whichever is less [5] |
| R-1 accessory building height limit | 15 feet [5] |
Permits
Tiburon requires site plan and architectural review before building any "structure," a term that expressly includes accessory buildings [1]. Accessory buildings under 500 sq ft are "minor alterations" that the Community Development Director can decide instead of the Design Review Board [2], and neighbors get a courtesy notice. A very small project with no added floor area and signed neighbor consent can be approved over the counter.
The town also amended the California Residential Code's permit exemption. Instead of exempting storage sheds up to 120 sq ft, Tiburon only exempts detached playhouses or play structures that are portable (not anchored), no larger than 120 sq ft, no taller than 12 feet, one story, and without plumbing, electricity or heating [3]. Plan on a building permit for a typical shed. The town code adopts the 2022 California codes, so ask whether newer amendments apply.
Where it can go
Required front and side setbacks can't be used for any accessory building in any zone. A detached accessory building no taller than 12 feet may sit in the rear setback if it covers no more than 25% of the rear setback area [4]. Otherwise it must meet the same setbacks as the main house. In the R-1 zone those are 15 feet in front, 8 feet on the sides, and 20% of lot depth or 25 feet in the rear, whichever is less [5]. The Bel Aire (R-1-B-A), R-1-B-2 and RO zones have different front and side setbacks.
Height, coverage and floor area
Table 2-2's R-1 row reads, in order: lot width 40 ft, front 15 ft, sides 8 ft, rear 20% of lot depth or 25 ft, main-building height 30 ft, and accessory-building height 15 ft [5]. Accessory buildings count toward your zone's maximum lot coverage [6], and they count toward the floor area ratio guideline.
Play structures and sports courts
Nonportable playhouses, play structures and swings need site plan and architectural review and building permits.
See how Tiburon compares with 8+ other California towns on sheds & accessory buildings →
Next steps
- Check your zone's setbacks and lot coverage on the Tiburon zoning map and Table 2-2.
- Site the shed outside the front and side setbacks; in the rear setback, keep it at 12 feet tall or less.
- Apply for site plan and architectural review with the Planning Division, 1505 Tiburon Boulevard (415-435-7390), with a site plan and elevations.
- After approval, apply for a building permit from the Building Division (415-435-7380), plus electrical permits for any wiring.
Common questions
- Do I need a permit for a shed in Tiburon, California?
- Generally yes. A shed needs site plan and architectural review (decided by staff for buildings under 500 sq ft) and a building permit, because the town narrowed the state's 120 sq ft permit exemption to portable playhouses.
- Where can I put a shed in Tiburon, California?
- Sheds can't go in front or side setbacks. One up to 12 feet tall may sit in the rear setback if accessory buildings cover no more than 25% of it.
- How tall can a shed be in Tiburon, California?
- Detached buildings in the rear setback can be up to 12 feet tall. The R-1 accessory building height limit is 15 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. 16-52.020(B)(1), Municipal Code Ch. 16 (Zoning) Sec. 16-52 Permit Review and Decisions (16-52.100 Accessory Dwelling Unit; 16-52.110 Home Occupations; 16-52.080 Tidelands Permit; 16-52.020 Site Plan & Architectural Review), p. 1
"Structure" means anything that is built or constructed and requires a location on the ground, including a building, accessory building, or edifice of any kind; or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts.
- Sec. 16-52.020(F)(2), Municipal Code Ch. 16 (Zoning) Sec. 16-52 Permit Review and Decisions (16-52.100 Accessory Dwelling Unit; 16-52.110 Home Occupations; 16-52.080 Tidelands Permit; 16-52.020 Site Plan & Architectural Review), p. 1
Accessory buildings or structures less than five hundred square feet in floor area;
- Sec. 13-4.2.1(c)(2) (amending CRC 105.2), Municipal Code Ch. 13 Building Regulations (13-4.5 Fire Code), p. 1
Detached accessory structures used as playhouses or play structures provided that the structure: a. Does not exceed one-hundred twenty (120) square feet in area and is portable (i.e., is not anchored or affixed in any way);
- Sec. 16-30.030(E)(1), Municipal Code Ch. 16 Sec. 16-30 Standards for All Development (setbacks, 16-30.040 Fences and walls, height, 16-30.100 Submerged lands), p. 1
Required front and side setbacks shall not be used for the placement or erection of any accessory building in any zone. Detached accessory buildings not exceeding twelve feet in height may be located on a rear setback, provided that such buildings do not occupy more than twenty-five percent of the area of the rear setback.
- Sec. 16-21.040, Table 2-2 (R-1 row), Municipal Code Ch. 16 Sec. 16-21 Residential Zones (allowed uses and development standards), p. 1
R-1 10,000 square feet (s.f.) 1-story development: same as max. FAR; 2-story or multi-story development: 30% 40 ft. 15 ft. 8 ft. 20% of lot depth or 25 ft. (whichever is less) 30 ft. 15 ft.
- Sec. 16-30.120(B)(3), Municipal Code Ch. 16 Sec. 16-30 Standards for All Development (setbacks, 16-30.040 Fences and walls, height, 16-30.100 Submerged lands), p. 1
Lot coverage shall include buildings, accessory buildings, and carports; one-half the area of all decks higher than three feet above grade; cantilevered elements, porches, canopies, chimneys, fire escapes, balconies, and similar features that are higher than three feet above grade; and eaves that project more than four feet.