Shed Permit in San Diego, CA
Permit Summary
Do You Need a Shed Permit?
Exemptions
A Building Permit is not required for a one-story detached accessory building supported on the ground and used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use when the projected roof area is 120 square feet or less and the structure is not used for a separately regulated use under Chapter 14, Article 1. The exemption does not apply when the development involves alteration, repair or improvement of a historical resource, when the premises contains environmentally sensitive lands that require a development permit under Section 143.0110, or when the building is constructed with unreinforced masonry bearing walls or exterior wall parapets. Building Permit exemption does not waive electrical, plumbing, mechanical or other applicable requirements.
Attached Shed Rules
The Section 129.0203 shed exemption applies only to detached accessory buildings, so an attached shed is not covered by that exemption and must be evaluated under the applicable Building Permit requirements. Under the residential side- and rear-yard encroachment provisions, an encroaching non-habitable accessory building cannot share a common wall with the primary dwelling unit, although a nonstructural design connection is allowed.
Shed Use Rules
For the Building Permit exemption, the structure must be used as a tool or storage shed, playhouse or similar use and may not be used for a separately regulated use under Chapter 14, Article 1. In residential zones, non-habitable accessory buildings may not be used for living or sleeping. Section 131.0448 allows specified utility-supported activities such as lighting, laundry equipment, a half bathroom and, with a recorded owner agreement, a shower.
Zoning & Placement Rules
Zoning Rules
A shed remains subject to the property's base-zone, overlay-zone, planned-district and other land-development regulations even if no Building Permit is required. In residential zones, Section 131.0448 regulates non-habitable accessory buildings and limits the combined square footage of those accessory buildings, excluding garages, to 25 percent of the premises' allowable gross floor area. Separate development approval may be required because of location, site conditions or a requested deviation.
Setback Rules
Setbacks depend on the property's zone; there is no single citywide shed setback. In RS and RX zones, RM-1-1, RM-1-2 and RM-1-3 zones, and qualifying small-lot subdivisions, Section 131.0461(a)(12) allows a garage or non-habitable accessory building to encroach into a required side or rear yard when the lot is 10,000 square feet or less, the portion within the setback is no more than 15 feet high, the building does not share a common wall with the primary dwelling, the encroachment is no more than 30 feet long in a given setback, and the encroaching accessory building is no more than 525 square feet. Higher-density RM zones have additional encroachment limits.
Maximum Height Rules
Maximum structure height is generally controlled by the underlying base zone, applicable building-envelope rules and any overlay-zone height limit; San Diego does not publish one citywide maximum height solely for sheds. Where the residential side- or rear-yard accessory-building encroachment in Section 131.0461(a)(12) is used, the portion within the setback is limited to 15 feet of structure height.
Lot Coverage Rules
Lot coverage and floor-area limits depend on the underlying zone. In residential zones, Section 131.0448 separately limits the combined square footage of all non-habitable accessory buildings, excluding garages, to 25 percent of the allowable gross floor area of the premises. Other base-zone, steep-hillside and overlay standards may further limit development.
Special Area Rules
Special-site rules can change the approval path. The Section 129.0203 Building Permit exemption does not apply when development involves alteration, repair or improvement of a historical resource or when a premises contains environmentally sensitive lands that require a development permit. Development Services states that Coastal Overlay Zone projects may require a Coastal Development Permit, environmentally sensitive lands may require a Site Development Permit or Neighborhood Development Permit, and historic-resource review may be required based on the property's age or designation. Properties in a mapped Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone may also be subject to wildfire ignition-resistance and defensible-space requirements.
Construction Requirements
Foundation Rules
The permit exemption is limited to detached accessory buildings supported on the ground. For permitted accessory structures serving single-family, duplex or townhome properties, Information Bulletin 141 allows foundation design on non-expansive natural ground using a 1,500 psf presumptive bearing capacity with the required note, or current California Residential Code bearing values with a licensed civil engineer or architect signature. Structures supported on fill or expansive soil require a preliminary or as-graded geotechnical report prepared by a registered design professional.
Fire Separation Rules
Zoning setback allowances do not override building or fire-safety requirements. Under Section 131.0443, the Fire Code Official may require a defensible-space buffer greater than the base-zone setback to satisfy applicable California Building Standards Code safety requirements. A permitted shed's exterior-wall and opening protection is reviewed under the applicable current building or residential code based on location and construction, and the Section 129.0203 Building Permit exemption does not waive other applicable safety regulations.
Permit & Review Path
Permit / Review Path
If all Section 129.0203 shed-exemption conditions are met, no Building Permit application is required, but zoning and other applicable regulations still apply. Otherwise, apply online for Building Construction – General: the City identifies Combination Building for single dwelling units, accessory dwelling units and duplexes, and Building for all other buildings. Development Services classifies accessory-structure additions as a Short review category; any required development or discretionary approval must be issued before the Building Permit.
Trade Permits & Professional Design
Trade Permit Rules
A shed's Building Permit exemption is not an exemption from electrical, plumbing or mechanical permit requirements. Separate trade permits may be required unless the specific trade work is independently exempt. Information Bulletin 501 directs applicants to the applicable electrical, mechanical and plumbing/gas permit fee and process guidance for trade work.
Professional Design Rules
A licensed design professional is not automatically required for every shed submittal, but Section 129.0206 allows the Building Official to require proof that state law permits unlicensed preparation and to require plans, computations or specifications by a California-licensed architect or engineer. When state law or the Building Official requires professional preparation, Section 129.0207 requires a California architect or engineer registered in the relevant discipline. Information Bulletin 141 also requires a registered design professional for geotechnical reports on fill or expansive soil, and its alternative bearing-capacity method requires the foundation plan to be signed by a California civil engineer or architect.
What You Need Before Applying
Requirements
Determine whether the shed qualifies for the San Diego Municipal Code Section 129.0203 Building Permit exemption. A non-exempt shed requires a Building Permit and must comply with applicable building, zoning, land-development, fire-safety and site rules. Use the applicable Building Construction – General record, submit the required plans and supporting documents, obtain any required development approval before permit issuance, pay assessed fees and complete required inspections.
Required Documents
For a non-exempt Building Permit, principal submittals include building construction plans; calculations and a geotechnical report when required; Project Contacts Information (DS-345); and the Storm Water Requirements Applicability Checklist (DS-560). A Water Meter Data Card (DS-16) is required when plumbing fixtures are added or changed. Historical-resource documentation and other project-specific forms may be required based on the property and scope.