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Tool Sheds, Detached Garages, Guest House, etc.
Key ResourcesSetbacks - What are they? Zoning Interpretation onSetbacks for Accessory Buildings (pdf / 184 kb / 2 pgs) Corner lots Side Yard Requirements Submittal RequirementsDetached Garage / Storage Shed |
Single-Family zoning districts in the City of Scottsdale refer to the permitted uses found in the R1-43 district; this refers to accessory buildings as well. Construction of the main building must be underway before any accessory building construction can occur.
Please Note: The requirements listed below are the typical accessory structure requirements. Some developments have adopted amended development standards and some zonings have additional restrictions (i.e. in the Foothills Overlay area a separate set of standards apply). Properties located in the Environmentally Sensitive Lands overlay areas are required to dedicate a percentage of land as Natural Area Open Space (NAOS); no building of any kind is allowed within the dedicated NAOS.
To determine the exact requirements for a specific property,
submit a setback request .
Restrictions/Requirements for Accessory Structures (Sec. 7.200.A)
- Not permitted in the required front or side yard setbacks.
- Can be constructed in a rear yard but cannot occupy more than 30% of the rear yard (except in R-5 multiple-family residential districts where 75% coverage is allowed).
- Minimum of 2 feet set back from property line, for every foot taller than 10 feet, add an additional foot to the setback. Example: 14 ft structure requires a 6 ft setback; 2 ft min setback + (14 ft actual height - 10 ft allowed height) = 6 ft. setback
- In most zoning districts must be a minimum of 10 feet from the main structure.
Additional Guest House Requirements (Sec. 5.102.A.6)
In addition to the above, guest houses with cooking facilities are subject to the following criteria:
- The minimum lot size where allowed is 35,000 square feet.
- No more than 1 per lot shall be permitted.
- Parking, if provided, shall be located behind the established front building line.
- Can be no larger than 50% of the main structure, and no taller.
- Guest house may NOT be used as rental units
Guest Houses without cooking facilities must meet the above criteria EXCEPT that they may be provided on any single-family lot, regardless of the lot size, provided the applicable setbacks can still be met
Additional Detached Garage Requirements (Section 7.200.A)
In addition to the above, the following requirements apply to accessory buildings used as a garage or carport:
- Access from an alley - must be setback a minimum of 15 feet from the centerline of the alley, except that 1 additional foot of setback shall be provided for each foot of building height above 12 feet.
- Direct access from a street - must be setback a minimum of 20 feet to the back of ultimate improvements (including sidewalks, etc.), except that 1additional foot of setback shall be provided for each foot of building height above 12 feet.
Accessory Structures in the Foothills Overlay area
Properties located in the Foothills Overlay have a completely different set of development standards for accessory structures. The setbacks, max building area, total sq ft of all accessory structures (including barns) are all determined from several factors that include the underlying zoning, the lot size and the square footage of the main residence. To assist you in estimating your development standards for your lot, we have created the following informational guides; select the guide that includes the underlying zoning for your lot.
- R1-190, R1-130, & R1-70 ESL FO (pdf / 47 kb / 2 pgs)
- R1-43 (pdf / 47 kb / 2 pgs)
Do you need a permit?
For residential detached accessory buildings (storage sheds, etc), if the size of the building is less than 200 sq ft then you do not need a permit -- but you MUST meet the required setbacks and obtain plan approval from the Planning Services staff at the One Stop Shop.
Submittal Checklists - for projects that DO need permits (which is most of them).
