An accessory structure is a “detached subordinate structures, the use of which is customarily incidental to, and supportive of, the principal structure or the principal use of land and which is located on the same parcel of ground with the principal structure or use.” Generally, accessory structures include accessory dwelling units, workshops, garages, pool houses, barns, ramadas, pergolas, and sheds; these can include attached and detached structures. 

• All structures attached to the home require a building permit
• Detached structures that are 200 square feet and greater require a building permit
• If the structure includes a media wall that is above 7-feet in height, a building permit for the wall is required
• Electrical and gas permits are also required, if proposed

A site plan is a drawing of the lot showing the following:

• Location of property lines on all sides
• All existing buildings on the lot, including their dimensions and distances to property lines
• All proposed additions or structures with their dimensions and distances to property lines
• Total square footage of the lot, existing buildings and proposed additions
• All required setbacks
• Proposed lot coverage percentage

Elevations are dimensioned drawings, pictures or renderings of the structure showing and labeling the following, demonstrating that the structure matches the color, material, and architectural design of the primary residence (where applicable):

• Design materials
• Colors
• Height
• Roof material, type, pitch, and fascia
• Window details (e.g. 2-inch recess, window trim pop outs, etc.)
• Door design (if applicable)
• Dimensions and detail of structural and architectural elements (e.g. post dimensions, header dimensions, decorative end cuts)

For many residential properties in Town, accessory structures are required to match the color, material, and architectural design of the primary residence.  The elevations provided should easily depict the architecture of the proposed structure to meet this requirement.

Generally, the more detail provided, the better. Graphic elevations, picture examples, and dimensions help to accurately depict what is being proposed. 

Construction plans shall include foundation plans, roof framing plans, cross-section/dimensions, elevations, color and building material, and all applicable connection details and as applicable for the construction of the proposed work. Construction plans shall comply with prescriptive requirements in the current adopted residential code or shall be designed by an Arizona Registrant.

• Height:  An attached accessory structure may not exceed the maximum height of the underlying zoning district.
• Setbacks:  Attached structures must meet the side, rear, and front setbacks of the underlying zoning district for the property.  
• Lot Coverage:  The attached structure in addition to the primary structure, covered porches and patios, detached garages, accessory dwelling units, and all other accessory buildings or structures that require a building permit and / or are larger than 120 square feet may not exceed the maximum lot coverage for the property. 
• Accessory structures cannot be located in the required front yard setback.

For structures within the Rural Zoning Districts A-1, AT, R1-190, R1-154, R1-108, R1-54, R1-43:

• Setbacks: 
  • For structures 15-feet in height or lower: Detached accessory buildings in the R1-43 zoning district ONLY shall not be closer than five feet (5’) from the rear and ten feet (10’) from the side lot lines.  Detached accessory buildings in the A-1, AT, R1-190, R1-154, R1-108, R1-54 zoning districts may be 5 feet from the rear property line and must meet the sideyard setback of the underlying zoning district.
  • For structures over 15-feet in height:  Detached accessory buildings must meet the side and rear property setbacks for the underlying zoning district.
• Height: Detached accessory structures that encroach into the setbacks cannot exceed 15-feet in height.  Structures built outside of the setbacks may not exceed the maximum height of the underlying zoning district, which is typically 30-feet.
• Design:  Detached accessory buildings (garages, sheds, barns, workshops, ramadas, pergolas. etc.) are not required to match the design of the primary residence. The color(s) of detached accessory buildings should be consistent with the primary residence.
• Lot Coverage: A detached accessory structure in addition to the primary structure, covered porches and patios, accessory dwelling units, and all other accessory buildings or structures that require a building permit and / or are larger than 120 square feet may not exceed the maximum lot coverage for the property. An additional five percent (5%) maximum lot coverage shall be provided exclusively for detached accessory buildings, excluding accessory dwelling units. 
• Accessory structures cannot be located in the required front yard setback.
• Accessory structures may cover up to a maximum of 30% of the rear yard setback area.
• CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE PLOT PLAN DESCRIBING THE REQUIREMENTS ABOVE FOR STRUCTURES WITHIN THE A-1, AT, R1-190, R1-154, R1-108 & R1-54 DISTRICTS
• CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE PLOT PLAN DESCRIBING THE REQUIREMENTS ABOVE FOR STRUCTURES WITHIN THE R1-43 DISTRICT

For structures within the R1-35, R1-18, R1-15, R1-12, R1-9, R1-8, R1-7, R1-6, R1-5, R1-4, and MDR zoning districts:

• Setbacks:
  • For structures 15-feet in height or lower:  Detached accessory buildings in the R1-35 zoning district shall not be closer than five feet (5’) from the rear and ten feet (10’) from the side lot lines. Detached accessory buildings in all other Suburban Zoning Districts and all Urban Zoning Districts shall not be closer than five feet (5’) from the rear and side lot lines and not exceed a height of fifteen feet (15’).
  • For structures greater than 15-feet in height:  Detached accessory buildings must meet the side and rear property setbacks for the underlying zoning district.
• Height: Detached accessory structures that encroach into the setbacks cannot exceed 15-feet in height.  Structures built outside of the setbacks may not exceed the maximum height of the underlying zoning district, which is typically 30-feet.
• Design:  Detached accessory buildings (garages, sheds, workshops, ramadas, pergolas, etc.), excluding detached accessory dwelling units, shall be of the same architectural design, including building materials, roof type, and color as the primary residence. 
• Lot Coverage: A detached accessory structure must maintain the maximum lot coverage of the underlying zoning district. An additional five percent (5%) maximum lot coverage shall be provided exclusively for detached accessory buildings, excluding accessory dwelling units.
• Accessory structures cannot be located in the required front yard setback.
• Accessory structures may cover up to a maximum of 30% of the rear yard setback area.
• CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE PLOT PLAN DESCRIBING THE REQUIREMENTS ABOVE FOR STRUCTURES WITHIN THE R1-35, R1-18, R1-15, R1-12, R1-9, R1-8, R1-7, R1-6, R1-5, R1-4, and MDR DISTRICTS

 

Patio covers, ramadas, and pergolas, which may be attached to or detached from the primary residence, can be permitted in compliance with the setback, height, and lot coverage requirements noted in the answers above.  Additionally, such structures can be permitted in conformance with Town Design Standards if the following lattice-type elements are incorporated into the architecture:

• Decorative end cuts / caps (scalloped, corbel, mitered, beveled)
• Exposed rafter tails
• Decorative columns
• Color found on the main residence
• Columns with decorative side plats
• Columns that are in balance with the mass of the roof
• Fascia 
• More modern ramadas can also be permitted in compliance with the Town Design Standards if the structure incorporates substantial posts and fascia (6 inches minimum).

For structures within the R1-35, R1-18, R1-15, R1-12, and Urban Zoning Districts R1-9, R1-8, R1-7, R1-6, R1-5, R1-4, and MDR zoning districts:

• Detached accessory sheds not exceeding 120 square feet in area and a height of 7 feet shall be allowed in the rear and side yards without setback.  These sheds are not subject to the same architectural design as the primary residence.
• Sheds above 120 square feet and/or over 7-feet in height shall be setback 5-feet from the side and rear property lines.  
• Sheds above 200 square feet require a building permit and must match the color, materials, and architectural design of the primary residence. 

Where permitted, stables used for the keeping of agricultural animals shall be located behind the front face plane of the principal building or structure. Stables shall be set back a minimum of five feet (5’) from the rear property and five feet (5’) from the side property lines. Stables shall not exceed the height regulations of the zoning district in which they are located. Where allowed to be located within the setbacks, stable height shall not exceed fifteen feet (15’).

On a lot that is less than one acre in size, chicken coops shall be located within the building envelope or the rear one-half of the lot. If located within the rear one-half of the lot, the aviary shall be a minimum of five (5) feet from any property line. All aviaries shall be no taller than six (6) feet in height and screened by a six (6) foot tall block wall.

No. Accessory buildings, accessory dwelling units, or accessory uses shall not be constructed or established on a lot until construction of the principal building has been substantially commenced or the primary use established.