San Mateo (city), CA: backyard pod and shed permit line

The city page says no permit below 120 sq ft and a permit above 120 sq ft. Exactly 120 sq ft is not addressed, so that size is shown here as a question for the Building Division.

“A building permit is not required for accessory buildings less than 120 square feet, but setback requirements in the front 2/3 of the lot must be met.”

From City of San Mateo Building Division, read Nov 5, 2026.

The conditions, one by one

Size line	120 sq ft (written as less than)
Measured as	area (basis not stated)
Height	height limits in the rear third of the lot come from the Planning Division
Power	Not covered on this page.
Use	Not stated.

Size line

120 sq ft (written as less than)

Measured as

area (basis not stated)

Height

height limits in the rear third of the lot come from the Planning Division

Power

Not covered on this page.

Use

Not stated.

Also on the page

Not allowed in required front yard setbacks or in side yards in the front two thirds of the lot
Allowed in the rear third of the lot, up to the property line

Pod sizes against this line

9 of 36 pod sizes are inside the 120 sq ft line by floor area. 4 sit exactly on it. 23 are over.

Autonomous MetroPod: 80 sq ft
Autonomous WorkPod: 102 sq ft
Autonomous StudioPod: 105 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 10 ft: 80 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 12 ft: 96 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 8 x 14 ft: 112 sq ft
Studio Home Signature 10 x 10 ft: 100 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 8 x 12 ft: 96 sq ft
Studio Home Portland 8 x 14 ft: 112 sq ft

On the line: Studio Home Signature 10 x 12 ft, Studio Home Portland 10 x 12 ft, Kanga Room Systems Modern Kwik Room 10 x 12 ft, Kanga Room Systems Cottage Kwik Room 10 x 12 ft.

Second check

Same 120 sq ft line as San Mateo County's unincorporated-area page.

This page repeats the published rule and does the arithmetic on published sizes. Zoning, HOA rules and setbacks can still block a building the permit rule allows. Ask the office above before you order.