Building on your lot in Alturas

Each rule below is marked Alturas code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Running a business from home

Alturas code What Alturas's code adds
Customer visits	No more than 6 students per group lesson at a time, once per day. Applies: Group lessons by appointment only, on parcels smaller than 1 acre. § 28.38.070 · code text Group lessons shall be limited to a maximum of six students per group lesson at any one time, once per day, on parcels less than one acre, or twice per day on parcels one acre or greater, provided adequate parking is available. No more than 6 students per group lesson at a time, twice per day. Applies: Group lessons by appointment only, on parcels of 1 acre or more, if there is enough parking. § 28.38.070 · code text Group lessons shall be limited to a maximum of six students per group lesson at any one time, once per day, on parcels less than one acre, or twice per day on parcels one acre or greater, provided adequate parking is available. No more than 40 attendees. Applies: Student concerts, recitals, performances and showings on site, held between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., no more than 4 times per year. § 28.38.070 · code text Student concerts, recitals, performance events, and showings are permitted on site if they are limited to forty attendees, are held between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., are held no more often than four times per year.
Employees	Up to 2 full-time or part-time employees can work on site. Applies: Only employees on the owner's direct payroll and supervision, and only if a Change of Use is processed with the Building Department. § 28.38.070 · code text In addition, up to two full or part-time employees, under the direct payroll and supervision of the business owner, shall be allowed to work on site if a "Change of Use" is processed with the Building Department pursuant to Building Code Section 1101B.6 (Commercial Facilities Located in Private Residences).
Permit	A city Business License is required. § 28.38.070 · code text As with all businesses in the City, a Business License is required to operate a business out of the home. Allowed by right, with no special permit, unless stated otherwise. Applies: In all Residential and Agricultural Zones, when the business meets the listed standards. § 28.38.070 · code text Home Occupations shall be allowed by right, unless otherwise indicated below, in all Residential and Agricultural Zones if they are in compliance with the following standards: An Administrative Permit is required. Applies: When equipment or processes make noise, vibration, dust, glare, fumes, odors or electrical interference that can be noticed off the property. § 28.38.070 · code text As part of the Home Occupation, no equipment or process shall be used that create noise, vibration, dust, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical interference detectable to the normal senses off-site unless an Administrative Permit is issued pursuant to Subsection D (below). An Administrative Permit is required. Applies: Animal boarding for up to 6 dogs, 8 cats, or 20 small animals, not counting the owner's own animals. § 28.38.070 · code text All animal boarding requires the approval of an Administrative Permit (for up to 6 dogs or 8 cats of any size and age, or up to 20 Small Animals, exclusive of the animals owned by the business owner), or a Use Permit processed pursuant to Subsection D or E below. A Use Permit is required, as the other option to an Administrative Permit. Applies: Animal boarding. § 28.38.070 · code text All animal boarding requires the approval of an Administrative Permit (for up to 6 dogs or 8 cats of any size and age, or up to 20 Small Animals, exclusive of the animals owned by the business owner), or a Use Permit processed pursuant to Subsection D or E below.

Pets, chickens and bees

Alturas code What Alturas's code adds
Chickens	Yes. No more than 7 poultry in total on a property. Applies: Not allowed on property with multifamily housing. Crowing roosters are not allowed. § 4-10 · code text No person may keep, harbor, or maintain more than seven total poultry on any property within the city.
Coop setback	Coops must be at least 15 feet from any property line and any dwelling unit. Applies: Applies to all coops. § 4-10 · code text Coops must be kept at least 15 feet away from any property line and any dwelling unit.
Permit	You need an administrative permit from the City of Alturas. Applies: Applies to cattle, horses, mules, burros, pigs, goats, sheep, turkeys, geese, or other livestock or poultry other than chickens and ducks. § 4-11 · code text Unless, they receive an administrative permit through the City of Alturas and comply with Section 28.31.030, Animal categories (including enclosure and shelter requirements).

Other Alturas rules on this

Alturas's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Detached garages, carports and other accessory structures (§ 28.41.070)
Fences, walls, retaining walls, gates and trellises (§ 28.41.060)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Alturas?

Alturas has a city section on fences, walls, retaining walls, gates and trellises (§ 28.41.060). Alturas also has a related rule: Fences, walls, retaining walls, gates and trellises (§ 28.41.060).

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Alturas?

Alturas has a city section on detached garages, carports and other accessory structures (§ 28.41.070). Alturas also has a related rule: Detached garages, carports and other accessory structures (§ 28.41.070).

Can I run a business from my home in Alturas?

Alturas home businesses need a business license and may have up to 2 employees on site; group lessons are limited to 6 students.

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Alturas?

Alturas's code: Yes. No more than 7 poultry in total on a property. (Not allowed on property with multifamily housing. Crowing roosters are not allowed.) (§ 4-10); Coops must be at least 15 feet from any property line and any dwelling unit. (Applies to all coops.) (§ 4-10).

General information, not legal advice.