Amador County · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Amador County

Amador County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. It sets where detached accessory buildings may stand and allows home businesses only in some districts, with a use permit.

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Key points

Accessory buildings: County rules let detached accessory buildings on a lot's rear half have a 1-foot setback, but at least 6 feet from any alley.
Home business: County home businesses may use 25% of the dwelling's floor area, at most 250 square feet, with 1 employee and a use permit.

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

Amador County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Amador County have their own codes and their own pages.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Amador County code What Amador County's code adds
Side and rear setback	At least 6 feet from rear and side property lines. Applies: Detached accessory buildings used as accessory dwelling units or as any kind of living or sleeping quarters. § 19.48.110 · code text Detached accessory buildings used as accessory dwelling units (as defined in Chapter 19.72) or as living or sleeping quarters of any kind shall be at least six feet from rear or side property lines and at least six feet from the main building. At least 1 foot from any lot line. Applies: Detached accessory buildings on the rear half of the lot; also at least 6 feet from any alley, and not on any easement or right-of-way. § 19.48.110 · code text Detached accessory buildings shall not be located within six feet of any alley or one foot of any lot line on the rear one-half of the lot, and shall not encroach on any easement or right-of-way of record.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from the house. Applies: Detached accessory buildings. § 19.48.110 · code text Detached accessory buildings shall not be located closer than six feet to the main building and shall not be located closer to the front property line than the required front setback.

Running a business from home

Amador County code What Amador County's code adds
Space used	No more than 25% of the home's floor area, and never more than 250 square feet. § 19.48.125 · code text Home occupations shall be clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential use of the property and shall not occupy more than twenty-five percent of the floor area of the dwelling, and in no case more than two hundred fifty square feet.
Employees	No more than 1 employee. § 19.48.125 · code text No more than one employee shall be employed in the home occupation.
Permit	A use permit from the planning department is required. Applies: Home businesses are allowed only in the R1, R1A, RE, A, AG and X districts. § 19.48.125 · code text Home occupations as defined in Section 19.08.335 in this title shall be allowed in the zone districts cited in this chapter; provided, however, that a use permit is obtained from the planning department;
Businesses not allowed	Sale of products other than products hand-crafted by the proprietor(s) or directly related and incidental to a service provided § 19.48.125 · code text There shall be no sale of products other than products which are hand-crafted by the proprietor(s) of the home occupation or which are directly related and incidental to a service provided.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Amador County code What Amador County's code adds
EV charger permit	The building official approves the application and issues all needed permits when it meets the county's adopted checklist. Applies: The charging station may not be turned on or used until the county grants approval. § 15.12.040 · code text the building official shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, approve the application and issue all necessary permits.

Pets, chickens and bees

Amador County code What Amador County's code adds
Large animals	Livestock pens and feeding areas must be at least 25 feet from all property lines. Applies: Applies to enclosed pens and feeding areas on parcels less than 10 acres. § 19.48.065 · code text Enclosed pens and feeding areas for livestock on parcels less than ten acres in size shall observe a minimum twenty-five-foot setback from all property lines.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Amador County?

County rules let detached accessory buildings on a lot's rear half have a 1-foot setback, but at least 6 feet from any alley.

Can I run a business from my home in Amador County?

County home businesses may use 25% of the dwelling's floor area, at most 250 square feet, with 1 employee and a use permit.

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Amador County?

Amador County's code: The building official approves the application and issues all needed permits when it meets the county's adopted checklist. (The charging station may not be turned on or used until the county grants approval.) (§ 15.12.040).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Amador County?

Amador County's code: Livestock pens and feeding areas must be at least 25 feet from all property lines. (Applies to enclosed pens and feeding areas on parcels less than 10 acres.) (§ 19.48.065).

General information, not legal advice.

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