Calaveras County · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Calaveras County

In unincorporated Calaveras County, the county code limits home businesses and a detached accessory structure built on a lot without a main use. Home businesses also need a separate county business license.

Ask about building on your lot in Calaveras County See coverage

Key points

Home businesses: County code: home businesses are limited to 33% of all structures' floor area, 3 customers at a time and 1 employee besides residents.
Accessory structures: On a lot without a main use, one unplumbed, unwired detached accessory structure is allowed; the county sets 120 and 576 square foot limits.

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

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

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Calaveras County code What Calaveras County's code adds
Size or lot coverage	One detached accessory structure of at most 120 square feet. Applies: On a lot without a permitted main use, and only if it has no plumbing or electricity. § 17.16.030 · code text A maximum of one detached accessory structure with a maximum size of one hundred twenty square feet plus one detached accessory structure with a maximum size of five hundred seventy-six square feet may be allowed on a lot without a permitted main use provided neither is plumbed or electrified. One detached accessory structure of at most 576 square feet. Applies: On a lot without a permitted main use, and only if it has no plumbing or electricity. § 17.16.030 · code text A maximum of one detached accessory structure with a maximum size of one hundred twenty square feet plus one detached accessory structure with a maximum size of five hundred seventy-six square feet may be allowed on a lot without a permitted main use provided neither is plumbed or electrified.

Running a business from home

Calaveras County code What Calaveras County's code adds
Space used	No more than 33% of the total floor area of all buildings on the property. § 17.25.140 · code text No more than thirty-three percent of the total floor area of all the structures on the property may be used in the conduct of the home occupation.
Customer visits	No more than 3 customers or clients at any time. § 17.25.140 · code text The number of customers or clients shall be limited to three at any time.
Employees	At most 1 employee or independent contractor may work there. Applies: In addition to people who live on the property, except as otherwise allowed for cottage food operations. § 17.25.140 · code text In addition to individuals residing on the property, a maximum of one employee or independent contractor shall be permitted to work at the location of a home occupation except as otherwise allowed for cottage food operations. At most 1 full-time equivalent cottage food employee. Applies: For cottage food operations, in addition to the operator and household members who live in the unit. § 17.25.140 · code text Only the cottage food operator and members of the household living in the unit, as well as one full-time equivalent cottage food employee, may participate in a cottage food operation.
Permit	A separate county business license for each home business. Applies: Where applicable. § 17.25.140 · code text Where applicable, a separate county business license is required for each home occupation.
Businesses not allowed	eating and drinking establishments; hotels and motels; retail sales § 17.25.140 · code text The following specific businesses are not permitted as home occupations: 1. Eating and drinking establishments; and 2. Hotels and motels; and 3. Retail sales.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Calaveras County code What Calaveras County's code adds
EV charger permit	Over-the-counter permit; no electrical plan check. Applies: EV chargers and related electrical equipment rated under 400 amps. § 15.11.040 · code text EVSEs and their associated electrical equipment rated for less than four hundred amps do not require an electrical plan check, and a permit for that specific installation may be obtained over the counter from the building official. Apply in person or electronically through the building official's online system. § 15.11.030 · code text The application for permit shall meet the requirements of Sections 15.11.020, 15.11.030, and 15.11.040 and may be submitted in person or electronically through the online submittal system maintained by the building official.
Solar height and setbacks	At most 25 feet, or the zone's maximum height, whichever is less. Applies: Ground-mounted solar energy systems. § 17.25.230 · code text The maximum height of a ground-mounted solar energy collector system is twenty-five feet or the maximum height allowed in the base or overlay zone, whichever is less.
Solar permit process	No use permit is required. Applies: Roof-mounted solar systems, and ground-mounted systems over a parking area. § 17.25.230 · code text Roof-mounted solar energy systems and ground-mounted solar energy systems located over a parking area are allowed in all zones and no use permit is required. Administrative use permit approval is required. Applies: Ground-mounted solar systems not over a parking area. § 17.25.230 · code text Ground-mounted solar energy systems that are not located over a parking area are subject to administrative use permit approval.

Swimming pools

Calaveras County code What Calaveras County's code adds
Setback from property lines	At least 5 feet from any property line. Applies: Pools and spas over 18 inches deep, measured from the inside wall of the water area. § 17.16.130 · code text The inside wall of the water-containing portion of any swimming pool or spa shall be located a minimum of five feet from any property line.

Pets, chickens and bees

Calaveras County code What Calaveras County's code adds
Bees	Allowed only with the landowner's or public agency's permission. Applies: Beehives kept on another person's land or a public right-of-way. § 5.08.030 · code text No apiary shall be located or kept upon the land of another or on a public right-of-way without first obtaining the permission of the landowner, person entitled to possession of the land or the public agency having or administering such public right-of-way to place said apiary thereon.
Large animals	Livestock may not be kept on another's land without written consent, or on public lands or highways, or run loose. Applies: Livestock control. § 6.10.070 · code text No person having or having charge, care, custody or control of any livestock shall cause or permit either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any such animal to be placed, staked, or to graze or be upon the land of another without the written consent of the owner or person in lawful possession of the land, or upon public lands or highways, or to allow any such animal to run at large.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

On a lot without a main use, one unplumbed, unwired detached accessory structure is allowed; the county sets 120 and 576 square foot limits.

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

County code: home businesses are limited to 33% of all structures' floor area, 3 customers at a time and 1 employee besides residents.

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

Calaveras County's code: Over-the-counter permit; no electrical plan check. (EV chargers and related electrical equipment rated under 400 amps.) (§ 15.11.040); Apply in person or electronically through the building official's online system. (§ 15.11.030).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Calaveras County?

Calaveras County's code: At least 5 feet from any property line. (Pools and spas over 18 inches deep, measured from the inside wall of the water area.) (§ 17.16.130).

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

Calaveras County's code: Allowed only with the landowner's or public agency's permission. (Beehives kept on another person's land or a public right-of-way.) (§ 5.08.030); Livestock may not be kept on another's land without written consent, or on public lands or highways, or run loose. (Livestock control.) (§ 6.10.070).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Calaveras County property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Calaveras County

Calaveras County Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Calaveras County

Buying & selling in Calaveras County

Calaveras County overview