Calistoga · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Calistoga

Calistoga sets its own height, setback and yard-coverage limits for accessory structures and requires a permit for home businesses. It also has a chapter on fences, hedges and walls.

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Key points

Accessory height: R-1 and R-1-10 accessory structures are limited to 15 feet at a 5-foot setback, plus 2 feet per added foot, up to 25 feet.
Home businesses: A home business needs a city home occupation permit; auto repair, carpentry, welding, medical offices and firearm dealing are among the uses not allowed.
Fences: Calistoga regulates fences, hedges and walls in Chapter 17.52 of its code.

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

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Calistoga code What Calistoga's code adds
Maximum height	Accessory buildings can be at most 25 feet tall. Applies: In R-1 and R-1-10: 15 feet at a 5-foot setback, plus 2 feet per added foot of setback, up to 25 feet. § 17.38.050 · code text The maximum height of accessory buildings and structures in the R-1 and R-1-10 zoning districts shall be 15 feet for structures set back five feet from the property line, and shall increase by two feet for every additional foot the structure is set back from the property line, up to 25 feet in maximum height, except as follows: At most 10 feet tall. Applies: For unenclosed accessory structures that use the reduced 3-foot side or rear setback. § 17.38.050 · code text Unenclosed accessory buildings and structures as described in subsection (A)(2)(a) of this section shall be no taller than 10 feet in height. At most 10 feet tall. Applies: For enclosed accessory structures of 120 square feet or less that use the reduced 3-foot side or rear setback. § 17.38.050 · code text Enclosed accessory buildings and structures as described in subsection (A)(2)(b) of this section shall be no more than 10 feet in height.
Size or lot coverage	Accessory buildings and structures can cover no more than 50% of a required yard. § 17.38.050 · code text Accessory buildings and structures may not cover more than 50 percent of a required yard area. Up to 5% more lot coverage is allowed. Applies: For accessory dwelling units and unenclosed accessory structures in the R-1 and R-1-10 districts. § 17.38.050 · code text In the R-1 and R-1-10 districts, additional lot coverage of up to five percent is allowed for accessory dwelling units and unenclosed accessory structures.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from interior side and rear lot lines, with some exceptions. Applies: For accessory buildings and structures. § 17.38.050 · code text Interior side yard and rear yard setbacks for accessory buildings and structures shall be at least five feet, except as follows: At least 3 feet from the side or rear line. Applies: For unenclosed accessory buildings and structures no taller than 10 feet. § 17.38.050 · code text Unenclosed accessory buildings and structures no taller than 10 feet shall maintain a setback of at least three feet. At least 3 feet from the side or rear line. Applies: For enclosed accessory buildings and structures no taller than 10 feet and no larger than 120 square feet. § 17.38.050 · code text Enclosed accessory buildings and structures no taller than 10 feet and no larger than 120 square feet shall maintain a setback of at least three feet. At least 6 feet from the side or rear line. Applies: For swimming pools and hot tubs, both the water and the related equipment. § 17.38.050 · code text For swimming pools and hot tubs, the body of water and associated equipment shall maintain a setback of at least six feet.

Running a business from home

Calistoga code What Calistoga's code adds
Permit	A home occupation permit is required. Applies: Allowed in R-R, RR-H, R-1, R-2, R-3, MHP and residential PD districts, and for a legal home in a commercial or industrial zone. § 17.43.020 · code text In the event a residence is located in a commercial or industrial zoning classification and is a legal nonconforming use or legally established in accordance with the provisions of this title, a home occupation permit may be issued.
Businesses not allowed	Automotive and other vehicle repair, including mobile repair services (body or mechanical), upholstery, painting, or storage; carpentry or cabinet making; welding and machine operations; medical offices, clinics or laboratories; animal hospitals and grooming facilities; contractor's storage yards or junk yards; escort services; dancing, martial arts or exercise studios which serve more than two persons during any four-hour period; day care for greater than seven children; dealing in or with firearms; and other uses similar in nature determined incompatible with or detrimental to residential activities by the Director of Planning and Building § 17.43.050 · code text The following uses, either by operation or nature, are not considered to be incidental to or compatible with residential activities and therefore shall not be permitted as home occupations:

Solar panels and EV chargers

Calistoga code What Calistoga's code adds
EV charger permit	Allowed as an accessory use in any zoning district. Applies: Battery charging stations. § 17.38.070 · code text Zero-emission vehicles – battery charging station shall be an allowed accessory use in any zoning district.

Pets, chickens and bees

Calistoga code What Calistoga's code adds
Chickens	Yes; hens only, no roosters; the number allowed depends on the zoning district. § 6.06.020 · code text The maximum number of chickens that may be kept on a property shall be determined by the applicable zoning district.
Coop setback	At least 5 feet. Applies: From side and rear interior property lines. § 6.06.040 · code text Coops and pens shall be set back a minimum of five feet from side and rear interior property lines. At least 20 feet. Applies: From any building on a neighboring property used or usable for living. § 6.06.040 · code text Coops and pens shall be located at least 20 feet from any building on a neighboring property used or capable of being used for human habitation.
Permit	A building permit is required for coops over 120 square feet or with electricity or plumbing. Applies: Coop structures. § 6.06.040 · code text A building permit shall be obtained for coop structures exceeding 120 square feet and/or when electricity or plumbing is installed.

Other Calistoga rules on this

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

Fences, hedges and walls (Ch. 17.52)
Draining a pool into the sewer (§ 13.08.340)
Protected trees and fencing during site work (Ch. 19.01)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Calistoga?

Calistoga regulates fences, hedges and walls in Chapter 17.52 of its code. Calistoga also has a related rule: Fences, hedges and walls (Ch. 17.52).

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

R-1 and R-1-10 accessory structures are limited to 15 feet at a 5-foot setback, plus 2 feet per added foot, up to 25 feet.

Can I run a business from my home in Calistoga?

A home business needs a city home occupation permit; auto repair, carpentry, welding, medical offices and firearm dealing are among the uses not allowed.

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

Calistoga's code: Allowed as an accessory use in any zoning district. (Battery charging stations.) (§ 17.38.070).

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

Calistoga's code: Yes; hens only, no roosters; the number allowed depends on the zoning district. (§ 6.06.020); At least 5 feet. (From side and rear interior property lines.) (§ 6.06.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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