Campbell · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Campbell

Campbell sets fence heights by distance from the front and street property lines and limits the height and size of accessory structures. Home businesses need a permit, and some uses are not allowed.

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Key points

Fence height: City rule: fences within 15 feet of the front property line are limited to 3½ feet; in interior side and rear yards, 6 feet.
Accessory structures: Accessory structures are limited to one story or 14 feet, and to 1,000 square feet for one and 200 for each additional one.
Home businesses: A home business needs a home occupation permit; barber shops, animal breeding, building contractors, seamstresses and vehicle repair are not allowed in residential zones.

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

Fences and walls

Campbell code What Campbell's code adds
Corner visibility	No fence, wall, lattice or screen in the corner triangle measured 30 feet along the front and street-side lines. Applies: In the street side yard of a corner lot. § 21.18.060 · code text not within the triangular area formed by measuring thirty feet along the front and street side property lines along the right-of-way from their "extended" intersection and connecting these two points. Nothing over 3 ½ feet tall in the triangle 10 feet along the street line and the driveway. Applies: At driveways. Applies to fences, walls, lattice and screens. § 21.18.060 · code text No fence wall, lattice or screen over three and a half feet shall be allowed within the triangular area formed by measuring ten feet along the street property line and ten feet along the driveway from their "extended" intersection and connecting these two points.
Height anywhere on the lot	Fences, walls, lattice or screens can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: All zones. Front: 15 feet back. Interior side and rear: to the line. Corner street side: 5 feet back, outside the 30-foot triangle. § 21.18.060 · code text A fence, wall, lattice or screen not more than six feet in height, may be allowed in all zoning districts as follows:
Front yard height	At most 3 ½ feet tall. Applies: Within 15 feet of the front property line. A fence up to 6 feet may be allowed at least 15 feet back. § 21.18.060 · code text A fence, wall, lattice or screen not exceeding three and a half feet may be allowed in any required front, side or rear yard in all zoning districts.
Side and rear yard height	Fences, walls, lattice or screens can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: In interior side yards and rear yards, on interior lots and corner lots. § 21.18.060 · code text A fence, wall, lattice or screen not more than six feet in height, may be allowed in all zoning districts as follows:

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Campbell code What Campbell's code adds
Maximum height	At most 1 story or 14 feet tall. § 21.36.020 · code text Accessory structures shall not exceed one story or fourteen feet in height;
Size or lot coverage	No accessory structure can be more than 1,000 square feet. Applies: For any one accessory structure. Each additional one on the lot is limited to 200 square feet. § 21.36.020 · code text No accessory structure shall exceed one thousand square feet. Each additional accessory structure can be at most 200 square feet. Applies: When a lot has more than one accessory structure. One may be up to 1,000 square feet. § 21.36.020 · code text If there is more than one accessory structure on a lot, one accessory structure shall be allowed up to 1,000 square feet and every one subsequent to that shall not exceed two hundred square feet;
Distance from the house	At least 10 feet from the main building. Applies: When the accessory structure is behind the main building. § 21.36.020 · code text If located to the rear of the main structure, a minimum separation of ten feet shall be required. At least 5 feet from the main building. Applies: When the accessory structure is beside the main building. § 21.36.020 · code text If located to the side of the main structure, a minimum separation of five feet shall be required.

Running a business from home

Campbell code What Campbell's code adds
Permit	A home occupation permit is required. Applies: For allowed home businesses. § 21.44.030 · code text shall be allowed upon issuance of a home occupation permit
Businesses not allowed	Barber and beauty shops; businesses which entail the breeding, grooming, harboring, raising, or training of dogs, cats, or other animals on the premises; building trades contractor; seamstress; vehicle repair (body or mechanical), upholstery, automobile detailing (e.g., washing, waxing, etc.), towing services, and painting; any use not specifically listed in subsection B of this section Applies: residential zoning districts § 21.44.030 · code text The following commercial uses are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities and are not permitted in residential zoning districts:

Lot splits under SB 9

Campbell code New lots must be about equal in area; no lot can be smaller than 40% of the original lot. Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet.

All 11 Campbell rules on lot splits under sb 9, with the code text and the state law underneath →

RV and boat parking

Campbell code What Campbell's code adds
Where it may be parked	On private property. Applies: Residential zones; not on or over a public sidewalk. § 21.28.120 · code text Recreational vehicles shall be parked on private property and shall not be parked on or over a public sidewalk; Not in the public right-of-way where signs prohibit it. Applies: Residential zones. § 21.28.120 · code text Recreational vehicles shall not be parked within the public right-of-way when signage has been posted prohibiting such parking;
Screening and surface	A paved surface is required. Applies: Residential zones. § 21.28.120 · code text Recreational vehicles shall be parked on a paved surface;
Living in an RV	Camping in an RV is prohibited, except as the city's camping chapter allows. Applies: RVs in residential zones. § 21.28.120 · code text Recreational vehicles shall not be used for camping purposes, except in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 6.40 of the Campbell Municipal Code.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Campbell code What Campbell's code adds
EV-ready new homes	One ready-to-use Level 1 110V 20A NEMA 1-20 outlet and one Level 2 208/240V 40A NEMA 14-40 outlet. Applies: All new homes, ADUs, condos and townhouses; Level 1 is 2-pole 3-wire, Level 2 is 3-pole 4-wire. § 18.26.050 · code text All residential new homes, ADU's, condominiums, and townhouses are required to provide one completed and ready to use (Level 1) 110 volt, 20-ampere, NEMA 1-20, 2 pole, 3 wire receptacle and a (Level 2) 208/240 volt, 40-ampere, NEMA 14-40, 3 pole, 4 wire receptacle One Level 1 110V 20A NEMA 1-20 outlet and one Level 2 208/240V 40A NEMA 14-40 outlet. Applies: New multifamily buildings with private garages; Level 1 is 2-pole 3-wire, Level 2 is 3-pole 4-wire. § 18.26.050 · code text Multifamily with private garages: One (Level 1) 110 volt, 20-ampere, NEMA 1-20, 2 pole, 3 wire, and one (Level 2) 208/240 volt, 40-ampere, NEMA 14-40, 3 pole, 4 wire receptacle, dedicated and labeled as EV Charging; 60% of parking spaces must have a Level 1 EV charging outlet. Applies: New multifamily buildings with shared parking. § 18.26.050 · code text 60% of all parking stalls or spaces to have a (Level 1) 110 volt, 20-ampere, NEMA 1-20, 2 pole, 3 wire 40% of parking spaces must have a Level 2 EV charging outlet. Applies: New multifamily buildings with shared parking. § 18.26.050 · code text 40% of all stalls or spaces to have (Level 2) 208/240 volt, 40-ampere, NEMA 14-40, 3 pole, 4 wire receptacle, dedicated and labeled as EV Charging.

Tree removal

Campbell code What Campbell's code adds
Exemptions	Dead or dying protected trees can be removed without a tree removal permit, after a zoning clearance by the director. § 21.32.065 · code text A protected tree determined to be dead or dying may be removed without a tree removal permit subject to the following procedure:
Permit to remove	Yes, a permit is required. Applies: Protected trees; no removal until permit conditions are met and the decision is final; Historic Preservation Board decides heritage trees without a development application. § 21.32.090 · code text No tree for which a tree removal permit is required shall be removed until all conditions of the permit have been satisfied and the decision has become final.
Protected trees	Any tree except fruit and Myrtaceae trees, 12 inches in diameter (38-inch circumference) or more, measured 4 feet above grade. Applies: Removal requests not tied to a development application, on all properties except developed single-family homes. § 21.32.090 · code text Any tree except fruit trees 5 and trees of the genus Myrtaceae 6 \| 12-inch diameter (38-inch circumference) Oaks, cedars, ash and redwoods 12 inches in diameter (38-inch circumference) or more, measured 4 feet above grade. Applies: Developed single-family property zoned R-1 or Planned Development, when not tied to a development application. § 21.32.090 · code text Trees of the species: Oaks (Quercus) Cedars (Cedrus) Ash (Fraxinus) Redwoods (Sequoia) \| 12-inch diameter (38-inch circumference) Any tree except fruit and Myrtaceae trees, 12 inches in diameter (38-inch circumference) or more, measured 4 feet above grade. Applies: All properties, when tied to a development application. § 21.32.090 · code text Any tree except fruit trees 5 and trees of the genus Myrtaceae 6 \| 12-inch diameter (38-inch circumference) Any heritage tree is protected. Applies: Heritage tree removal requests in all zones. § 21.32.090 · code text Any Heritage tree \| None specified Any tree that must be kept or planted is protected. Applies: Trees required as a condition of a development approval. § 21.32.090 · code text Any tree required to be retained or planted \| None required
Replacement trees	The approval may require replacement trees, an in-lieu fee, or both. Applies: When set as a condition of approval of a tree removal permit. § 21.32.080 · code text Conditions of approval may include any of the following: The tree must be replaced in kind. Applies: A dying protected tree on an approved landscape plan, or required to be planted or kept as a condition of an approval or permit. § 21.32.065 · code text the tree shall be subject to replacement in kind.

Swimming pools

Campbell code What Campbell's code adds
Equipment and alarms	Rear yard only, at least 5 feet from any property line; 6 inches if enclosed by an approved sound barrier. Applies: Applies to all related pool equipment. § 18.24.030 · code text All related pool equipment shall be located in the rear yard and shall be located no closer than five feet from any property line, except when enclosed by a sound barrier, for which drawings have been approved by the building department, in which case the setback may be six inches.
Maintenance and empty pools	The pool's circulation and purification systems must run whenever the pool is in use. § 18.24.030 · code text Such system shall be operated at all times when the pool is in use.
Setback from property lines	The pool's water line must be at least 5 feet from any property or building line. Applies: Applies to private pools. § 18.24.030 · code text No private pool shall have its water line closer than five feet from any property or building line, except pools may be no closer than thirty inches to the building if satisfactory evidence is submitted to show that no damage to the building will occur or any other hazardous or unsafe condition will be created. The water line can be as close as 30 inches to the building. Applies: Private pools, only with satisfactory evidence of no building damage or hazardous or unsafe condition. § 18.24.030 · code text No private pool shall have its water line closer than five feet from any property or building line, except pools may be no closer than thirty inches to the building if satisfactory evidence is submitted to show that no damage to the building will occur or any other hazardous or unsafe condition will be created.

Pets, chickens and bees

Campbell code What Campbell's code adds
Large animals	Horses may be kept only in an enclosure at least 40 feet from any inhabited or habitable home. Applies: Applies within the city. § 7.15.040 · code text No horse shall be kept or maintained within the City except in an enclosure the outer limits of which shall be at least forty feet from any inhabited or habitable dwelling.
Permit	Give written notice to the City Manager within 5 days after the move begins. Applies: Moving an apiary into or within the city. § 7.28.010 · code text No apiary shall be moved into the City or within the confines of the City without notice in writing being given to the City Manager within five days from the date movement is begun, stating:
Pet limit	No more than 3 adult dogs and/or cats in total, in any combination. Applies: Animals over 4 months old, at any street address. § 7.30.020 · code text No person shall keep or maintain more than a total of three adult dogs and/or cats (any combination) over four months of age, at any street address. No more than 1 unspayed female dog or 1 unspayed female cat. Applies: At any street address. § 7.30.020 · code text No person shall keep or maintain more than one unspayed female dog or one unspayed female cat, at any street address.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Campbell?

City rule: fences within 15 feet of the front property line are limited to 3½ feet; in interior side and rear yards, 6 feet.

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

Accessory structures are limited to one story or 14 feet, and to 1,000 square feet for one and 200 for each additional one.

Can I run a business from my home in Campbell?

A home business needs a home occupation permit; barber shops, animal breeding, building contractors, seamstresses and vehicle repair are not allowed in residential zones.

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Campbell?

Campbell's code: On private property. (Residential zones; not on or over a public sidewalk.) (§ 21.28.120); Not in the public right-of-way where signs prohibit it. (Residential zones.) (§ 21.28.120).

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

Campbell's code: One ready-to-use Level 1 110V 20A NEMA 1-20 outlet and one Level 2 208/240V 40A NEMA 14-40 outlet. (All new homes, ADUs, condos and townhouses; Level 1 is 2-pole 3-wire, Level 2 is 3-pole 4-wire.) (§ 18.26.050); One Level 1 110V 20A NEMA 1-20 outlet and one Level 2 208/240V 40A NEMA 14-40 outlet. (New multifamily buildings with private garages; Level 1 is 2-pole 3-wire, Level 2 is 3-pole 4-wire.) (§ 18.26.050).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Campbell?

Campbell's code: Dead or dying protected trees can be removed without a tree removal permit, after a zoning clearance by the director. (§ 21.32.065); Yes, a permit is required. (Protected trees; no removal until permit conditions are met and the decision is final; Historic Preservation Board decides heritage trees without a development application.) (§ 21.32.090).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Campbell?

Campbell's code: Rear yard only, at least 5 feet from any property line; 6 inches if enclosed by an approved sound barrier. (Applies to all related pool equipment.) (§ 18.24.030); The pool's circulation and purification systems must run whenever the pool is in use. (§ 18.24.030).

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

Campbell's code: Horses may be kept only in an enclosure at least 40 feet from any inhabited or habitable home. (Applies within the city.) (§ 7.15.040); Give written notice to the City Manager within 5 days after the move begins. (Moving an apiary into or within the city.) (§ 7.28.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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