Cloverdale · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Cloverdale

Cloverdale sets fence heights by yard, limits the height and yard coverage of accessory structures in residential zones, and limits home businesses. A home business needs a permit and a city business license.

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Key points

Fence height: City rule: fences are limited to 3 feet in a required front yard and 7 feet in interior side, rear and street side yards.
Accessory structures: In residential zones, accessory structures are limited to 14 feet and may be no higher than the main structure.
Home businesses: A home business is limited to 25% of floor area or 400 square feet, whichever is greater, and 2 nonresident employees.

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

Fences and walls

Cloverdale code What Cloverdale's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet. Applies: Vision triangle in any required front yard, measured 20 feet along the front and street side lines from the corner. § 18.09.030 · code text The boundaries of this area are formed by measuring from the intersection of the street corner property lines to points 20 feet along the front and street side property lines. No more than 3 feet. Applies: Fences that block vision, in a corner lot's sight triangle measured 30 feet from where the front and side lines meet. § 12.08.350 · code text Within the sight triangle (established by a diagonal line joined with points on front and side property lines of a corner lot measured thirty feet from the point of intersection of such property lines) a fence shall not exceed three feet in height unless it is constructed of materials which will not obstruct vision (e.g., chain link), in such case it should not exceed four feet in height. Up to 4 feet. Applies: Fences of see-through materials such as chain link, in a corner lot's sight triangle measured 30 feet from the corner. § 12.08.350 · code text Within the sight triangle (established by a diagonal line joined with points on front and side property lines of a corner lot measured thirty feet from the point of intersection of such property lines) a fence shall not exceed three feet in height unless it is constructed of materials which will not obstruct vision (e.g., chain link), in such case it should not exceed four feet in height.
Height anywhere on the lot	No more than 4 feet. Applies: Fences built directly next to city right-of-way. § 12.08.350 · code text Fences constructed directly adjacent to city right-of-way shall not exceed four feet in height.
Front yard height	No more than 3 feet. Applies: Walls, hedges or fences within the front yard setback of any required front yard. § 18.09.030 · code text In any required front yard, a wall, hedge, or fence shall not exceed three feet in height within the front yard setback or within the area called the “vision triangle” or “traffic safety visibility area.”
Side and rear yard height	Walls, hedges or fences up to 7 feet. Applies: Interior side, rear or street side yards, if the wall, hedge or fence does not extend into the required front yard. § 18.09.030 · code text A wall, hedge, or fence not more than seven feet in height may be maintained along any interior side yard, rear yard or street side yard; provided, that such wall, hedge, or fence does not extend into the required front yard.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Cloverdale code What Cloverdale's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 14 feet, and no higher than the main structure. Applies: Accessory structures in residential zones. § 18.09.070 · code text Accessory structures shall not exceed fourteen feet in height and shall be no higher than the main structure.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 500 square feet or 10% of the required side and rear yards, whichever is greater. Applies: Total area covered by accessory structures in required interior side and rear yards in residential zones. § 18.09.070 · code text Accessory structures may be located in required interior side and rear yards; provided, that in the aggregate, no more than five hundred square feet or ten percent of the combined area of the required side and rear yards, whichever is greater, shall be covered by such structures;
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from the interior side and rear lines. Applies: Accessory structures that need a building permit. § 18.09.070 · code text Accessory structures requiring a building permit shall be a minimum of ten feet from any dwelling and set back a minimum of five feet from the interior side yard and rear yard property line.
Distance from the house	At least 10 feet from any home. Applies: Accessory structures that need a building permit. § 18.09.070 · code text Accessory structures requiring a building permit shall be a minimum of ten feet from any dwelling and set back a minimum of five feet from the interior side yard and rear yard property line.

Running a business from home

Cloverdale code What Cloverdale's code adds
Space used	No more than 25% of the home's floor area or 400 square feet, whichever is greater. § 18.09.120 · code text No more than twenty-five percent of the total floor area of any dwelling unit, nor more than four hundred square feet of floor area, whichever is greater, shall be used to conduct home occupation(s).
Employees	No more than 2 nonresident employees or independent contractors. § 18.09.120 · code text No more than two nonresident employees or independent contractors shall be permitted to work at the home occupation location, regardless of the number of home occupations permitted at any one residence.
Permit	A home occupation permit, a current city business license and all other needed licenses and permits. § 18.09.120 · code text A home occupation permit shall be obtained for each business to be conducted on the premises, and valid only for the person to whom it is issued. A home occupation permit is required. Applies: Massage therapists who give massages at their home. § 5.24.070 · code text Any massage therapist conducting, performing, engaging in or giving massages at their residence is deemed a home occupation massage therapist and must obtain a home occupation permit pursuant to Section 18.03.190 and comply with the standards set forth in Section 18.09.120.
Businesses not allowed	automotive and other vehicle repair (body or mechanical), painting, or storage; barber and beauty shop; carpentry and cabinet making; welding and machine operation; medical offices, clinics and laboratories; animal hospitals and grooming facilities; contractor's storage yards; adult entertainment; exercise studios; junk yards; other uses the planning commission determines to be similar in characteristics or impacts upon the residential neighborhood to those listed above § 18.09.120 · code text The following uses, either by operation or nature, are considered not to be incidental to or compatible with residential activities and therefore are not permitted: music instruction having more than one student at any one time § 18.09.120 · code text Music instruction having more than one student at any one time. dancing and educational instruction having more than five students at any one time and more than three classes per day § 18.09.120 · code text Dancing and educational instruction having more than five students at any one time and more than three classes per day.

RV and boat parking

Cloverdale code What Cloverdale's code adds
Where it may be parked	In a front yard off-street parking area, or in the backyard but not within the rear setback. Applies: Applies to residential properties. § 18.11.060 · code text Recreational vehicles may be parked at residential properties but are subject to the following: At most 1 RV per lot, wherever it is parked. Applies: Applies in the R1 and R2 zones. § 18.11.060 · code text A maximum of one recreational vehicle per residential lot is allowed in the front yard. Within the R1 and R2 zoning districts, a maximum of one recreational vehicle per residential lot is allowed, regardless of where the recreational vehicle is located.
Front-yard parking	Allowed on a hardscape surface, not grass or dirt, parked perpendicular to the home front; at most 1 RV. Applies: Applies to front yards of residential properties. § 18.11.060 · code text Within the front yard (as defined by Table 18.04.050-A), off-street parking areas for recreational vehicles shall be developed with an improved hardscape surface such as concrete, gravel, pavers, etc.
Screening and surface	A hardscape surface such as concrete, gravel or pavers; RVs may not park on grass or dirt. Applies: Applies to RV parking areas in the front yard. § 18.11.060 · code text Within the front yard (as defined by Table 18.04.050-A), off-street parking areas for recreational vehicles shall be developed with an improved hardscape surface such as concrete, gravel, pavers, etc. Recreational vehicles shall not be parked on grass or dirt.
Living in an RV	Not allowed. An RV may not be regularly lived in or used for habitation. § 18.11.060 · code text Recreational vehicles shall not be regularly occupied or used for habitation.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Cloverdale code What Cloverdale's code adds
EV charger permit	Permits issue when the application meets the checklist; electronic submittal allowed; no power on until county or utility approval. Applies: Applies to EV charging stations. § 15.39.040 · code text A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the city's adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed.
Solar permit process	Administrative review; permit issued when complete application meets checklist and standard plan; 1 inspection, scheduled within 1 business day. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.38.060 · code text The department shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit the same day for over-the-counter applications
Review time	Same day for over-the-counter applications, or 1 to 3 business days for a complete electronic application. Applies: Small rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review whose application meets the approved checklist and standard plan. § 15.38.060 · code text or for electronic applications, within one to three business days of receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Tree removal

Cloverdale code Yes, removing a protected tree needs a tree removal permit. Black oak (Quercus kelloggii), 24 inches DBH (diameter at breast height) or greater.

All 23 Cloverdale rules on tree removal, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Pets, chickens and bees

Cloverdale code What Cloverdale's code adds
Permit	Animal control may permit any number of animals for up to 60 days; not renewable within 1 year. Applies: Applies to any property in any zone. § 6.04.190 · code text The provisions of Sections 6.04.150 through 6.04.210 notwithstanding, the animal control officer of the city may issue a permit for any property in any zone for any number of animals for a period of time not to exceed sixty days.

Other Cloverdale rules on this

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

Swimming pool setbacks and permit (§ 18.09.250)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Cloverdale?

City rule: fences are limited to 3 feet in a required front yard and 7 feet in interior side, rear and street side yards.

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

In residential zones, accessory structures are limited to 14 feet and may be no higher than the main structure.

Can I run a business from my home in Cloverdale?

A home business is limited to 25% of floor area or 400 square feet, whichever is greater, and 2 nonresident employees.

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

Cloverdale's code: In a front yard off-street parking area, or in the backyard but not within the rear setback. (Applies to residential properties.) (§ 18.11.060); Allowed on a hardscape surface, not grass or dirt, parked perpendicular to the home front; at most 1 RV. (Applies to front yards of residential properties.) (§ 18.11.060).

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

Cloverdale's code: Permits issue when the application meets the checklist; electronic submittal allowed; no power on until county or utility approval. (Applies to EV charging stations.) (§ 15.39.040); Administrative review; permit issued when complete application meets checklist and standard plan; 1 inspection, scheduled within 1 business day. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.38.060).

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

Cloverdale's code: Animal control may permit any number of animals for up to 60 days; not renewable within 1 year. (Applies to any property in any zone.) (§ 6.04.190).

General information, not legal advice.

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