Dixon · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Dixon

Dixon sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the setback and street side lines, and accessory height depends on the distance from the property line.

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Key points

Fence height: Dixon limits residential fences to 4 feet in front setbacks and within 10 feet of a street side line, and 7 feet elsewhere.
Accessory structures: In interior side and rear setbacks, accessory structures are limited to 10 feet at 3 feet from the line, 14 feet at 5 feet.
Home businesses: Dixon limits home businesses to 25% of the structure and 3 clients at a time, with no visits from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

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

Fences and walls

Dixon code What Dixon's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot	Fences can be at most 7 feet tall. Applies: Residential districts, outside the required front setback and more than 10 feet from any other street-facing property line. § 18.11.060 · code text In all areas of a site outside the required front setback and more than ten (10) feet of any other street-facing property line, the maximum fence height is seven (7) feet.
Front yard height	Fences can be at most 4 feet tall. Applies: Residential districts, in required front setback areas; any part over 3 feet must be at least 50% see-through. § 18.11.060 · code text Within Required Front Setback Areas. Four (4) feet, provided any portion of the fence over three (3) feet shall be a minimum of fifty percent (50%) transparent.
Side and rear yard height	Fences can be at most 4 feet tall. Applies: Residential districts, within 10 feet of any other street-facing property line; any part over 3 feet must be at least 50% see-through. § 18.11.060 · code text Within Ten (10) Feet of Any Other Street-Facing Property Line. Four (4) feet, provided any portion of the fence over three (3) feet shall be a minimum of fifty percent (50%) transparent. Fences up to 7 feet tall may be allowed. Applies: Residential street side setback, only with an approved modification; landscape outside the fence; fence cannot extend past the main building's nearest front corner. § 18.11.060 · code text Fences up to seven (7) feet in height may be allowed within the required street side setback subject to approval of a modification pursuant to Chapter 18.26 DMC, Modifications, and the following:

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Dixon code What Dixon's code adds
Maximum height	Only decorative objects up to 8 feet tall and open on all sides. Applies: Front yard or street side yard, such as gazebos and trellises. § 18.11.020 · code text Accessory structures located in the front yard or street side yard shall be limited to decorative objects up to eight (8) feet in height that are open on all sides, such as gazebos and trellises, unless specifically allowed though the approval of a modification pursuant to Chapter 18.26 DMC, Modifications. Accessory structures can be up to 10 feet tall. Applies: In required interior side and rear setback areas, at least 3 feet from the property line. § 18.11.020 · code text Accessory structures up to ten (10) feet in height may be located up to three (3) feet from the interior side or rear property lines. Accessory structures can be up to 14 feet tall. Applies: In interior side/rear setbacks, at least 5 feet from the line; cover at most 30% of rear setback or 400 sq ft, whichever is less. § 18.11.020 · code text Accessory structures up to fourteen (14) feet in height may be located up to five (5) feet from the interior side or rear property lines provided structures cover no more than thirty percent (30%) of the required rear setback area or four hundred (400) square feet, whichever is less.
Size or lot coverage	At most 30% of the required rear setback area or 400 square feet, whichever is less. Applies: Accessory structures up to 14 feet tall in required interior side and rear setback areas. § 18.11.020 · code text Accessory structures up to fourteen (14) feet in height may be located up to five (5) feet from the interior side or rear property lines provided structures cover no more than thirty percent (30%) of the required rear setback area or four hundred (400) square feet, whichever is less. At most 30% of the required rear setback area or 400 square feet, whichever is less. Applies: Covered parking reached from an alley. § 18.11.020 · code text Covered parking accessed from an alley may cover thirty percent (30%) of the area of the required rear setback area or four hundred (400) square feet, whichever is less.
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet from interior side and rear property lines. Applies: Accessory structures up to 10 feet tall in required interior side and rear setback areas. § 18.11.020 · code text Accessory structures up to ten (10) feet in height may be located up to three (3) feet from the interior side or rear property lines. At least 5 feet from interior side and rear property lines. Applies: Structures up to 14 feet tall in interior side/rear setbacks; together at most 30% of rear setback or 400 sq ft, whichever is less. § 18.11.020 · code text Accessory structures up to fourteen (14) feet in height may be located up to five (5) feet from the interior side or rear property lines provided structures cover no more than thirty percent (30%) of the required rear setback area or four hundred (400) square feet, whichever is less. No closer to the rear line than the required side setback on the neighboring key lot. Applies: Reversed corner lots; distance from the rear property line. § 18.11.020 · code text On a reversed corner lot, an accessory structure shall be located no closer to the rear property line than the required side setback on the adjoining key lot and no closer to the side property line adjoining the street than the required front setback on the adjoining key lot. No closer to the street side line than the required front setback on the neighboring key lot. Applies: Reversed corner lots; distance from the side property line next to the street. § 18.11.020 · code text On a reversed corner lot, an accessory structure shall be located no closer to the rear property line than the required side setback on the adjoining key lot and no closer to the side property line adjoining the street than the required front setback on the adjoining key lot. Can be as close as 5 feet to the rear property line. Applies: Covered car parking where an alley borders the rear property line and access is from the alley. § 18.11.020 · code text Where an alley abuts a property's rear property line, accessory structures which provide covered parking for automobiles may be located up to five (5) feet from the rear property line if access to the covered parking is from the alley.

Running a business from home

Dixon code What Dixon's code adds
Space used	No more than 25% of the building's total area, including the garage. § 18.19.120 · code text The home occupation shall not occupy an area equivalent to more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total area of the structure, including the garage.
Customer visits	No more than 3 clients or customers on site at any one time. § 18.19.120 · code text There shall be no more than three (3) clients or customers on the premises at any one time. No client or customer visits between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. § 18.19.120 · code text Clients or customers shall not visit the home occupation between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Employees	No employees or independent contractors other than residents of the home. Applies: Home businesses in general, except as allowed for cottage food operations. § 18.19.120 · code text No employees or independent contractors other than residents of the dwelling unit shall be permitted to work at the location of a home occupation except as otherwise allowed for cottage food operations. Only 1 full-time-equivalent employee, plus the operator and household members living in the home. Applies: Cottage food operations. § 18.19.120 · code text Only the cottage food operator and members of the household living in the unit, as well as one (1) full-time equivalent cottage food employee, may participate in a cottage food operation.
Permit	A separate City of Dixon business license, where applicable. § 18.19.120 · code text Where applicable, a separate City of Dixon business license is required for each home occupation.
Businesses not allowed	Adult-oriented businesses; animal services; automobile/vehicle sales and services; contractor shop; eating and drinking establishments; hotels and motels; hospitals and clinics; personal services; storage, sale, or use of explosive, guns, ammunition, or flammable or hazardous materials; any use not authorized by the Fire Chief § 18.19.120 · code text The following specific uses, either by operation or nature, are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities and shall therefore not be permitted as home occupations:

RV and boat parking

Dixon code What Dixon's code adds
Living in an RV	Not allowed: no living or sleeping in an RV. Applies: Except in a trailer park or mobile home park. § 12.09.020 · code text Except in a trailer park or other mobile home park, it shall be unlawful to use any recreational vehicle for the purpose of: Temporary sleeping for up to 72 total hours, no more than 2 times in 30 days; self-contained, no house hookups. Applies: Applies to a resident of a single- or two-family lot in a residential district, with the RV on public property. § 12.09.020 · code text Such use as temporary sleeping quarters shall not extend beyond seventy-two (72) cumulative hours nor more than two (2) occasions during any thirty (30) day period.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Dixon code What Dixon's code adds
Solar permit process	Applications may be sent by email, the city website, or fax; electronic signatures are accepted. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems. § 16.18.050 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents via email, the City's website, or facsimile shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
Review time	The permit is issued within 3 business days. Applies: Applies when the application meets the approved checklist and standard plan. § 16.18.060 · code text For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the Building Department shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit within three (3) business days. An inspection is scheduled within 2 business days of a request. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 16.18.060 · code text An inspection will be scheduled within two (2) business days of a request.

Swimming pools

Dixon code What Dixon's code adds
Setback from property lines	At least 5 feet from a property line, measured to the water's outside edge. Applies: Applies to pools, spas and water over 18 inches deep; they also may not be in a required front or side setback. § 18.11.100 · code text No swimming pool, spa, or any body of water having a depth of more than eighteen (18) inches shall be located in a required front or side setback nor less than five (5) feet from a property line, measured to the outside edge of water. At least 15 feet from a bedroom window on a neighboring lot. Applies: Applies to pool mechanical equipment and related structures. § 18.11.100 · code text Accessory mechanical equipment and related structures shall not be located within fifteen (15) feet of a bedroom window on an adjacent lot.

Pets, chickens and bees

Dixon code What Dixon's code adds
Pet limit	No more than 4 dogs; 5 or more are not allowed except at a kennel that follows city rules. § 7.02.040 · code text Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to keep, board or harbor five (5) or more dogs at any place of residence or on any commercial or industrial premises within the City limits except at a kennel operating in conformance with the laws and regulations of the City. No more than 4 cats; 5 or more are not allowed except at a cattery that follows city rules. § 7.02.040 · code text Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful for any person to keep, board or harbor five (5) or more cats at any place of residence or on any commercial or industrial premises within the City limits except at a cattery operating in conformance with the laws and regulations of the City. Puppies or kittens may be kept until 6 months old; then they count toward the limit. Applies: Applies to offspring of a legally kept female dog or cat. § 7.02.040 · code text The offspring of any female dog or female cat present at any premises within the City at which said female dog or female cat is legally kept may be kept at those premises from time of birth until such offspring reach six (6) months of age, at which time such offspring shall be subject to the numerical limitations upon the number of dogs and cats contained in this chapter.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Dixon?

Dixon limits residential fences to 4 feet in front setbacks and within 10 feet of a street side line, and 7 feet elsewhere.

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

In interior side and rear setbacks, accessory structures are limited to 10 feet at 3 feet from the line, 14 feet at 5 feet.

Can I run a business from my home in Dixon?

Dixon limits home businesses to 25% of the structure and 3 clients at a time, with no visits from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

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

Dixon's code: Not allowed: no living or sleeping in an RV. (Except in a trailer park or mobile home park.) (§ 12.09.020); Temporary sleeping for up to 72 total hours, no more than 2 times in 30 days; self-contained, no house hookups. (Applies to a resident of a single- or two-family lot in a residential district, with the RV on public property.) (§ 12.09.020).

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

Dixon's code: Applications may be sent by email, the city website, or fax; electronic signatures are accepted. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 16.18.050); The permit is issued within 3 business days. (Applies when the application meets the approved checklist and standard plan.) (§ 16.18.060).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Dixon?

Dixon's code: At least 5 feet from a property line, measured to the water's outside edge. (Applies to pools, spas and water over 18 inches deep; they also may not be in a required front or side setback.) (§ 18.11.100); At least 15 feet from a bedroom window on a neighboring lot. (Applies to pool mechanical equipment and related structures.) (§ 18.11.100).

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

Dixon's code: No more than 4 dogs; 5 or more are not allowed except at a kennel that follows city rules. (§ 7.02.040); No more than 4 cats; 5 or more are not allowed except at a cattery that follows city rules. (§ 7.02.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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