El Dorado County · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in El Dorado County

El Dorado County's code applies only in unincorporated areas. It sets its own rules for home occupations and has its own section on fences, walls and retaining walls.

Ask about building on your lot in El Dorado County See coverage

Key points

Home businesses: In unincorporated El Dorado County, home occupations that meet county standards are allowed by right; others need an administrative or conditional use permit.
Fences and walls: El Dorado County has its own section on fences, walls and retaining walls.

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

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

Running a business from home

El Dorado County code What El Dorado County's code adds
Customer visits	No more than 6 students per group lesson at a time, once per day. Applies: Group lessons by appointment only, on parcels under 1 acre, if there is adequate parking. § 130.40.160 · code text Group lessons shall be limited to a maximum of six students per group lesson at any one time, once per day, on parcels less than one acre, or twice per day on parcels one acre or greater, provided adequate parking is available. No more than 6 students per group lesson at a time, twice per day. Applies: Group lessons by appointment only, on parcels of 1 acre or more, if there is adequate parking. § 130.40.160 · code text Group lessons shall be limited to a maximum of six students per group lesson at any one time, once per day, on parcels less than one acre, or twice per day on parcels one acre or greater, provided adequate parking is available.
Employees	Up to 1 employee. Applies: Lots under 1 acre, in all listed zones. § 130.40.160 · code text < 1 acres \| 1 \| 1 \| 1 \| 1 \| 1 \| 1 \| 1 \| Up to 1 employee. Applies: Lots of 1 to 5 acres in the RM and R1 zones. § 130.40.160 · code text 1—5 acres \| 1 \| 1 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| Up to 2 employees. Applies: Lots of 1 to 5 acres in the R20K, R1A/R2A, R3A, RE, Rural Lands, Agricultural and Resource zones. § 130.40.160 · code text 1—5 acres \| 1 \| 1 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| Up to 1 employee. Applies: Lots over 5 and under 10 acres in the RM and R1 zones. § 130.40.160 · code text > 5 but less than 10 acres \| 1 \| 1 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| Up to 2 employees. Applies: Lots over 5 and under 10 acres in the R20K, R1A/R2A, R3A, RE, Rural Lands, Agricultural and Resource zones. § 130.40.160 · code text > 5 but less than 10 acres \| 1 \| 1 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| Up to 1 employee. Applies: Lots over 10 acres in the RM and R1 zones. § 130.40.160 · code text > 10 acres \| 1 \| 1 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| Up to 2 employees. Applies: Lots over 10 acres in the R20K, R1A/R2A, R3A, RE, Rural Lands, Agricultural and Resource zones. § 130.40.160 · code text > 10 acres \| 1 \| 1 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \| 2 \|
Permit	Allowed by right in the zone. Applies: Home occupations, including student instruction, that meet the basic home occupation standards, in any listed zone. § 130.40.160 · code text Home Occupations (including Student Instruction) in compliance with standards in 130.40.160.C. \| P \| P \| P \| P \| P \| P \| P \| An administrative permit is required. Applies: Student instruction that goes beyond the basic standards but meets the further standards for larger instruction, in any listed zone. § 130.40.160 · code text Student Instruction exceeding standards in 130.40.160.C. but in compliance with stan- dards of 130.40.160D. \| A \| A \| A \| A \| A \| A \| A \| A conditional use permit is required. Applies: Home occupations or student instruction that do not meet either set of standards, in any listed zone. § 130.40.160 · code text Home Occupations or Student Instructions not in compliance with standards in 130.40.160.C. or D. \| CUP \| CUP \| CUP \| CUP \| CUP \| CUP \| CUP \| A business license is required. Applies: Home occupations generally. § 130.40.160 · code text A home occupation shall be allowed in compliance with the following standards and Title 5 (Business Taxes, Licenses and Regulations) in the County Code of Ordinances:

Solar panels and EV chargers

El Dorado County code What El Dorado County's code adds
EV charger permit	You can submit the permit application and documents electronically. Applies: For all applicants eligible for expedited review of electric vehicle charging stations. § 110.70.040 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents shall be made available to all applicants eligible for expedited review of electric vehicle charging stations. Administrative, ministerial review by the Building Official; the permit can issue once the application meets all EV Checklist requirements. Applies: EV charging stations; allowed as an accessory use in residential zones that have an established primary use. § 110.70.060 · code text The Building Official shall administratively review the application as a ministerial permit.

Tree removal

El Dorado County code Exempt: dead, dying or diseased trees documented as hazardous vegetation, and trees fallen or damaged by natural disasters or incidents. Exempt: fire safe activities and fuel modification outside defensible space.

All 10 El Dorado County rules on tree removal, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Swimming pools

El Dorado County code What El Dorado County's code adds
Pool barrier	The enclosure must separate the pool, spa or hot tub from surrounding properties. Applies: Pools, spas and hot tubs in unincorporated areas. § 110.16.140 · code text The enclosure shall isolate the swimming pool, spa, and/or hot tub from surrounding properties.

Other El Dorado County rules on this

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

Fences, walls and retaining walls (Sec. 130.30.070)
Raising and keeping farm animals (§ 130.40.080)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in El Dorado County?

El Dorado County has its own section on fences, walls and retaining walls. El Dorado County also has a related rule: Fences, walls and retaining walls (Sec. 130.30.070).

Can I run a business from my home in El Dorado County?

In unincorporated El Dorado County, home occupations that meet county standards are allowed by right; others need an administrative or conditional use permit.

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

El Dorado County's code: You can submit the permit application and documents electronically. (For all applicants eligible for expedited review of electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 110.70.040); Administrative, ministerial review by the Building Official; the permit can issue once the application meets all EV Checklist requirements. (EV charging stations; allowed as an accessory use in residential zones that have an established primary use.) (§ 110.70.060).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in El Dorado County?

El Dorado County's code: The enclosure must separate the pool, spa or hot tub from surrounding properties. (Pools, spas and hot tubs in unincorporated areas.) (§ 110.16.140).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific El Dorado County property

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

Ask your question

More on El Dorado County

El Dorado County Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in El Dorado County

Buying & selling in El Dorado County

El Dorado County overview