Elk Grove · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Elk Grove

Elk Grove sets its own rules for accessory structures and home businesses, and has its own chapter on fences and walls. Accessory limits depend on the zone and the structure type.

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Key points

Accessory structures: Elk Grove limits accessory structures on agricultural or agricultural residential property to 40 feet.
Home businesses: Elk Grove requires a business license for most home businesses and allows only a home office for out-call massage businesses.
Fences and walls: Elk Grove has its own chapter on fences and walls.

Each rule below is marked Elk Grove 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

Elk Grove code What Elk Grove's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 40 feet high. Applies: All accessory structures on agricultural or agricultural residential property. § 23.46.040 · code text The maximum height for all accessory structures on agricultural or agricultural residential property is forty (40' 0") feet. The same maximum height as the main building in that zone. Applies: When the accessory structure is within the main building's allowed building envelope. § 23.46.040 · code text When the accessory structure is located within the allowed building envelope of the primary structure, the maximum height for the accessory structure shall be the same as the primary structure for the underlying zoning district.
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet. Applies: Landscape features; from interior property lines, including the rear line. § 23.46.040 · code text Landscape features \| No minimum \| 12.5 ft. \| 3 ft. \| 16 ft. 2 No minimum setback. Applies: Pools and spas; from interior property lines, including the rear line. § 23.46.040 · code text Pool/spa \| Same as for primary structure \| 12.5 ft. 3 \| No minimum \| 16 ft. 2 No minimum setback. Applies: Decks and patios; from interior property lines, including the rear line. § 23.46.040 · code text Deck/patio \| No minimum \| No minimum \| No minimum \| No minimum At least 3 feet. Applies: Play equipment; from interior property lines, including the rear line. § 23.46.040 · code text Play equipment \| Same as for primary structure \| 12.5 ft. \| 3 ft. \| 16 ft. 2 At least the height of the structure. Applies: Enclosed, solid-roofed accessory structures in agricultural or agricultural residential districts; from all interior property lines. § 23.46.040 · code text Enclosed and solid-roofed accessory structures shall be set back from all interior property lines not less than the height of the structure.

Running a business from home

Elk Grove code What Elk Grove's code adds
Customer visits	No more than 8 visitors a day. Applies: Part-time shoe repair; counts visitors who drop off or pick up items. § 23.82.050 · code text Shoe repair, on a part-time basis, providing that no more than eight (8) visitors a day either drop off or pick up such items.
Employees	Up to 1 full-time employee. Applies: Cottage food operations; family or household members do not count. § 23.82.050 · code text Cottage food operations, consistent with the requirements of the California Health and Safety Code and limited to one (1) full time employee, not including a family member or household member of the cottage food operation.
Permit	A business license is required. Applies: Unless the business is specifically exempt elsewhere in the city's business license rules. § 4.02.080 · code text Unless specifically exempt elsewhere in this chapter, a business license shall be required for any business or activity operated or conducted as a home occupation, as home occupation is defined by EGMC Chapter 23.82.
Businesses not allowed	massage services at the residence (only a home office for out-call massage is allowed) Applies: Home office use associated with a massage business exclusively providing out-call massage services § 23.82.050 · code text No massage services or clients associated with the massage business are permitted at the residence.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Elk Grove code What Elk Grove's code adds
EV charger permit	Approved, all permits issued, when the application meets the city checklist and all applicable laws and health and safety standards. Applies: EV charging station applications that do not need a minor conditional use permit or a parking reduction permit; the Building Official decides. § 16.07.300 · code text If the Building Official determines that the permit application is incomplete, he or she shall, within thirty (30) days of receipt of an application or resubmitted application or application materials, issue a written correction notice to the applicant, detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.
Solar permit process	Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a permit issues when a complete application meets the checklist and standard plan; only 1 inspection. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review. § 16.05.060 · code text The Building Department shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one (1) to three (3) business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.
Review time	Same day for over-the-counter applications, or within 1 to 3 business days for electronic applications. Applies: A complete application for a small residential rooftop solar system that meets the approved checklist and standard plan. § 16.05.060 · code text The Building Department shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one (1) to three (3) business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Tree removal

Elk Grove code What Elk Grove's code adds
Exemptions	Exempt: trees of local importance. Applies: Only when not part of, or tied to, a discretionary development project. § 19.12.080 · code text Trees of local importance when not part of or associated with a discretionary development project; Removal allowed with permission of the City Arborist in normal working hours, or Public Works at other times. Applies: An emergency where a hazardous tree needs immediate action to protect human life, buildings or structures. § 19.12.080 · code text In case of emergency caused by the tree being in a hazardous or dangerous condition requiring immediate action for the safety of human life or buildings or structures, such tree may be removed by permission of the City Arborist during normal working hours or by the Public Works Department at all other times.
Permit to remove	Yes; apply to Community Development, and the Director decides after a City Arborist recommendation. Applies: Tree work that needs a tree permit under this chapter, on private land not part of a discretionary development project. § 19.12.090 · code text When a tree permit is required by this chapter, the person or property owner desiring to complete the work shall make an application for a tree permit to the Community Development Department on a form provided by the City. No separate tree permit; tree details go with the project application, and no removal until approval and city field check. Applies: Tree removal as part of a development project. § 19.12.090 · code text When a development project proposes the removal of trees, no separate application for a tree permit shall be required as part of the application for the development project.
Replacement trees	A new tree in at least a 15-gallon container. Applies: Alternative mitigation for a tree that is untreatably diseased, damaging structures, or hazardous; not needed if the City Arborist finds no space. § 19.12.180 · code text In granting an alternative to the mitigation requirement, the designated approving authority shall require that the applicant mitigate for the loss of the tree by requiring that a new tree (minimum fifteen (15) gallon container) be planted in place of the removed tree unless the City Arborist determines that there is no feasible space remaining on the project property for a new tree.

Swimming pools

Elk Grove code What Elk Grove's code adds
Maintenance and empty pools	No pool, pond or other water may be abandoned, unattended, unfiltered or unmaintained so it becomes polluted or breeds mosquitoes. Applies: Swimming pools, ponds or other bodies of water on any property in the city. § 16.18.1128 · code text It is unlawful and it shall be a public nuisance for any person owning, leasing, occupying or having charge or possession of any premises or property in the City to maintain upon any such premises or property any swimming pool, pond, or other body of water which is abandoned, unattended, unfiltered, or not otherwise maintained resulting in the water becoming polluted and/or providing for mosquito breeding.

Pets, chickens and bees

Elk Grove code What Elk Grove's code adds
Bees	Yes, if the keeper follows the Zoning Code and state beekeeping law, with adequate water on site before hives arrive. § 16.18.1136 · code text It shall be unlawful and constitute a public nuisance for any person who keeps beehives on his, her, or its property not to comply with the following regulations:
Pet limit	No more than 4 dogs, cats, pot-bellied pigs and pygmy goats in total. Applies: Animals over 4 months old, on any lot or in any home, unless the code allows more. § 8.02.050 · code text Except as otherwise allowed by this code, it is unlawful for any person to keep or harbor more than four (4) dogs, four (4) cats, four (4) pot-bellied pigs, four (4) pygmy goats, or any combination thereof exceeding a total of four (4), which are over the age of four (4) months on or in any lot, premises, dwelling, building, structure, boat, or living accommodation.

Other Elk Grove rules on this

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

Fences and walls (Ch. 23.52)
Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 22.16.110)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Elk Grove?

Elk Grove has its own chapter on fences and walls. Elk Grove also has a related rule: Fences and walls (Ch. 23.52).

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Elk Grove?

Elk Grove limits accessory structures on agricultural or agricultural residential property to 40 feet.

Can I run a business from my home in Elk Grove?

Elk Grove requires a business license for most home businesses and allows only a home office for out-call massage businesses.

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

Elk Grove's code: Approved, all permits issued, when the application meets the city checklist and all applicable laws and health and safety standards. (EV charging station applications that do not need a minor conditional use permit or a parking reduction permit; the Building Official decides.) (§ 16.07.300); Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a permit issues when a complete application meets the checklist and standard plan; only 1 inspection. (Small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 16.05.060).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Elk Grove?

Elk Grove's code: Exempt: trees of local importance. (Only when not part of, or tied to, a discretionary development project.) (§ 19.12.080); Removal allowed with permission of the City Arborist in normal working hours, or Public Works at other times. (An emergency where a hazardous tree needs immediate action to protect human life, buildings or structures.) (§ 19.12.080).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Elk Grove?

Elk Grove's code: No pool, pond or other water may be abandoned, unattended, unfiltered or unmaintained so it becomes polluted or breeds mosquitoes. (Swimming pools, ponds or other bodies of water on any property in the city.) (§ 16.18.1128).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Elk Grove?

Elk Grove's code: Yes, if the keeper follows the Zoning Code and state beekeeping law, with adequate water on site before hives arrive. (§ 16.18.1136); No more than 4 dogs, cats, pot-bellied pigs and pygmy goats in total. (Animals over 4 months old, on any lot or in any home, unless the code allows more.) (§ 8.02.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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