Encinitas · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Encinitas

Encinitas sets its own rules for overnight RV parking on the street, rooftop solar permits and the number of dogs per parcel. Sheds, garages and other accessory structures fall under the city's accessory use regulations.

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Key points

Resident RVs: Residents with an annual overnight permit and proof of off-site storage may park their RV by their property in 48-hour nonconsecutive periods.
Guest RVs: Guests with an overnight permit may park an RV at most 7 consecutive days; an address gets at most 3 permits per 12 months.
Dogs: Encinitas allows at most 6 dogs per parcel in residential zoning districts or residential uses in other districts.
Rooftop solar: Encinitas gives small rooftop solar administrative review with one inspection; panels must meet height limits or not exceed an already-taller building's height.
Accessory buildings: Encinitas regulates sheds, garages and other accessory structures in its accessory use regulations, Ch. 30.48.

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

RV and boat parking

Encinitas code What Encinitas's code adds
Parking on the street	Overnight parking for 48-hour nonconsecutive periods, to prepare the RV for travel or unload after a trip. Applies: A resident's RV with an annual overnight permit and proof of off-site storage, parked in front of or next to the resident's property. § 14.40.150 · code text A. The City Clerk or designee shall issue a permit on an annual basis for overnight parking of a recreational vehicle to any resident of the City for 48-hour nonconsecutive time periods to allow for preparing the vehicle for travel and for unloading upon return if the vehicle will not create a safety hazard and meets the requirements stated in subsection B of this section. No more than 7 consecutive days. Applies: A bona fide guest of a city resident with an overnight parking permit; at most 3 such permits per address in any 12 months. § 14.40.155 · code text A. The City Clerk or designee shall issue a permit for overnight parking of a recreational vehicle to any bona fide guest of a City resident for no more than seven consecutive days.
Living in an RV	No. The RV may not be used for overnight camping, lodging, sleeping or living. Applies: RVs parked on the street under an overnight parking permit. § 14.40.150 · code text The vehicle shall not be used for overnight camping, lodging, sleeping, residing in or accommodation purposes.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Encinitas code What Encinitas's code adds
Solar height and setbacks	Panels must meet height limits; on an existing building already over the limit, panels may not exceed its height. § 23.13.040 · code text Solar energy systems shall comply with all applicable height limits, except that solar panels may be added to a previously conforming structure that does not conform to the existing height limit if the proposed solar panels do not exceed the height of the existing structure, consistent with the California Solar Rights Act.
Solar permit process	Administrative, nondiscretionary review; the Building Official issues permits once the application is complete and meets the checklist; 1 inspection. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 23.13.060 · code text The Planning and Building Department shall implement an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. Apply in person, by mail, or electronically (email, fax or Internet), with the permit processing and inspection fees. Applies: Applicants for small residential rooftop solar energy system permits. § 23.13.050 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents by email, fax, or the Internet shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.

Pets, chickens and bees

Encinitas code What Encinitas's code adds
Pet limit	No more than 6 dogs per parcel, with a stated exception. Applies: Residential zones, or residential uses in any other zone. § 4.04.070 · code text In residential zoning districts, or in conjunction with any residential uses in any other zoning district, not more than six dogs per parcel shall be permitted, with the following exception:

Other Encinitas rules on this

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

Accessory use regulations (Ch. 30.48)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Encinitas regulates sheds, garages and other accessory structures in its accessory use regulations, Ch. 30.48. Encinitas also has a related rule: Accessory use regulations (Ch. 30.48).

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

Residents with an annual overnight permit and proof of off-site storage may park their RV by their property in 48-hour nonconsecutive periods. Guests with an overnight permit may park an RV at most 7 consecutive days; an address gets at most 3 permits per 12 months.

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

Encinitas gives small rooftop solar administrative review with one inspection; panels must meet height limits or not exceed an already-taller building's height.

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

Encinitas allows at most 6 dogs per parcel in residential zoning districts or residential uses in other districts.

General information, not legal advice.

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