Lake County · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Lake County

Lake County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. It sets fence heights by yard and lot type, limits accessory buildings, and has its own home occupation standards.

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Key points

Fence height: County code limits front yard fences to 4 feet on interior lots and 3 feet on corner lots; side and rear yards, 6 feet.
Accessory buildings: County code limits accessory buildings to 20 feet unless district rules differ; a minor use permit may allow more.
Home businesses: County code has home occupation standards (§ 27.2(j)).

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

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

Fences and walls

Lake County code What Lake County's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet tall; up to 4 feet if the part above 3 feet is see-through. Applies: Front yard of a corner lot; the see-through rule covers the part within 50 feet of the corner property line. § 42.11 · code text Fences and walls in excess of three (3) feet in height but not higher than four (4) feet may occupy any required front yard of a corner lot, provided that the portion of the fence exceeding three (3) feet that is located within: 1) fifty (50) feet of the corner property line(s) or extended corner property line(s), or 2) from the edge of a prescriptive right of way, whichever provides the most unobstructed vision, is constructed of wire mesh, chain link or other material allowing unobstructed visibility.
Front yard height	Fences, walls and hedges can be no more than 4 feet tall. Applies: In the required front yard of an interior lot. § 42.11 · code text Fences, walls, and hedges not exceeding four (4) feet in height may be placed in the required front yard (setback) of an interior lot. Fences, walls and hedges can be up to 6 feet tall with a minor use permit. Applies: In the required front yard, if the review authority makes the required findings. § 42.11 · code text Fences, walls, and hedges exceeding four (4) feet but six (6) feet or less in height may be approved in the required front yard area upon first securing a minor use permit in each case if the review authority makes the following additional findings:
Side and rear yard height	Fences, walls or hedges can be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: In the required side or rear yard of an interior or corner lot. § 42.11 · code text A maximum six (6) foot high fence, wall or hedge may be located within the required side or rear yard (setback) of an interior lot or corner lot. Fences, walls and hedges can be over 6 feet tall with a minor use permit. Applies: Required side or rear yard of an interior lot, or the interior side of a corner lot. § 42.11 · code text Fences, walls and hedges exceeding six (6) feet in height may be permitted in the required side or rear yard (setback) of an interior lot, or interior side of a corner lot, subject to the approval of a minor use permit in each case.
Permit	A minor use permit is required for fences, walls and hedges over 4 feet and up to 6 feet. Applies: In the required front yard. § 42.11 · code text Fences, walls, and hedges exceeding four (4) feet but six (6) feet or less in height may be approved in the required front yard area upon first securing a minor use permit in each case if the review authority makes the following additional findings: A minor use permit is required for fences, walls and hedges over 6 feet. Applies: Required side or rear yard of an interior lot, or the interior side of a corner lot. § 42.11 · code text Fences, walls and hedges exceeding six (6) feet in height may be permitted in the required side or rear yard (setback) of an interior lot, or interior side of a corner lot, subject to the approval of a minor use permit in each case.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Lake County code What Lake County's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 20 feet tall. Applies: Accessory buildings in any district, unless the district rules say otherwise; a minor use permit may allow more. § 42.10 · code text Accessory buildings, in any district except as noted within the various districts and Articles of this Chapter, may not exceed twenty (20) feet in height; however, upon the securing of a minor use permit, this height limit may be exceeded.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 35% of the width of the required rear yard. Applies: Accessory buildings in the required rear yard in any residential district. § 42.9 · code text Detached accessory structures and buildings in any residential district may be located within the required rear yard provided that they shall not be located less than three (3) feet from the rear lot line, and provided that accessory buildings within the required rear yard do not occupy more than thirty-five (35) percent of the width of the required rear yard.
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet from any side lot line. Applies: Accessory buildings in any residential district. § 42.9 · code text Accessory buildings shall not be located within three (3) feet of the side lot line of the lot or, in the case of a corner lot, shall not project beyond the required front yard or that required front yard existing on the adjacent lot. At least 3 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: Detached accessory structures in the required rear yard in any residential district. § 42.9 · code text Detached accessory structures and buildings in any residential district may be located within the required rear yard provided that they shall not be located less than three (3) feet from the rear lot line, and provided that accessory buildings within the required rear yard do not occupy more than thirty-five (35) percent of the width of the required rear yard.
Distance from the house	At least 3 feet from the main buildings or structures. Applies: Detached accessory structures, except as another section provides. § 42.9 · code text Detached accessory structures shall be kept at a distance no less than three (3) feet from the main building(s) or structure(s); except as provided for in Section 42.8(d).

Solar panels and EV chargers

Lake County code What Lake County's code adds
EV charger permit	Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted. § 5-9C · code text the Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this section and associated supporting documentations. The Building Official approves the application and issues all needed permits when it meets the County's adopted checklist. Applies: Applies to EV charging stations; the application must also meet all applicable laws. § 5-9C · code text Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the permit application and supporting documents meets the requirements of the County adopted checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws, the Building Official shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, approve the application and issue all necessary permits.
Solar height and setbacks	May extend up to 10 feet into the required rear yard. Applies: Applies to solar systems attached to the south side of the main building. § 42.5 · code text Solar energy systems attached to the south elevation of a principal building may encroach up to ten (10) feet into the required rear yard.

Other Lake County rules on this

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

Home occupation standards (§ 27.2(j))
Animal limits by lot size (§ 9.16) — some zoning districts only

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Lake County?

County code limits front yard fences to 4 feet on interior lots and 3 feet on corner lots; side and rear yards, 6 feet.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Lake County?

County code limits accessory buildings to 20 feet unless district rules differ; a minor use permit may allow more.

Can I run a business from my home in Lake County?

County code has home occupation standards (§ 27.2(j)). Lake County also has a related rule: Home occupation standards (§ 27.2(j)).

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

Lake County's code: Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted. (§ 5-9C); The Building Official approves the application and issues all needed permits when it meets the County's adopted checklist. (Applies to EV charging stations; the application must also meet all applicable laws.) (§ 5-9C).

General information, not legal advice.

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