Building on your lot in Lakeport

Each rule below is marked Lakeport 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

Lakeport code What Lakeport's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet tall. § 17.04.060 · code text Accessory structure: fifteen feet.
Side and rear setback	Can be as close as 1 foot to the side or rear property line. Applies: Accessory structures smaller than 120 square feet with no utilities. § 17.04.060 · code text Accessory structures: less than one hundred twenty square feet without utilities may be within one foot of the side or rear property line.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Lakeport code What Lakeport's code adds
Solar permit process	Apply in person, by mail or electronically, with the permit fee. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.24.030 · code text An applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the city's building department in person, by mail, or by electronic submittal along with the permit fee. Administrative approval once a complete application meets the checklist; only 1 inspection; grid connection needs the utility's approval. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems. § 15.24.040 · code text Upon confirmation by the building official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.

Tree removal

Lakeport code What Lakeport's code adds
Protected trees	Existing native trees 6 inches or more in diameter, including oak, willow, cottonwood and redwood. Applies: Only on proposed development sites (building permits and land use projects). § 17.21.030 · code text Existing native trees on proposed development sites with a diameter of six inches or more including, but not limited to, oak, willow, cottonwood, and redwood shall not be cut down, removed, or otherwise destroyed except as provided herein.
Replacement trees	Replace 1:1 with a tree of at least 15-gallon size, of the same or similar species. Applies: Applies to trees removed for development that are not mature and healthy. § 17.21.050 · code text For those trees that are to be removed, the director or the commission shall require a 1:1 replacement with a minimum fifteen-gallon tree in the same or similar species as the tree to be removed. Replace 1:1 with a tree with at least a 24-inch root ball, of the same or similar species. Applies: Only when the removed trees are mature and healthy. § 17.21.050 · code text If the trees that are removed are mature and healthy, there shall be a 1:1 replacement with a minimum twenty-four-inch root ball specimen in the species that is the same or similar to the tree removed. Replacement trees must be maintained, or replaced if they die. Applies: Applies to replacement trees. § 17.21.050 · code text Trees planted as replacements shall be continually maintained or replaced if they fail to survive. Plant replacements on the site where the tree was removed, or on another site if the city allows. Applies: Applies to where replacement trees are planted. § 17.21.050 · code text Replacement trees shall be planted on the site where the preexisting tree was removed, or may be planted on a separate site at the discretion of the city.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

City code limits accessory structures to 15 feet. Accessory structures under 120 square feet without utilities may be 1 foot from a property line.

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

Lakeport's code: Apply in person, by mail or electronically, with the permit fee. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.24.030); Administrative approval once a complete application meets the checklist; only 1 inspection; grid connection needs the utility's approval. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 15.24.040).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Lakeport?

Lakeport's code: Existing native trees 6 inches or more in diameter, including oak, willow, cottonwood and redwood. (Only on proposed development sites (building permits and land use projects).) (§ 17.21.030); Replace 1:1 with a tree of at least 15-gallon size, of the same or similar species. (Applies to trees removed for development that are not mature and healthy.) (§ 17.21.050).

General information, not legal advice.