Lassen County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Lassen County
Lassen County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. It limits accessory building height in R-1 districts and sets home business size, staff and visit limits, with more allowed under a use permit.
Key points
- Accessory buildings: In R-1 districts, county code limits accessory buildings to 20 feet or the main building's height, whichever is lower, unless the review committee approves.
- Home businesses: Without a use permit, a home business is limited to 150 square feet and resident workers; at most 8 customer visits per business day.
Each rule below is marked Lassen County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Lassen County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Lassen County have their own codes and their own pages.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Maximum height |
|
|---|---|
| Side and rear setback |
|
Running a business from home
| Space used |
|
|---|---|
| Customer visits |
|
| Employees |
|
| Permit |
|
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|
Pets, chickens and bees
| Large animals |
|
|---|
Other Lassen County rules on this
Lassen County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Living in an RV while building a home (§ 18.102.017) — during construction only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Lassen County?
In R-1 districts, county code limits accessory buildings to 20 feet or the main building's height, whichever is lower, unless the review committee approves.
Can I run a business from my home in Lassen County?
Without a use permit, a home business is limited to 150 square feet and resident workers; at most 8 customer visits per business day.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Lassen County?
Lassen County's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary review; the permit can be issued once the application meets every checklist requirement. (Applies to EV charging systems in unincorporated areas of the county.) (§ 12.10.060); A written correction notice is available within 10 working days. (Only when the application is incomplete.) (§ 12.10.060).
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Lassen County?
Lassen County's code: At least 1 acre; 2 large animals on 1 acre, plus 1 more per 20,000 square feet over 1 acre. (Horses, cows, ostriches, llamas or other large animals, unless the zoning code says otherwise.) (§ 18.108.230); No more than 1 goat, hog, sheep or similar animal per 7,000 square feet. (Applies to goats, hogs, sheep and similar livestock.) (§ 18.108.230).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Lassen County property
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