Lathrop · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Lathrop

Lathrop's city code limits accessory structure height and setbacks in residential districts and sets strict limits on home businesses. A home business needs a home occupation permit, and several business types are not allowed.

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Key points

Accessory structures: In the R-1 district, city code limits accessory structures to 15 feet; those over 8 feet need a 5-foot interior side and rear setback.
Home businesses: City code bars business visitors and customers, except educational uses with at most 2 students at once; only residents may work there.

Each rule below is marked Lathrop 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

Lathrop code What Lathrop's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet. Applies: Accessory structures in the R-1 one-family residential district. § 17.32.050 · code text > 8 feet to 15 feet
Side and rear setback	No setback (0 feet) from the interior side or rear line. Applies: Accessory structures 8 feet tall or less in the R-1 district. § 17.32.050 · code text ≤ 8 feet \| Not allowed \| 10 ft \| 0 ft \| 0 ft At least 5 feet from the interior side and rear lines. Applies: Accessory structures over 8 feet and up to 15 feet tall in the R-1 district. § 17.32.050 · code text > 8 feet to 15 feet \| Not allowed \| 10 ft \| 5 ft \| 5 ft No setback (0 feet) from the interior side or rear line. Applies: Accessory structures and landscape features 8 feet tall or less in the RM district. § 17.36.050 · code text ≤ 8 feet \| Not allowed \| 5 ft \| 0 ft \| 0 ft At least 5 feet from the interior side and rear lines. Applies: Accessory structures and landscape features over 8 feet and up to 15 feet tall in the RM district. § 17.36.050 · code text > 8 feet to 15 feet \| Not allowed \| 5 ft \| 5 ft \| 5 ft

Running a business from home

Lathrop code What Lathrop's code adds
Customer visits	Business visitors and customers are generally not allowed. Applies: Except educational uses such as tutoring, music instruction, swimming lessons and art. § 17.64.020 · code text Generally, business visitors and customers of the home occupation are prohibited from visiting the residence. No more than 2 students at one time. Applies: Educational home occupations such as tutoring, music instruction, swimming lessons and art. § 17.64.020 · code text Such uses are limited to not more than two students at one time and generate no more than four round-trip vehicle trips per day. No more than 4 round-trip vehicle trips per day. Applies: Educational home occupations such as tutoring, music instruction, swimming lessons and art. § 17.64.020 · code text Such uses are limited to not more than two students at one time and generate no more than four round-trip vehicle trips per day.
Employees	Only residents of the home may work at the home. Applies: Employees may not come to the home for work, including picking up materials, vehicles or assignments. § 17.64.020 · code text Only residents of the dwelling may be engaged in work activities at the residence. Employees may not come to the residence for work purposes, including pick-up of materials, vehicles, assignments, or similar purposes.
Permit	A home occupation permit is required. § 17.64.020 · code text A home occupation shall not be permitted until an application for a permit shall be made in the manner prescribed under Chapter 17.108.
Businesses not allowed	beauty salons, barber shops, medical offices, tattoo parlors, fortune tellers, palm readers or similar services Applies: unless otherwise permitted to operate a mobile unit authorized by the CA Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology § 17.64.020 · code text but shall not include beauty salons, barber shops, medical offices, tattoo parlors, fortune tellers, palm readers or similar services, unless otherwise permitted to operate a mobile unit authorized by the CA Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. repair services on the premises Applies: except the repair of small appliances and equipment or other small objects normally capable of being carried by one person without mechanical equipment or devices § 17.64.020 · code text A home occupation shall not involve the performance of any repair services on the premises other than the repair of small appliances and equipment or other small objects which normally are capable of being carried by one person without the aid of mechanical equipment or devices.

RV and boat parking

Lathrop code What Lathrop's code adds
Parking on the street	No longer than 48 hours. Applies: Applies to RVs parked on the street to load, unload, clean or prepare before or after use. § 10.24.110 · code text Recreational vehicles such as travel trailers, motorhomes, marine vessels, all-terrain vehicles, and similar vehicles can park on the street no longer than 48 hours for the purpose of loading, unloading, cleaning, and preparation before or after use.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Lathrop code What Lathrop's code adds
EV charger permit	Apply electronically on the city form with plans meeting the checklist; the permit is issued once all fees are paid. Applies: Applies to EV charging systems. § 15.32.040 · code text A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the city's adopted checklist, as determined by the building official, and shows no specific, adverse impacts upon public health or safety shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed for approval.
Solar permit process	Approved administratively when the complete application meets the checklist; apply in person or electronically with fees; only 1 inspection. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems. § 15.30.030 · 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.

Pets, chickens and bees

Lathrop code What Lathrop's code adds
Chickens	Up to 12 adult fowl or rabbits in total; no roosters. Applies: Only where zoning allows; rabbits need a lot of at least one-third of an acre. § 6.16.020 · code text No person shall keep or maintain in the city more than 12 mature fowl or rabbits, or combination thereof.
Large animals	Up to 2 adult livestock animals; adult male goats or sheep must be neutered. Applies: Only on lots of at least 1 acre, where zoning allows. § 6.16.020 · code text No person shall keep or maintain more than two adult livestock animals. However, no adult male goat or sheep shall be kept or maintained unless neutered.
Permit	Animal control permit; at most 2 hives, at least 200 feet from other homes and 50 feet from property lines. Applies: Only on lots of at least 1 acre. § 6.16.110 · code text Every person who wishes to keep, possess or maintain bees or beehives within the city will first obtain a permit from the animal control department.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

In the R-1 district, city code limits accessory structures to 15 feet; those over 8 feet need a 5-foot interior side and rear setback.

Can I run a business from my home in Lathrop?

City code bars business visitors and customers, except educational uses with at most 2 students at once; only residents may work there.

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

Lathrop's code: No longer than 48 hours. (Applies to RVs parked on the street to load, unload, clean or prepare before or after use.) (§ 10.24.110).

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

Lathrop's code: Apply electronically on the city form with plans meeting the checklist; the permit is issued once all fees are paid. (Applies to EV charging systems.) (§ 15.32.040); Approved administratively when the complete application meets the checklist; apply in person or electronically with fees; only 1 inspection. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 15.30.030).

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

Lathrop's code: Up to 12 adult fowl or rabbits in total; no roosters. (Only where zoning allows; rabbits need a lot of at least one-third of an acre.) (§ 6.16.020); Up to 2 adult livestock animals; adult male goats or sheep must be neutered. (Only on lots of at least 1 acre, where zoning allows.) (§ 6.16.020).

General information, not legal advice.

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