Building on your lot in Live Oak, Sutter County

Each rule below is marked Live Oak, Sutter County 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

Live Oak, Sutter County code What Live Oak, Sutter County's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet. § 17.15.030 · code text The maximum height of any accessory structure is 15 feet.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 1,000 square feet of floor area for all accessory structures combined. Applies: Residential zones. § 17.15.030 · code text The combined floor area of accessory structures shall not exceed 1,000 square feet of floor area.
Side and rear setback	The zone's front, interior side and street side yards, and half the required rear yard. Applies: Residential accessory structures in residential zones. § 17.15.030 · code text Any residential accessory structure shall meet the same front, interior side and street side yards required by the applicable zone district, and one-half the required rear yard.

Running a business from home

Live Oak, Sutter County code What Live Oak, Sutter County's code adds
Space used	No more than 20% of the home or 400 square feet, whichever is greater. Applies: Home occupation in the main home or an accessory structure. § 17.15.070 · code text The home occupation conducted in the primary residence or an accessory structure shall not utilize an area of over 20% of the residence or 400 square feet, whichever is greater.
Customer visits	No more than 1 customer on the premises at a time. § 17.15.070 · code text The home occupation is limited to one customer on the premises at a time. No customers on-site. Applies: Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. § 17.15.070 · code text There shall be no customers on-site between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Employees	No on-site employees other than full-time residents of the home. § 17.15.070 · code text There shall be no on-site employees other than full-time residents of the residence.
Permit	A zoning clearance is required. Applies: General home occupations. § 17.15.070 · code text A zoning clearance must first be secured. No zoning clearance is required. Applies: Home occupations meeting all standards and using only a desk, personal computer and telephone. § 17.15.070 · code text Home occupations that meet all of the standards provided in this section, and the business activity is limited to the use of a desk, personal computer and telephone, are permitted uses and not subject to a zoning clearance. An approved use permit is required. Applies: Home occupations not meeting the operational or residency standards, if the Planning Commission finds no added neighborhood impact. § 17.15.070 · code text A home occupation that does not meet the operational or residency standards provided in this section may be allowed with an approved use permit if the Planning Commission makes a finding that there will be no additional impact on the neighborhood from traffic or other activities associated with the home occupation.
Businesses not allowed	repair of autos, trucks, motorcycles, boats, trailers or similar equipment § 17.15.070 · code text The repair of autos, trucks, motorcycles, boats, trailers or similar equipment is not permitted.

Other Live Oak, Sutter County rules on this

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

Fences, walls and intersection visibility (Ch. 17.24)
Keeping bees in residential areas (Ch. 6.18)
Pets, hens and other small animals at home (Ch. 6.04, Art. 4)
Living in a trailer on a lot (§ 8.16.020)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Live Oak, Sutter County?

City code has a chapter on fences, walls and intersection visibility (Ch. 17.24). Live Oak, Sutter County also has a related rule: Fences, walls and intersection visibility (Ch. 17.24).

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Live Oak, Sutter County?

City code limits accessory structures to 15 feet and 1,000 square feet of combined floor area on a residential lot.

Can I run a business from my home in Live Oak, Sutter County?

A home business may use at most 20% of the residence or 400 square feet, whichever is greater, with one customer at a time.

General information, not legal advice.