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Monte Sereno · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Monte Sereno

Monte Sereno sets its own fence heights, accessory-building limits by district and home-business rules. Fence limits depend on the yard and on corner lots, and accessory limits on the R-1 district.

Ask about building on your lot in Monte Sereno See coverage

Key points

  • Fence height: Monte Sereno limits fences to 3 ft in front yards and 6 ft in interior side and rear yards.
  • Accessory size: City rule: accessory buildings are limited to 600 sq ft in R-1-8, 800 in R-1-20 and 1,000 in R-1-44.
  • Home businesses: City rule: a home business run inside the home by household members only, with no sign over 1 sq ft, needs no business license.

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

Fences and walls

Monte Sereno code What Monte Sereno's code adds
Corner visibility
  • No higher than 3 feet.
    Applies: Within 10 feet of a side corner line in R-1-8, or 15 feet in R-1-20 and R-1-44; a permit may allow up to 6 feet.
    § 10.06.130 · code text
    No portion of any fence shall exceed a height of three (3) feet in any part of any front yard, within ten (10) feet of any side corner property line of a lot in the R-1-8 zoning district, or within fifteen (15) feet of any side corner property line of a lot in the R-1-20 and R-1 44 zoning district unless a site development permit has been approved in accordance with Chapter 8 of this Title
Front yard height
  • No higher than 3 feet.
    Applies: Any part of any front yard. A site development permit may allow more, but not over 6 feet.
    § 10.06.130 · code text
    No portion of any fence shall exceed a height of three (3) feet in any part of any front yard, within ten (10) feet of any side corner property line of a lot in the R-1-8 zoning district, or within fifteen (15) feet of any side corner property line of a lot in the R-1-20 and R-1 44 zoning district unless a site development permit has been approved in accordance with Chapter 8 of this Title
Side and rear yard height
  • Up to 6 feet; a solid wood fence may add up to 1 foot of lattice.
    Applies: Side interior and rear yards in every zoning district.
    § 10.06.130 · code text
    A fence height of up to six (6) feet, or a solid wooden fence not exceeding six (6) feet with up to one (1) foot of additional lattice, shall be permitted in the side interior yard and rear yard in each zoning district.
  • Up to 8 feet, with building permits and a fence design permit.
    Applies: Side interior, side corner or rear yard; only with a listed site condition, such as next to a school, church, commercial property or 10% slope.
    § 10.06.130 · code text
    A fence height up to eight (8) feet in any side interior, side corner, or rear yard shall be permitted, subject to obtaining all required permits under Title 9 of this Code and the California Building Standards Code, and the approval of fence design permit by the Site and Architectural Commission under this Section.
Permit
  • Yes. A fence design permit and all required building permits.
    Applies: Fences up to 8 feet in any side interior, side corner or rear yard.
    § 10.06.130 · code text
    A fence height up to eight (8) feet in any side interior, side corner, or rear yard shall be permitted, subject to obtaining all required permits under Title 9 of this Code and the California Building Standards Code, and the approval of fence design permit by the Site and Architectural Commission under this Section.
  • Yes. A site development permit is required for a pedestrian arbor over 7 feet.
    Applies: Pedestrian arbors added to a fence.
    § 10.06.130 · code text
    Construction of any pedestrian arbor in excess of seven (7) feet shall be subject to obtaining a site development permit in accordance with Chapter 8 of this Title, and subject to obtaining all required permits under Title 9 of this Code and the California Building Standards Code.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Monte Sereno code What Monte Sereno's code adds
Maximum height
  • Up to 21 feet.
    Applies: R-1-44 district; detached accessory building set back farther than required: 12 feet at the setback line, plus 1 foot per 2 feet farther.
    § 10.05.020 · code text
    a. Twenty-one (21) feet for any single-story structure, or single-story portion of a two (2) story building or any detached accessory building or structure.
  • No more than 12 feet.
    Applies: Accessory buildings in the R-1-8 district.
    § 10.05.040 · code text
    (3) Accessory building: Twelve (12) feet.
  • 12 feet at the setback line.
    Applies: R-1-20 district; it may rise 1 foot for each foot farther from the setback, up to 21 feet.
    § 10.05.030 · code text
    (3) Accessory building or structure: Twelve (12) feet.
  • Up to 21 feet.
    Applies: R-1-20 district; detached accessory building set back farther than required: 12 feet at the setback line, plus 1 foot per foot farther.
    § 10.05.030 · code text
    a. Twenty-one (21) feet for any single-story structure, or single-story portion of a two-story building or any detached accessory building or structure.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 1,000 square feet.
    Applies: Accessory buildings or structures in the R-1-44 district.
    § 10.05.020 · code text
    c. Accessory building or structure: One thousand (1,000) square feet.
  • No more than 800 square feet.
    Applies: Accessory buildings or structures in the R-1-20 district.
    § 10.05.030 · code text
    c. Accessory building or structure: Eight hundred (800) square feet.
  • No more than 600 square feet.
    Applies: Accessory buildings or structures in the R-1-8 district.
    § 10.05.040 · code text
    c. Accessory building or structure: Six hundred (600) square feet.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 6 feet from the interior side line.
    Applies: R-1-8 district; add 2 1/2 feet per 6,000 square feet the lot exceeds the minimum. Corner street sides use main-building setbacks.
    § 10.05.040 · code text
    c. Accessory building or structure: Six (6) feet.
  • At least 6 feet from the rear line.
    Applies: R-1-8 district; add 2 1/2 feet for each 6,000 square feet the lot exceeds the minimum lot area.
    § 10.05.040 · code text
    c. Accessory building or structure: Six (6) feet.
  • At least 10 feet from the rear line.
    Applies: R-1-44 district; add 5 feet for each 21,780 square feet the lot exceeds the minimum, up to 2 acres.
    § 10.05.020 · code text
    c. Accessory building or structure: Ten (10) feet.

Running a business from home

Monte Sereno code What Monte Sereno's code adds
Employees
  • No employees other than people who live in the household.
    Applies: Required to qualify for the home occupation business license exemption.
    § 7.01.240 · code text
    No persons other than the inhabitants of the household shall be employed.
Permit
  • No business license is required.
    Applies: Business run entirely inside the home or a permitted accessory building, only household members employed, no outdoor sign over 1 square foot.
    § 7.01.240 · code text
    The provisions of this Code shall not be construed as requiring a license hereunder for a home occupation meeting all of the following requirements:

Lot splits under SB 9

Monte Sereno code What Monte Sereno's code adds
How the lot may be divided
  • Each new parcel must have at least 40% of the original lot area.
    Applies: Urban lot split.
    § 13.06.020 · code text
    Has at least forty percent (40%) of the lot area of the original parcel,
Minimum new lot size
  • Each new parcel must be at least 1,200 square feet.
    Applies: Each newly created parcel.
    § 13.06.020 · code text
    Has at least one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet in size,
Setbacks
  • No setback required.
    Applies: An existing structure, or one rebuilt in the same place with the same dimensions.
    § 13.06.020 · code text
    No setback shall be required for an existing structure or a structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure,
  • At least 4 feet from side and rear lot lines.
    Applies: New structures on an urban lot split; waived if it would block 2 units or force units under 800 square feet.
    § 13.06.020 · code text
    and in all other circumstances a setback of four (4) feet from the side and rear lot lines shall be provided,
Standards
  • No more than 2 new parcels.
    Applies: Proposed urban lot split.
    § 13.06.020 · code text
    The proposed urban lot split will create no more than two (2) new parcels,
  • At least 10% of the original parcel's street frontage.
    Applies: Each new parcel, unless this would block 2 units or force a unit under 800 square feet.
    § 13.06.020 · code text
    Has at least ten percent (10%) of the lot frontage of the original parcel, unless the applicant can demonstrate that this would have the effect of the effect of physically precluding the construction of two (2) units on either of the resulting parcels or would necessarily result in a unit size of less than eight hundred (800) square feet,
  • Lot lines must be at right angles to streets, or radial on curved streets.
    Applies: New parcels.
    § 13.06.020 · code text
    New parcels shall maintain right angles to streets or radial to the centerline of curved streets.
  • Only parcels in a single-family residential zone may be split.
    Applies: Urban lot split.
    § 13.06.020 · code text
    The parcel to be subdivided is located within a single-family residential zone.
  • No more than 2 dwelling units.
    Applies: Any parcel created by an urban lot split.
    § 13.06.040 · code text
    no more than two (2) dwelling units shall be permitted on any parcel created under the provisions of this Chapter.
Owner occupancy
  • The owner must live in one unit as a principal residence for at least 3 years.
    Applies: Counted from the date the urban lot split is approved.
    § 13.06.020 · code text
    The owner of the parcel intends to occupy one (1) of the housing units as their principal residence for a minimum of three (3) years from the date of the approval of the urban lot split.
  • Not required.
    Applies: The owner is a community land trust or qualified nonprofit corporation.
    § 13.06.020 · code text
    Owner-occupancy is not required if the owner is a community land trust or qualified nonprofit corporation under Sections 214.15 or 402.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
Parking
  • At least 1 off-street parking space per parcel.
    Applies: Not required within a half-mile walk of a high-quality transit corridor or major transit stop, or 1 block of car share.
    § 13.06.020 · code text
    A minimum of one (1) off-street parking space shall be provided on each parcel except where the parcel meets one (1) of the following instances:

Solar panels and EV chargers

Monte Sereno code What Monte Sereno's code adds
Solar height and setbacks
  • The panel array may not exceed the maximum legal building height.
    Applies: To qualify as a small residential rooftop solar system for expedited permitting.
    § 9.01.080 · code text
    A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the Town.
Solar permit process
  • You may submit the application and documents by email or internet; electronic signatures are accepted.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar permit applicants.
    § 9.01.080 · code text
    Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents by email, or the Internet, shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
  • Administrative, nondiscretionary review; permit issued for a complete application; only one inspection, scheduled within 2 business days.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems meeting the approved checklist and standard plan.
    § 9.01.080 · code text
    or within one (1) to three (3) business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.
Review time
  • Same day over the counter; 1 to 3 business days for electronic applications.
    Applies: A complete application meeting the approved checklist and standard plan.
    § 9.01.080 · code text
    The Building Division shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, on the same day for over-the-counter applications

Tree removal

Monte Sereno code What Monte Sereno's code adds
Permit to remove
  • Yes, a permit is required.
    Applies: Removing a significant, dead or unsuitable tree.
    § 10.15.050 · code text
    The application for a permit shall be made on forms provided for the purpose by the City Clerk and shall state among other things the number and location of the significant trees, dead trees or unsuitable trees to be removed by type and the reason for removal for each.
Replacement trees
  • Replacement trees may be required as a permit condition.
    Applies: Tree removal permits approved by the Site and Architectural Commission.
    § 10.15.070 · code text
    In approving a tree removal permit, the Site and Architectural Commission may impose conditions requiring replacement of trees as may be deemed appropriate to mitigate impacts of development or provide equivalent aesthetic benefits in terms of size, height, location, appearance, and other characteristics of the removed tree.
  • 2 trees for each tree removed, each at least 10 inches around at 48 inches above grade.
    Applies: Tree removal for SB 9 two-unit or lot split projects; the removed tree is not an Unsuitable Tree.
    § 10.15.070 · code text
    the City Manager or City Planner shall approve such permit subject a requirement to replace each tree removed with two (2) trees, each of a native or drought-tolerant species, but shall not be an Unsuitable Tree as defined in Section 10.15.015, with a minimum circumference of ten (10) inches measured at a height of forty-eight (48) inches above the grade as planted.
  • 1 tree for each Unsuitable Tree removed, at least 24-inch box size.
    Applies: Tree removal for SB 9 two-unit or lot split projects; the removed tree is an Unsuitable Tree.
    § 10.15.070 · code text
    If the removed tree is an Unsuitable Tree as defined in Section 10.15.015, the City Manager or City Planner shall approve such permit subject to a requirement to replace each Unsuitable Tree removed with one (1) tree of a native or drought tolerant species but shall not be an Unsuitable Tree as defined in Section 10.15.015, with a minimum size of twenty-four (24) inch box as planted.

Swimming pools

Monte Sereno code What Monte Sereno's code adds
Pool barrier
  • No more than 2 inches between grade and the bottom of the enclosure.
    § 9.08.040 · code text
    The maximum vertical clearance from grade to the bottom of the enclosure of two (2) inches;
  • Gaps may not let a sphere 4 inches or more in diameter pass.
    § 9.08.040 · code text
    Gaps or voids, if any, do not allow passage of a sphere equal to or greater than four (4) inches in diameter;
  • The outside surface must have no handholds or footholds that let a child under 5 climb over.
    § 9.08.040 · code text
    An outside surface free of protrusions, cavities, or other physical characteristics that would serve as handholds or footholds that could enable a child below the age of five (5) years to climb over;
  • At least one safety feature: an enclosure, approved pool cover, door exit alarms, self-latching doors, or equal protection.
    Applies: Construction permit for a new or altered pool at a private home.
    § 9.08.030 · code text
    whenever a construction permit is issued for construction of a new swimming pool or alteration of an existing swimming pool at a private, single/multi-family home, it shall be equipped with at least one of the following safety features:
Barrier height
  • At least 60 inches high, measured on the side away from the pool.
    § 9.08.040 · code text
    The top of the enclosure shall be a minimum height of sixty (60) inches above grade measured on the side of the enclosure that faces away from the swimming pool;
Equipment and alarms
  • Exit alarms on doors opening directly to the pool count as one required safety feature.
    Applies: New or altered pools at private homes, which need at least one listed safety feature.
    § 9.08.030 · code text
    The residence shall be equipped with exit alarms on those doors providing direct access to the swimming pool.
  • Self-closing, self-latching pool doors with a release at least 54 inches above the floor count as one safety feature.
    Applies: New or altered pools at private homes, which need at least one listed safety feature.
    § 9.08.030 · code text
    All doors providing direct access from the home to the swimming pool shall be equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than fifty-four (54) inches above the floor.
Gates
  • Gates must open away from the pool and self-close and self-latch, with the device at least 60 inches above grade.
    § 9.08.040 · code text
    Any access gates through the enclosure shall open away from the swimming pool, be self-closing and self-latching with the device placed no lower than sixty (60) inches to grade;

Pets, chickens and bees

Monte Sereno code What Monte Sereno's code adds
Bees
  • No more than 6 apiaries or hives.
    Applies: Residential property in the R1-44 zone.
    § 6.06.040 · code text
    No more than six (6) apiaries or hives may be kept or maintained on any residential property in the R1-44 zoning district.
  • No more than 4 apiaries or hives.
    Applies: Residential property in the R1-20 zone.
    § 6.06.040 · code text
    No more than four (4) apiaries or hives may be kept or maintained on any residential property in the R1-20 zoning district.
  • No more than 2 apiaries or hives.
    Applies: Residential property in the R1-8 zone.
    § 6.06.040 · code text
    No more than two (2) apiaries or hives may be kept or maintained on any residential property in the R1-8 zoning district.
  • Rear yard only; at least 6 feet from the side property line and 10 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: Residential property.
    § 6.06.040 · code text
    Apiaries or hives shall only be located in the rear yard of any residential property and located no closer than six (6) feet from the side yard property line and no closer than ten (10) feet from the rear yard property line.
  • Hives and their products may not be used commercially.
    Applies: Apiaries and hives in the city.
    § 6.06.040 · code text
    No apiaries, hives or products from them located in the City of Monte Sereno shall be used for commercial purposes.
Pet limit
  • At most 4 dogs or cats over 4 months old.
    § 6.03.020 · code text
    No person shall keep or maintain more than four (4) dogs or cats (a maximum of four [4] animals) over four (4) months of age.
  • No more than 1 unspayed cat and 1 unspayed dog over 4 months old.
    Applies: Any premises, except one kept by a licensed veterinarian.
    § 6.03.020 · code text
    In no event shall there be more than one unspayed cat over four (4) months old and one unspayed dog over four (4) months of age on any premises.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Monte Sereno?

Monte Sereno limits fences to 3 ft in front yards and 6 ft in interior side and rear yards.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Monte Sereno?

City rule: accessory buildings are limited to 600 sq ft in R-1-8, 800 in R-1-20 and 1,000 in R-1-44.

Can I run a business from my home in Monte Sereno?

City rule: a home business run inside the home by household members only, with no sign over 1 sq ft, needs no business license.

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Monte Sereno?

Monte Sereno's code: Each new parcel must have at least 40% of the original lot area. (Urban lot split.) (§ 13.06.020); Each new parcel must be at least 1,200 square feet. (Each newly created parcel.) (§ 13.06.020).

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

Monte Sereno's code: The panel array may not exceed the maximum legal building height. (To qualify as a small residential rooftop solar system for expedited permitting.) (§ 9.01.080); You may submit the application and documents by email or internet; electronic signatures are accepted. (Small residential rooftop solar permit applicants.) (§ 9.01.080).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Monte Sereno?

Monte Sereno's code: Yes, a permit is required. (Removing a significant, dead or unsuitable tree.) (§ 10.15.050); Replacement trees may be required as a permit condition. (Tree removal permits approved by the Site and Architectural Commission.) (§ 10.15.070).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Monte Sereno?

Monte Sereno's code: No more than 2 inches between grade and the bottom of the enclosure. (§ 9.08.040); Gaps may not let a sphere 4 inches or more in diameter pass. (§ 9.08.040).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Monte Sereno?

Monte Sereno's code: No more than 6 apiaries or hives. (Residential property in the R1-44 zone.) (§ 6.06.040); No more than 4 apiaries or hives. (Residential property in the R1-20 zone.) (§ 6.06.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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