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Mountain House · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Mountain House

Mountain House requires a permit for home businesses. Accessory uses and structures in residential zones have their own local section.

Ask about building on your lot in Mountain House See coverage

Key points

  • Home businesses: Local rule: a home business needs a Home Occupation Permit.
  • Accessory structures: Accessory uses and structures in residential zones fall under the local section § 9-3-203.

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

Running a business from home

Mountain House code What Mountain House's code adds
Permit
  • Yes. A Home Occupation Permit is required.
    § 9-8-1608 · code text
    A holder of a Home Occupation Permit who is in violation of the provisions under which it was originally issued may renew the Home Occupation Permit without penalty, provided the home occupation business is conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Mountain House code What Mountain House's code adds
EV charger permit
  • The Department approves and issues all required permits when the complete application and checklist meet the electrical code.
    Applies: Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted.
    § 8-3-103 · code text
    In accepting such permit applications, the Department shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by the applicant.
  • No discretionary use permit is required.
    § 8-3-104 · code text
    The Department shall confirm information provided in the application and checklist is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards and shall not require any discretionary use permit.
Solar permit process
  • Written approval or denial once the application is confirmed complete and code-compliant; approval comes with all required permits.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar energy systems; the Department checks them against the California Building Standards Codes.
    § 8-2-101 · code text
    The expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems shall comply with the applicable requirements contained in Division 1, Chapter 1 of the Mountain House Municipal Code and all the following:
  • Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are allowed.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar permits, as available resources allow.
    § 8-2-101 · code text
    As allowed by available resources, the Department shall allow for electronic submittal of a permit application and associated documentation and shall allow electronic signature in lieu of a wet signature.

Tree removal

Mountain House code What Mountain House's code adds
Permit to remove
  • Yes, a tree permit is required.
    Applies: Street trees in the right-of-way next to your property; removal is at the owner's expense and done within 60 days of the permit.
    § 10-5-208 · code text
    In the event a property owner desires to remove a tree from the Right-of-Way abutting their property, the property owner or their authorized agent shall submit an application for a tree permit pursuant to Section 10-5-205.
Replacement trees
  • Replacement measures may be required as a condition of approval.
    Applies: Street tree permits.
    § 10-5-205 · code text
    Mitigation measures as proposed, or replacement measures as required.

Pets, chickens and bees

Mountain House code What Mountain House's code adds
Pet limit
  • Up to 3 dogs and 3 cats; no more than 10 household pets in total.
    Applies: Single-family homes.
    § 9-10-1002 · code text
    For single-family dwelling units, up to three (3) dogs and three (3) cats shall be allowed. Additional household pets may be allowed, provided the total combined number of household pets in one place of residence shall not exceed ten (10).
  • No more than 3 dogs, cats and other household pets combined.
    Applies: Units in multifamily buildings and mobile homes in mobile home parks.
    § 9-10-1002 · code text
    For dwelling units in multiple-family structures and for mobile-homes in mobile home parks, the total number of dogs cats and other household pets combined shall not exceed three (3).

Other Mountain House rules on this

Mountain House's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Mountain House?

Accessory uses and structures in residential zones fall under the local section § 9-3-203. Mountain House also has a related rule: Accessory uses and structures in residential zones (§ 9-3-203).

Can I run a business from my home in Mountain House?

Local rule: a home business needs a Home Occupation Permit.

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

Mountain House's code: The Department approves and issues all required permits when the complete application and checklist meet the electrical code. (Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted.) (§ 8-3-103); No discretionary use permit is required. (§ 8-3-104).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Mountain House?

Mountain House's code: Yes, a tree permit is required. (Street trees in the right-of-way next to your property; removal is at the owner's expense and done within 60 days of the permit.) (§ 10-5-208); Replacement measures may be required as a condition of approval. (Street tree permits.) (§ 10-5-205).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Mountain House?

Mountain House's code: Up to 3 dogs and 3 cats; no more than 10 household pets in total. (Single-family homes.) (§ 9-10-1002); No more than 3 dogs, cats and other household pets combined. (Units in multifamily buildings and mobile homes in mobile home parks.) (§ 9-10-1002).

General information, not legal advice.

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Mountain House Municipal Code — full text

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