Napa · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Napa

Napa sets its own fence heights, accessory-structure limits and home-business rules. Fence limits depend on the setback, the fence design and vision triangles at driveways and intersections.

Ask about building on your lot in Napa See coverage

Key points

Fence height: Napa limits fences to 3½ ft in front and side setbacks, 6 ft in side and rear yards, 8 ft with open lattice.
Accessory height: City rule: residential accessory structures are limited to 15 ft, or 18 ft by director exception, and 50% of the side or rear yard.
Home businesses: City rule: a home business may use 200 sq ft or 25% of the home and attached garage, whichever is larger; no non-residents employed.

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

Fences and walls

Napa code What Napa's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 2 feet; fences at least 50% open up to 3 feet. Trees need 7-1/2 feet of clearance. Applies: Fences, walls or dense hedges in the vision triangle of a driveway or intersection. § 17.52.170 · code text Fences, walls or dense planting in the form of hedges shall not exceed two feet in height when located in the vision triangle of a driveway or intersection (see Public Works Department standard specifications), however, fences that are at least 50% open shall be permitted up to three feet in height. Trees located in the vision triangle shall be maintained to provide a clearance of seven and one-half feet.
Front yard height	Up to 3 feet if at least 50% open. Applies: Anywhere in the front and side setback. § 17.52.170 · code text 3 feet if 50% open anywhere in setback Up to 3-1/2 feet. Applies: Front and side setback, except in a vision triangle, unless a side-on treatment is approved. § 17.52.170 · code text 3-1/2 feet except when located in "vision triangle" or unless a "side on" treatment is approved (See subsections C and D)
Side and rear yard height	Up to 6 feet, any design. Applies: Side and rear yards. § 17.52.170 · code text 6 feet any design; or 8 feet where the upper 2 feet is an open lattice design; or 8 feet other design with design review Up to 8 feet if the top 2 feet is open lattice. Applies: Side and rear yards. § 17.52.170 · code text 8 feet where the upper 2 feet is an open lattice design* Up to 8 feet for other designs, with design review. Applies: Side and rear yards. § 17.52.170 · code text 8 feet other design with design review* Up to 6 feet. Applies: Approved side-on or back-on treatment; 5 feet back from the side line (to the home's rear) or the rear line of a through lot. § 17.52.170 · code text 6 feet \| 5 feet from side property line to rear of the principal dwelling Up to 8 feet. Applies: Approved side-on or back-on treatment; 10 feet back from the side line (to the home's rear) or the rear line of a through lot. § 17.52.170 · code text 8 feet \| 10 feet from side property line to rear of the principal dwelling
Permit	Yes. A building permit is required. Applies: All fences over 6 feet tall. § 17.52.170 · code text All fences over six feet in height also require building permit.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Napa code What Napa's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet. Applies: Accessory structures in residential districts, not dwelling units, fences or signs. § 17.52.020 · code text No accessory structure shall exceed 15 feet in height. Up to 18 feet. Applies: Only if the Community Development Director grants an exception. § 17.52.020 · code text the Community Development Director may grant an exception for an increase in height for an accessory structure up to 18 feet Up to the height limit for the main home in the zoning district. Applies: Only with a use permit approved by the Planning Commission. § 17.52.020 · code text added height up to the limit allowed for the principal dwelling unit within the underlying zoning district may be granted with a use permit approved by the Planning Commission
Size or lot coverage	Floor area of each structure no more than 50% of the side yard area. Applies: Accessory structures placed in a side yard. § 17.52.020 · code text The floor area of each accessory structure placed in a side yard shall not exceed 50% of the area of the side yard. Floor area of each structure no more than 50% of the rear yard area. Applies: Accessory structures placed in a rear yard. § 17.52.020 · code text The floor area of each accessory structure placed in a rear yard shall not exceed 50% of the area of the rear yard.
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet from the adjacent interior side lot line. Applies: Each accessory structure. § 17.52.020 · code text Each accessory structure must be set back no less than three feet from the adjacent interior side lot line At least 3 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: Each accessory structure. § 17.52.020 · code text and no less than three feet from the rear lot line.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from the nearest wall of the main home. § 17.52.020 · code text Each accessory structure must be placed at least six feet from the nearest wall of the principal dwelling unit for structure separation, maintenance and to ensure accessible access.

Running a business from home

Napa code What Napa's code adds
Space used	No more than 200 square feet or 25% of the main home and attached garage, whichever is larger. § 17.52.240 · code text The use is confined to an area not more than 200 square feet or 25% of the principal dwelling and attached garage, whichever is larger, No more than 200 square feet in total. Applies: Detached accessory buildings. § 17.52.240 · code text and not more than 200 square feet total in any detached accessory building(s).
Customer visits	1 student at a time, up to 6 lessons a week, each no more than 1 hour. Applies: Music or dance lessons. § 17.52.240 · code text Giving music or dance lessons to no more than one student at a time up to six lessons in any one week of no more than one hour each; 2 people at most at a time, up to 6 visits or lessons weekly, each up to 1 hour. Applies: Parsonages, dressmaking, tailoring, color consulting or swimming lessons. § 17.52.240 · code text Parsonages, dressmaking, tailoring, color consulting or giving swimming lessons to no more than two persons at a time, up to six visits/lessons in any one week of no more than one hour each; No more than 4 customer trips per month. Applies: Sale or transfer of firearms. § 17.52.240 · code text Sale or transfer of firearms which involve no more than four customer trips per month. No customer or client traffic or client visits, except the listed lessons, firearm sales and similar uses. Applies: Standard home businesses; deliveries only by pickup trucks or panel delivery trucks. § 17.52.240 · code text The use does not generate customer or client traffic, deliveries by commercial vehicles other than pickup trucks or panel delivery trucks, or clients coming to the residence, except for the following:
Employees	Only resident household members; no other person may be employed. § 17.52.240 · code text The use is carried on only by the resident members of the household occupying the dwelling, with no other person employed.
Permit	No use permit. Allowed as an accessory use. Applies: Home businesses that meet all the standard rules. § 17.52.240 · code text Home occupations are permitted accessory uses to residences provided that all of the following standards are met: A use permit. Applies: Expanded home businesses that need exceptions to the standard rules. § 17.52.240 · code text Exceptions to the above standards may be granted with the approval of a use permit for an expanded type of home occupation.
Businesses not allowed	on-premises retail sales Applies: winery home occupations § 17.52.240 · code text No on-premises retail sales are permitted.

RV and boat parking

Napa code What Napa's code adds
Parking on the street	No more than 4 consecutive hours; then it must move more than 1/4 mile for at least 72 hours. Applies: Oversized vehicles (over 20 feet long or 85 inches wide or high) and all trailers, boats and RVs, on any public street. § 10.36.070 · code text No person shall stop, park, or leave standing on any public street, alley, or right-of-way in the city any vehicle defined in this section for a period longer than four consecutive hours at which point it must relocate for a period of at least 72 hours. No more than 48 consecutive hours, for loading or unloading only. Applies: An RV parked right next to the property where it is legally registered. § 10.36.070 · code text Recreational vehicles parked immediately adjacent to the property where the vehicle is legally registered through the California Department of Motor Vehicles for a total of no more than 48 hours consecutive hours for the purpose of loading or unloading only.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Napa code What Napa's code adds
EV charger permit	Expedited administrative review; the Building Official approves and issues all permits when the application meets the city checklist and requirements. Applies: EV charging stations. § 15.04.120 · code text the Building Official shall implement an expedited administrative permit review process for electric vehicle charging stations Electronic submittal is allowed. Applies: Permit applications covered by this section. § 15.04.120 · code text the Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this Section and associated supporting documentations.
Solar permit process	Permit issued for a complete application that meets the rules; 1 inspection, scheduled within 2 business days, 2-hour window. Applies: Small residential rooftop energy systems. § 15.42.060 · code text The Building Official shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit the same day for over-the-counter applications Expedited permitting, with electronic submittal available. Applies: Small residential rooftop energy systems. § 15.42.050 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
Review time	Same day for over-the-counter applications; 1 to 3 business days for electronic applications. Applies: Complete applications for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 15.42.060 · code text The Building Official shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit the same day for over-the-counter applications

Pets, chickens and bees

Napa code What Napa's code adds
Bees	Allowed as an accessory use where zoning permits; not in the front setback; hive entrance behind 6-foot screening. Applies: No side or rear setback is required. The suggested hive count follows the county beekeeping best management practices (BMPs). § 17.52.055 · code text The suggested maximum number of beehives shall be calculated in accordance with the lot/acreage provisions in the BMPs.

Other Napa rules on this

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

Permit to remove a protected native tree (§ 12.45.090) — private property

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Napa?

Napa limits fences to 3½ ft in front and side setbacks, 6 ft in side and rear yards, 8 ft with open lattice.

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

City rule: residential accessory structures are limited to 15 ft, or 18 ft by director exception, and 50% of the side or rear yard.

Can I run a business from my home in Napa?

City rule: a home business may use 200 sq ft or 25% of the home and attached garage, whichever is larger; no non-residents employed.

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

Napa's code: No more than 4 consecutive hours; then it must move more than 1/4 mile for at least 72 hours. (Oversized vehicles (over 20 feet long or 85 inches wide or high) and all trailers, boats and RVs, on any public street.) (§ 10.36.070); No more than 48 consecutive hours, for loading or unloading only. (An RV parked right next to the property where it is legally registered.) (§ 10.36.070).

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

Napa's code: Expedited administrative review; the Building Official approves and issues all permits when the application meets the city checklist and requirements. (EV charging stations.) (§ 15.04.120); Electronic submittal is allowed. (Permit applications covered by this section.) (§ 15.04.120).

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

Napa's code: Allowed as an accessory use where zoning permits; not in the front setback; hive entrance behind 6-foot screening. (No side or rear setback is required. The suggested hive count follows the county beekeeping best management practices (BMPs).) (§ 17.52.055).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Napa property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Napa

Napa Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Napa

Buying & selling in Napa

Napa overview