Nevada City · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Nevada City

Nevada City sets its own fence heights, accessory-building limits and home-business rules. Home-business limits differ for standard and administrative home occupations.

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Key points

Fence height: City rule: fences are limited to 6 ft, and to 3 ft 6 inches on corner lots where a front yard is required.
Accessory buildings: City rule: detached accessory buildings that do not meet main-building setbacks are limited to 160 sq ft and 30% of the rear yard.
Home businesses: City rule: residential home businesses may have 2 people engaged and 6 vehicle trips (3 visits) a day.

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

Fences and walls

Nevada City code What Nevada City's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet 6 inches. Applies: Walls, fences or other structures on a corner lot that needs a front yard; plants must not block the traffic view. § 17.80.150 · code text On any corner lot in which a front yard is required by this title, no wall, fence, or other structure over three feet, six inches in height shall be erected and no vegetation shall be maintained in such location as to cause danger to traffic by obstructing the view.
Height anywhere on the lot	No more than 6 feet. Applies: All fences; fences over 3 feet 6 inches must meet the home setbacks on sides next to streets. § 17.80.150 · code text No fence shall be constructed over six feet in height.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Nevada City code What Nevada City's code adds
Size or lot coverage	No more than 160 square feet. Applies: Detached accessory building in a residential zone that does not meet the main building setbacks. § 17.80.010 · code text Less than or equal to one hundred sixty square feet in area; No more than 30% of the required rear yard area. Applies: Detached accessory building in a residential zone that does not meet the main building setbacks. § 17.80.010 · code text Shall not exceed thirty percent of the area of the required rear yard.
Side and rear setback	Never less than 5 feet from any property line. Applies: Detached accessory building in a residential zone that does not meet the main building setbacks. § 17.80.010 · code text In no case shall such accessory building be less than five feet from any property line;
Distance from the house	At least 10 feet from any home, existing or being built, on the same or an adjacent lot. Applies: Detached accessory building in a residential zone that does not meet the main building setbacks. § 17.80.010 · code text Located at least ten (10) feet from any dwelling existing or under construction on the same lot or any adjacent lot.

Running a business from home

Nevada City code What Nevada City's code adds
Customer visits	No more than 6 vehicle trips per day (3 visits). Applies: Residential zones, unless the applicant shows more traffic will not substantially affect the neighborhood. § 17.72.050 · code text Traffic related to the operation of the business shall be limited to six vehicle trips per day (three visits), unless the applicant can demonstrate that additional traffic will not have any substantial effect on the neighborhood and surroundings; No more than 2 vehicle trips per day (1 visit). Applies: Administrative home businesses. § 17.72.060 · code text Any business-related trips to and from the home shall not exceed two vehicle trips per day (one visit);
Employees	Residents of the home only, and no more than 2 people working in it. Applies: Home businesses in residential zones. § 17.72.050 · code text Such use must be confined to the residents of the dwelling and shall not exceed two (2) persons engaged therein; Only 1 resident of the home. Applies: Administrative home businesses. § 17.72.060 · code text Such use will be confined to one resident of the dwelling;
Permit	A conditional use permit; the business must not change the neighborhood's residential character. Applies: Offices, personal service businesses or light craft work in residential zones. § 17.72.050 · code text A conditional use permit shall be required, with the additional finding required that the proposed home occupation will not interfere or alter the residential nature of the existing neighborhood; Administrative approval through a business license, after a signed statement that the conditions will be met. Applies: Home businesses that meet the administrative home occupation criteria. § 17.72.060 · code text In the case of a home business that meets the criteria below, the city may issue administrative approval in the form of a business license, after receipt of a signed statement from the applicant certifying that the following conditions will be met:
Businesses not allowed	shop or manufacturing use Applies: Administrative home occupations § 17.72.060 · code text The use will not involve a shop or manufacturing use, and will not involve the use of any special equipment that is noticeable at the property lines.

Lot splits under SB 9

Nevada City code What Nevada City's code adds
How the lot may be divided	At most 2 new lots of about equal area; 1 lot may not be under 40% of the original area. Applies: Urban lot split in a single-family residential zone. § 16.05.030 · code text The parcel map divides an existing parcel to create no more than two new parcels of approximately equal lot area, provided that one parcel shall not be smaller than 40 percent of the lot area of the original parcel.
Minimum new lot size	At least 1,200 square feet. Applies: Both new lots. § 16.05.030 · code text Both newly created parcels are no smaller than 1,200 square feet.
Setbacks	4 feet. Applies: Side and rear lot lines, except for an existing structure or one rebuilt in the same place at the same size. § 16.05.030 · code text Except for those circumstances described in subsection B.2., above, the setback for side and rear lot lines shall be four feet.
Standards	Each lot needs at least 12 feet of street frontage for vehicle access, or an equal recorded access easement. Applies: Urban lot split. § 16.05.030 · code text All lots shall have a minimum street frontage of twelve feet to provide for vehicular access, or an equivalent access provided by a duly recorded access easement. No building within 100 feet on both sides of a year-round waterway, shown as a non-disturbance area on the map. Applies: Urban lot split. § 16.05.030 · code text 100-feet along both sides of a waterway with perennial flow as depicted on a USGS 7-minute quadrangle map. No building within 25 feet on both sides of an intermittent waterway, shown as a non-disturbance area on the map. Applies: Urban lot split. § 16.05.030 · code text 25-feet along both sides of a waterway with intermittent flow as depicted on a USGS 7-minute quadrangle map. No building on slopes over 30%, shown as a non-disturbance area on the parcel map. Applies: Urban lot split. § 16.05.030 · code text Slopes in excess of 30% as depicted on a topographic map showing 2-foot contours.
Parking	No more than 1 off-street parking space per unit may be required. Applies: Urban lot split. None required within 1/2 mile walk of a high-quality transit corridor or major transit stop, or 1 block of car share. § 16.05.030 · code text Off-street parking shall be limited to one space per unit, except that no parking requirements shall be imposed in either of the following circumstances:

Solar panels and EV chargers

Nevada City code What Nevada City's code adds
EV charger permit	Expedited administrative approval, with all required permits or authorizations issued. Applies: A complete application that meets the checklist and the EV charging station permit chapter. § 12.25.060 · code text Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the application is complete and meets the requirements of the checklist and is consistent with this chapter, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. Electronic submittal is available. Applies: All EV charging station permit applications. § 12.25.050 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and supporting documents shall be made available for all electric vehicle charging station permit applications.
Solar permit process	Apply over the counter or electronically; administrative, non-discretionary review; 1 inspection unless the Building Official finds more necessary. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.06.030 · code text For permit applications submitted over-the-counter and electronically, the Building Department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit within five (5) business days of receipt.
Review time	Permit issued within 5 business days of receiving a complete application. Applies: Complete applications, over the counter or electronic, that meet the approved checklist and standard plan. § 15.06.030 · code text For permit applications submitted over-the-counter and electronically, the Building Department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit within five (5) business days of receipt.

Tree removal

Nevada City code What Nevada City's code adds
Exemptions	City staff may approve removal to protect public health, safety or welfare. Applies: Trees 10 inches dbh or more; applies even if over 20% of such trees on the property were removed in the past 5 years. § 17.80.090 · code text Even if there has been the removal of more than twenty (20) percent of the total trees ten (10) inches or more (dbh) on the property within the past five (5) years, a tree that is ten (10) inches (dbh) or greater may be removed to protect the public's health, safety, or welfare, and such removal may be approved by the city staff.
Permit to remove	Yes, a permit is required. Applies: Any tree 10 inches or more in diameter (dbh); staff permit if 5-year removals stay under 20% of such trees, else planning commission review. § 17.80.090 · code text The cutting or removal of any tree ten (10) inches or more in diameter (dbh) within the city is prohibited except after receiving a permit. Yes; only after a building permit and fees, with planning commission approval as part of site plan approval. Applies: Tree removal tied to a construction project. § 18.01.060 · code text The removal of a tree(s) associated with a construction project is permitted only after obtaining a building permit and paying all applicable fees associated with development and must be approved by the planning commission as a part of the site plan approval.
Protected trees	Any tree with a trunk 14 inches or more in diameter, measured 54 inches above existing grade. Applies: Additionally protected trees on public or private property. § 18.01.036 · code text Any tree which has a trunk fourteen (14) inches in diameter or more, meat fifty-four (54) inches dbh above existing grade; Trees 10 inches or more in diameter (dbh). Applies: Trees in the city. § 17.80.090 · code text The cutting or removal of any tree ten (10) inches or more in diameter (dbh) within the city is prohibited except after receiving a permit. Trees or groves with historical significance, such as Felix Gillet trees, commemorative trees and trees marking a historical event. Applies: Additionally protected trees on public or private property. § 18.01.036 · code text Any tree, grove of trees which have historical significance, including but not limited to those which were/are: Trees or groves with horticultural significance, such as old, distinctive, rare, habitat-providing or city-council-identified trees. Applies: Additionally protected trees on public or private property. § 18.01.036 · code text Any tree or grove of trees which have horticultural significance, including but not limited to those which are:

Swimming pools

Nevada City code What Nevada City's code adds
Pool barrier	The pool or the whole property must be walled or fenced to keep children from the street or neighbors out. § 17.80.160 · code text Any swimming pool or the entire property on which it is located, shall be so walled or fenced as to prevent uncontrolled access by children from the street or adjacent properties
Barrier height	At least 6 feet high. Applies: The fence or wall on the side facing a property line, when the pool is less than 30 feet from that line. § 17.80.160 · code text where located less than thirty feet from any property line shall be screened by a fence or wall not less than six feet in height on the side having such property line
Gates	Self-closing and latching gate, with the latch at least 4 feet above the ground. § 17.80.160 · code text the fence surrounding these pools shall be equipped with a self-closing and latching gate. The latch is to be at least four feet above ground level.

Other Nevada City rules on this

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

Keeping backyard chickens (§ 17.24.080)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Nevada City?

City rule: fences are limited to 6 ft, and to 3 ft 6 inches on corner lots where a front yard is required.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Nevada City?

City rule: detached accessory buildings that do not meet main-building setbacks are limited to 160 sq ft and 30% of the rear yard.

Can I run a business from my home in Nevada City?

City rule: residential home businesses may have 2 people engaged and 6 vehicle trips (3 visits) a day.

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Nevada City?

Nevada City's code: At most 2 new lots of about equal area; 1 lot may not be under 40% of the original area. (Urban lot split in a single-family residential zone.) (§ 16.05.030); At least 1,200 square feet. (Both new lots.) (§ 16.05.030).

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

Nevada City's code: Expedited administrative approval, with all required permits or authorizations issued. (A complete application that meets the checklist and the EV charging station permit chapter.) (§ 12.25.060); Electronic submittal is available. (All EV charging station permit applications.) (§ 12.25.050).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Nevada City?

Nevada City's code: City staff may approve removal to protect public health, safety or welfare. (Trees 10 inches dbh or more; applies even if over 20% of such trees on the property were removed in the past 5 years.) (§ 17.80.090); Yes, a permit is required. (Any tree 10 inches or more in diameter (dbh); staff permit if 5-year removals stay under 20% of such trees, else planning commission review.) (§ 17.80.090).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Nevada City?

Nevada City's code: The pool or the whole property must be walled or fenced to keep children from the street or neighbors out. (§ 17.80.160); At least 6 feet high. (The fence or wall on the side facing a property line, when the pool is less than 30 feet from that line.) (§ 17.80.160).

General information, not legal advice.

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