Nevada County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Nevada County
Nevada County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. Fence limits depend on the zoning district, the setback area and whether the fence is open or solid.
Key points
- Front setbacks: County rule: in front and street side setbacks, solid fences are limited to 3 ft; open fences to 4 ft in residential districts.
- Side and rear: County rule: in rear and interior side setbacks, fences are limited to 6 ft, except open fences in rural districts.
Each rule below is marked Nevada County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Nevada County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Nevada County have their own codes and their own pages.
Fences and walls
Nevada County code County rule: in front and street side setbacks, solid fences are limited to 3 ft; open fences to 4 ft in residential districts. County rule: in rear and interior side setbacks, fences are limited to 6 ft, except open fences in rural districts.
All 9 Nevada County rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Nevada County code The Building Official approves the application administratively with a nondiscretionary permit; electronic submittal is available. Administrative, non-discretionary review; a permit is issued on a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plan; 1 inspection.
All 3 Nevada County rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Nevada County code Exempt: trees approved for removal in a Use Permit, Development Permit or Subdivision. Exempt: trees on developed residentially zoned property.
All 5 Nevada County rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Nevada County code Up to 4 hens; no roosters. Up to 8 hens; no roosters.
All 5 Nevada County rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
Nevada County code Required for any grading project that needs a grading permit. Basement and footing excavations under a valid building permit (not fill from them or unsupported cuts over five feet); an excavation less than two feet deep, up to fifty cubic yards, that does not create a cut slope both more than five feet high and steeper than 1 vertical in 1.5 horizontal; fills less than three feet deep that do not support structures, do not exceed fifty cubic yards on one lot and do not block a drainage course (or less than one foot deep on terrain flatter than 1 vertical in 5 horizontal); up to two hundred fifty cubic yards in an isolated area if the Building Official approves; fire-protection clearing within one hundred feet of a dwelling
All 3 Nevada County rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
Nevada County code A registered geotechnical engineer's written evaluation; a design-level geotechnical report if the engineer recommends one. Lot pad grading of at most 5,000 square feet.
All 5 Nevada County rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Other Nevada County rules on this
Nevada County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- SB 9 second home on a single-family lot (§ 12.03.193) — single-family zones only
- Living in an RV on your property (§ 12.03.150)
- Floodplain management (Ch. 18.01)
- Fire protection development fees (Ch. 17.02)
- Park and recreation fees for new homes (§ 17.01.020) — outside the Truckee-Donner recreation and park district
- Road development fee (§ 17.03.020)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a family child care home in Nevada County?
California law sets this for every city, including Nevada County: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
General information, not legal advice.
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