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Pittsburg · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Pittsburg

Pittsburg sets fence heights in R districts by yard and lot type, and fences above 3 feet near corners must be 66 2/3 percent open. Home occupations need a permit and may not serve customers at the home, except some educational services.

Key points

  • Fence heights: R districts: side and rear fences within a required yard at most 6 feet; front yards of key lots, 4 1/2 feet.
  • Accessory size: R districts: nonresidential accessory structures over 4 feet tall total at most 800 square feet or 6 percent of the lot, whichever is more.
  • Home business size: A home occupation may use at most 20 percent of the dwelling's floor area and 10 percent of the site; only residents may work.

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

Fences and walls

Pittsburg code What Pittsburg's code adds
Corner visibility
  • No more than 4½ feet high. Above 3 feet, the fence must be 66⅔% open.
    Applies: R District corner sight triangle: street lines and a line joining points 30 feet from the intersection.
    § 18.84.205 · code text
    Corner side sight visibility triangle: four and one-half feet; provided, that the portion above three feet in height must have generally uniformly spaced interstices to allow 66 and two-thirds percent open area between the fence material within a triangle formed by the intersecting street lines and a line joining points on these street lines at a distance of 30 feet from the intersection of these lines.
Height anywhere on the lot
  • Up to 6 feet high.
    Applies: R District: only on the line shared by a key lot and the next reverse corner lot, in the set area.
    § 18.84.205 · code text
    Fence height may be increased to six feet, only on the property line shared by the key lot and adjoining reverse corner lot, and only between the rear of the required front yard and the point along the property line that is as far away from the front line as the width of the required corner side yard of the adjoining key lot.
Side and rear yard height
  • No more than 6 feet high, lower near the sidewalk.
    Applies: R District corner side yards, except within 3 feet of the sidewalk edge, or of the curb or pavement without a sidewalk.
    § 18.84.205 · code text
    Corner side: six feet, except for the portion of the lot within three feet of the edge of the sidewalk, or three feet from the curb or pavement if there is no sidewalk, in which the maximum height is four and one-half feet;
  • No more than 4½ feet high.
    Applies: R District corner side yards within 3 feet of the sidewalk, curb or pavement. Above 3 feet must be 66⅔% open.
    § 18.84.205 · code text
    Corner side: six feet, except for the portion of the lot within three feet of the edge of the sidewalk, or three feet from the curb or pavement if there is no sidewalk, in which the maximum height is four and one-half feet;
  • No more than 6 feet high.
    Applies: R District: required side and rear yards.
    § 18.84.205 · code text
    Side and rear: six feet.
Front yard height
  • No more than 4½ feet high.
    Applies: R District: front and corner side yards of a reverse corner lot.
    § 18.84.205 · code text
    Front and corner side of a reverse corner lot: four and one-half feet;
  • No more than 4½ feet high.
    Applies: R District: front yard of a key lot.
    § 18.84.205 · code text
    Front yard of a key lot: four and one-half feet.
Permit
  • Zoning administrator approval or a use permit may raise or change the fence height limits.
    Applies: To build above the fence height standards.
    § 18.84.205 · code text
    The maximum fence height standards may be increased or the required fence criteria may be reduced or modified by the issuance of a zoning administrator approval under Chapter 18.32 PMC or in conjunction with the issuance of a use permit for a proposed use.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Pittsburg code What Pittsburg's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 10 feet high.
    Applies: Nonresidential accessory structures in a required rear yard.
    § 18.84.005 · code text
    A nonresidential accessory structure may be located within a required rear yard providing the maximum height does not exceed 10 feet; however, no portion of a roof having a pitch of 3:12 or greater may exceed 12 feet.
  • No more than 12 feet high.
    Applies: Any part of a roof with a pitch of 3:12 or more, on a nonresidential accessory structure in a required rear yard.
    § 18.84.005 · code text
    A nonresidential accessory structure may be located within a required rear yard providing the maximum height does not exceed 10 feet; however, no portion of a roof having a pitch of 3:12 or greater may exceed 12 feet.
  • six and one-half feet
    Applies: equipment shed in a required side or rear yard; height may not exceed the height of the solid fence or six and one-half feet, whichever is less
    § 18.84.005 · code text
    The structure does not exceed the height of the fence or six and one-half feet, whichever is less;
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 800 square feet or 6% of the lot area, whichever is more.
    Applies: Total floor area of all nonresidential accessory structures over 4 feet tall in R districts.
    § 18.84.005 · code text
    The total gross floor area of all nonresidential accessory structures more than four feet in height may not exceed 800 square feet or six percent of the lot area, whichever is more.
  • No more than 50 square feet in total.
    Applies: All equipment sheds in a required side or rear yard.
    § 18.84.005 · code text
    The total surface area of all such structures does not exceed 50 square feet.
Distance from the house
  • At least 5 feet from the wall of a main building.
    § 18.84.005 · code text
    An accessory structure must be at least five feet from the wall of a main building.

Running a business from home

Pittsburg code What Pittsburg's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 20% of the home's total floor area.
    Applies: The part of the home used for the business.
    § 18.50.405 · code text
    Not more than 20 percent of the total floor area of the dwelling or 10 percent of the site may be used in conjunction with the home occupation;
  • No more than 10% of the site.
    Applies: The part of the site used for the business.
    § 18.50.405 · code text
    Not more than 20 percent of the total floor area of the dwelling or 10 percent of the site may be used in conjunction with the home occupation;
Customer visits
  • No services to customers or clients at the home.
    Applies: Educational services that cause no more noise or traffic than is normal for the area are the exception.
    § 18.50.405 · code text
    The primary function of the home occupation will not necessitate providing services to customers or clients within or on the site of the dwelling unit.
Employees
  • Only a resident of the home may work in the business.
    § 18.50.405 · code text
    Only a resident of the dwelling unit may be engaged or employed in the home occupation;
Permit
  • A home occupation permit is required.
    Applies: Home businesses as an accessory use of a home in an R district.
    § 18.50.400 · code text
    A home occupation is permitted in an R district as an accessory use for a dwelling unit upon the issuance of a home occupation permit.
  • A home occupation or zoning administrator approval is required for each business.
    Applies: More than 1 home business in a home. Each one is a separate business.
    § 18.50.420 · code text
    More than one home occupation may be located in a dwelling unit but each use is considered a separate business and must obtain a home occupation or zoning administrator approval.
Businesses not allowed
  • repair, manufacture, processing, or alteration of goods, materials, objects, or equipment
    Applies: on a commercial basis at the dwelling; dressmaking, tailoring, arts and crafts and artistic works for off-site sale are allowed if no equipment or process has an adverse impact on the neighborhood; clerical, graphic, computer-generated or administrative products are not excluded
    § 18.50.415 · code text
    The repair, manufacture, processing, or alteration of goods, materials, objects, or equipment.
  • food handling, processing, or packing
    Applies: except as permitted under Health and Safety Code Section 113758 as a cottage food operation
    § 18.50.415 · code text
    A use involving food handling, processing, or packing, except as permitted under Health and Safety Code Section 113758 as a cottage food operation;
  • harboring, training, or raising animals
    Applies: except breeding and selling no more than two litters or broods of domestic animals in any calendar year
    § 18.50.415 · code text
    Harboring, training, or raising animals, with the exception of the breeding and selling of no more than two litters or broods of domestic animals in any calendar year;
  • major or minor vehicle equipment repair or painting, including off-site mobile services
    Applies: windshield or glass repair and minor dent removal are permitted subject to stated conditions
    § 18.50.415 · code text
    Either major or minor vehicle equipment repair or painting, including off-site mobile services.
  • sale or servicing of firearms or ammunition
    § 18.50.415 · code text
    Sale or servicing of firearms or ammunition;
  • automobile washing and detailing, including off-site mobile services
    § 18.50.415 · code text
    Automobile washing and detailing, including off-site mobile services.

Tree removal

Pittsburg code What Pittsburg's code adds
Exemptions
  • Removal may be ordered by an authorized official in an emergency.
    Applies: The tree is hazardous or dangerous to life or property.
    § 18.84.845 · code text
    In cases of emergency when a tree is hazardous or dangerous to life or property, it may be removed by order of the chief of police, by the chief of the Contra Costa County fire protection district, by the zoning administrator, director of community and economic development or his or her designee, or by the director of public works or his or her designee;
  • Trees whose removal was approved in a plan, subdivision, project or building permit before the tree rules took effect.
    Applies: Approvals given before the tree rules took effect.
    § 18.84.845 · code text
    Any tree whose removal was specifically approved as a part of an approved development plan, subdivision, other discretionary project or a building permit, approved prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
Permit to remove
  • Yes, a tree removal permit is required.
    Applies: Protected trees on property other than city-owned land or public right-of-way.
    § 18.84.845 · code text
    A protected tree may only be removed, including a cut-down, destruction, removal or relocation of any protected tree growing on property other than city-owned property or other public right-of-way within the city limits, upon approval of a tree removal permit issued by the zoning administrator, planning commission or city council, as applicable.
Replacement trees
  • The applicant must propose when and how removed trees will be replaced.
    Applies: Tree removal permit applications.
    § 18.84.850 · code text
    The applicant shall propose the time and manner in which the removed tree(s) will be replaced, subject to the requirements of this article.

Swimming pools

Pittsburg code What Pittsburg's code adds
Pool barrier
  • Openings, holes or gaps no larger than 4 inches horizontally, except doors or gates.
    Applies: Fence or wall around a pool or water deeper than 18 inches or larger than 250 square feet.
    § 15.56.030 · code text
    with openings, holes or gaps therein no larger than four inches measured horizontally, except for doors or gates
  • Gate or door openings, holes or gaps no larger than 4 inches horizontally.
    Applies: Gates or doors through the enclosure.
    § 15.56.030 · code text
    No gate or door opening through such enclosure shall have any openings, holes or gaps larger than four inches measured horizontally.
  • A new pool must be fenced before it is filled with water.
    § 15.56.040 · code text
    Fencing as required by this chapter shall be installed around all existing pools within 90 days from and after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. Every other pool shall be fenced as set forth in this chapter prior to the pool being filled with water for use.
Barrier height
  • At least 5 feet high.
    Applies: Fence or wall fully around a pool or water deeper than 18 inches or larger than 250 square feet.
    § 15.56.030 · code text
    shall maintain on the lot or premises upon which such pool or body of water is located and completely surrounding such pool or body of water, a fence or wall not less than five feet in height
Gates
  • Self-closing and self-latching; breezeways and garage back doors to the pool need latches at least 4 feet 10 inches high.
    § 15.56.030 · code text
    Every such gate or door shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device designed to keep, and capable of keeping, such door or gate securely closed at all times when not in actual use; provided, however, that the door of any dwelling occupied by human beings and forming any part of the enclosure hereinabove required need not be so equipped, with the exception of breezeways, back doors of garages, and similar structures, affording access to pool which shall be self-closing and self-latching, with such latching placed at least four feet 10 inches above the ground level.
Setback from property lines
  • At least 5 feet.
    Applies: From the planned water surface to any rear or side lot line.
    § 15.56.050 · code text
    no swimming pool shall be constructed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter in such a manner that the intended water surface thereof is within five feet of any rear lot line, nor within five feet of any side lot line.

Pets, chickens and bees

Pittsburg code What Pittsburg's code adds
Permit
  • A multiple pet license is required.
    Applies: Keeping more than 3 dogs or 5 cats, 6 months or older, for noncommercial use more than 30 days.
    § 7.08.040 · code text
    No person may keep more than three dogs of six months in age nor more than five cats of six months in age or older for noncommercial purposes for more than 30 days without a multiple pet license, except where allowed under PMC Title 18.
Pet limit
  • No more than 3 dogs 6 months old.
    Applies: Noncommercial use for more than 30 days without a multiple pet license.
    § 7.08.040 · code text
    No person may keep more than three dogs of six months in age nor more than five cats of six months in age or older for noncommercial purposes for more than 30 days without a multiple pet license, except where allowed under PMC Title 18.
  • No more than 5 cats 6 months or older.
    Applies: Noncommercial use for more than 30 days without a multiple pet license.
    § 7.08.040 · code text
    No person may keep more than three dogs of six months in age nor more than five cats of six months in age or older for noncommercial purposes for more than 30 days without a multiple pet license, except where allowed under PMC Title 18.

Other Pittsburg rules on this

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

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Pittsburg?

R districts: side and rear fences within a required yard at most 6 feet; front yards of key lots, 4 1/2 feet.

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

R districts: nonresidential accessory structures over 4 feet tall total at most 800 square feet or 6 percent of the lot, whichever is more.

Can I run a business from my home in Pittsburg?

A home occupation may use at most 20 percent of the dwelling's floor area and 10 percent of the site; only residents may work.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Pittsburg?

Pittsburg's code: Removal may be ordered by an authorized official in an emergency. (The tree is hazardous or dangerous to life or property.) (§ 18.84.845); Trees whose removal was approved in a plan, subdivision, project or building permit before the tree rules took effect. (Approvals given before the tree rules took effect.) (§ 18.84.845).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Pittsburg?

Pittsburg's code: Openings, holes or gaps no larger than 4 inches horizontally, except doors or gates. (Fence or wall around a pool or water deeper than 18 inches or larger than 250 square feet.) (§ 15.56.030); Gate or door openings, holes or gaps no larger than 4 inches horizontally. (Gates or doors through the enclosure.) (§ 15.56.030).

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

Pittsburg's code: A multiple pet license is required. (Keeping more than 3 dogs or 5 cats, 6 months or older, for noncommercial use more than 30 days.) (§ 7.08.040); No more than 3 dogs 6 months old. (Noncommercial use for more than 30 days without a multiple pet license.) (§ 7.08.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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