Placerville · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Placerville

Placerville's rules cover permits for fences and plantings in the public right of way, detached accessory structures in the rear yard, and home occupations.

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Key points

Right-of-way permit: A fence, hedge or planting in a public right of way needs an encroachment permit.
Rear-yard structures: Placerville sets 12-foot and 5-foot standards for detached accessory structures in the required rear yard.
Banned businesses: Adult-related establishments are not allowed as home occupations in Placerville.

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

Fences and walls

Placerville code What Placerville's code adds
Permit	Yes. An encroachment permit is needed for a fence, hedge or planting in a public right-of-way. Applies: Hedges, shrubs, other plants, fences or similar structures in a right-of-way. § 8-3-20 · code text No hedge, shrub, or other planting whatever, fence or similar structure, except as provided in section 8-3-22 of this chapter, shall be planted, erected or maintained in a right of way without a permit.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Placerville code What Placerville's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 12 feet high. Applies: Detached accessory structures in the required rear yard. § 10-4-3 · code text Detached accessory structures not higher than one story or twelve feet (12') may be located on the required rear yard up to five feet (5') of the rear parcel line.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: Detached accessory structures in the required rear yard. § 10-4-3 · code text Detached accessory structures not higher than one story or twelve feet (12') may be located on the required rear yard up to five feet (5') of the rear parcel line.

Running a business from home

Placerville code What Placerville's code adds
Businesses not allowed	adult related establishment Applies: as defined in this chapter § 10-9-5 · code text No "adult related establishment" as defined in this chapter shall be permitted as a home occupation under any zoning classification.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Placerville code What Placerville's code adds
Solar permit process	Administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review; one inspection, scheduled within 2 business days of a request. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems. § 4-12-6 · code text The city building division shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems. $200. Applies: Hourly-based fee for solar permit and inspection, unless the system is more than a standard installation. § 4-12-7 · code text A fee based on the number of hours for service for a solar permit and inspection time provided is two hundred dollars ($200.00) unless determined the proposed system is more than a standard installation. Permit fee at most $500, plus $15 per kilowatt above 10 kilowatts. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems. § 4-12-7 · code text The permit fee shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) plus fifteen dollars ($15.00) per kilowatt for each kilowatt above ten (10) kilowatts.
Review time	Within 3 business days. Applies: Complete electronic applications meeting the approved checklist and standard plan. § 4-12-6 · code text The building division shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit within three (3) business days for electronic applications of receipt of a deemed complete application and meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Pets, chickens and bees

Placerville code What Placerville's code adds
Chickens	Up to 6 hens; no roosters. Applies: Developed lots used only as homes in single-family zones; RE, R-1A and agricultural zones are exempt. § 10-4-18 · code text A maximum of six (6) hen chickens may be kept on a developed lot used exclusively for residential purposes; and, provided further, that the keeping of hen chickens shall not create a health or nuisance problem.
Coop setback	At least 20 feet. Applies: Chicken enclosures, from any property line and any home; rear or side yard only, not visible from a public street. § 10-4-18 · code text Enclosures shall maintain at least twenty feet (20') from any property line and from any structure used for human habitation.
Permit	A conditional use permit is required. Applies: To depart from the chicken-keeping rules. § 10-4-18 · code text Any person seeking to deviate from the regulations and standards set forth in this section may only engage in the keeping of chickens upon approval of a conditional use permit.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Placerville?

A fence, hedge or planting in a public right of way needs an encroachment permit.

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

Placerville sets 12-foot and 5-foot standards for detached accessory structures in the required rear yard.

Can I run a business from my home in Placerville?

Adult-related establishments are not allowed as home occupations in Placerville.

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

Placerville's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review; one inspection, scheduled within 2 business days of a request. (Small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 4-12-6); $200. (Hourly-based fee for solar permit and inspection, unless the system is more than a standard installation.) (§ 4-12-7).

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

Placerville's code: Up to 6 hens; no roosters. (Developed lots used only as homes in single-family zones; RE, R-1A and agricultural zones are exempt.) (§ 10-4-18); At least 20 feet. (Chicken enclosures, from any property line and any home; rear or side yard only, not visible from a public street.) (§ 10-4-18).

General information, not legal advice.

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Placerville Municipal Code — full text

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