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Plymouth · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Plymouth

Plymouth sets height and setback limits for each type of accessory structure and limits primary and accessory structures together to 60% of a residential lot. Home occupations need a permit and a city business license, with no employees other than residents.

Ask about building on your lot in Plymouth See coverage

Key points

  • Accessory height: Sheds, garages, carports and other accessory structures are limited to 12 feet; closed-roof ones between 12 and 16 feet need an Administrative Use Permit.
  • Shed setbacks: Closed-roof structures such as sheds need 3 feet from interior side and rear lines, 5 feet from the rear where an alley is present.
  • Home business size: Home occupations: at most 10% or 200 square feet of floor area, whichever is less, inside the dwelling; at most 2 customers per day.
  • Fences: Plymouth has a chapter on fences, walls, gates and screening (Chapter 19.82).

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

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Plymouth code What Plymouth's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 12 feet tall.
    Applies: Closed-roof structures such as sheds, pool houses, detached garages and gazebos. A height of 12 to 16 feet needs an Administrative Use Permit.
    § 19.78.040 · code text
    Closed-Roof Structure (including sheds, pool houses, detached garages, gazebos, etc.) | Same as primary structure | 15 feet | 3 feet | 3 feet rear; 5 feet where alley is present | 6 feet | 12 feet 2 | Shall be located to the rear of the house
  • No more than 12 feet tall.
    Applies: Open-roof structures.
    § 19.78.040 · code text
    Open-Roof Structure | Same as primary structure | 15 feet | 3 feet | 3 feet | 6 feet | 12 feet | Shall be located to the rear of the house
  • No more than 12 feet tall.
    Applies: Carports.
    § 19.78.040 · code text
    Carports 3 | Same as primary structure | Not permitted on street side of corner lot | 5 feet | 5 feet | 6 feet | 12 feet |
  • No more than 12 feet tall.
    Applies: Play equipment.
    § 19.78.040 · code text
    Play Equipment | Same as primary structure | 15 feet | 5 feet | 5 feet | 6 feet | 12 feet |
Size or lot coverage
  • The house and accessory structures together may cover no more than 60% of the lot.
    Applies: Residential lots.
    § 19.78.040 · code text
    Maximum aggregate lot coverage by primary and accessory structures is not to exceed 60% of the lot.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 3 feet from the interior side lot line and 3 feet from the rear lot line.
    Applies: Closed-roof structures such as sheds, pool houses, detached garages and gazebos. The rear setback is 5 feet where there is an alley.
    § 19.78.040 · code text
    Closed-Roof Structure (including sheds, pool houses, detached garages, gazebos, etc.) | Same as primary structure | 15 feet | 3 feet | 3 feet rear; 5 feet where alley is present | 6 feet | 12 feet 2 | Shall be located to the rear of the house
  • At least 3 feet from the interior side lot line and 3 feet from the rear lot line.
    Applies: Open-roof structures.
    § 19.78.040 · code text
    Open-Roof Structure | Same as primary structure | 15 feet | 3 feet | 3 feet | 6 feet | 12 feet | Shall be located to the rear of the house
  • At least 5 feet from the interior side lot line and 5 feet from the rear lot line.
    Applies: Carports.
    § 19.78.040 · code text
    Carports 3 | Same as primary structure | Not permitted on street side of corner lot | 5 feet | 5 feet | 6 feet | 12 feet |
  • At least 5 feet from the interior side lot line and 5 feet from the rear lot line.
    Applies: Play equipment.
    § 19.78.040 · code text
    Play Equipment | Same as primary structure | 15 feet | 5 feet | 5 feet | 6 feet | 12 feet |
Distance from the house
  • At least 6 feet from the main house.
    Applies: Closed-roof structures such as sheds, pool houses, detached garages and gazebos.
    § 19.78.040 · code text
    Closed-Roof Structure (including sheds, pool houses, detached garages, gazebos, etc.) | Same as primary structure | 15 feet | 3 feet | 3 feet rear; 5 feet where alley is present | 6 feet | 12 feet 2 | Shall be located to the rear of the house
  • At least 6 feet from the main house.
    Applies: Open-roof structures.
    § 19.78.040 · code text
    Open-Roof Structure | Same as primary structure | 15 feet | 3 feet | 3 feet | 6 feet | 12 feet | Shall be located to the rear of the house
  • At least 6 feet from the main house.
    Applies: Carports.
    § 19.78.040 · code text
    Carports 3 | Same as primary structure | Not permitted on street side of corner lot | 5 feet | 5 feet | 6 feet | 12 feet |
  • At least 6 feet from the main house.
    Applies: Play equipment.
    § 19.78.040 · code text
    Play Equipment | Same as primary structure | 15 feet | 5 feet | 5 feet | 6 feet | 12 feet |

Running a business from home

Plymouth code What Plymouth's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 10% or 200 square feet of floor area, whichever is less.
    Applies: Measured against the floor area of the home.
    § 19.10.040 · code text
    Does not involve the use of more than 10% or more than 200 square feet of floor area of the dwelling unit, whichever is less.
  • The business must stay inside the home; no use of an accessory building, the garage or yard space.
    § 19.10.040 · code text
    Does not use any accessory building, garage, yard space, or activity outside of the dwelling unit.
Customer visits
  • No more than 2 customers or clients per day, only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
    § 19.10.040 · code text
    Does not allow for more than two customers/clients to visit the home each day and customers/clients are limited to visiting the house between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Employees
  • No employees other than people who live in the home.
    § 19.10.040 · code text
    Where no employees, other than residents of the home, come to or work from the home which requires all applicable building and fire codes to be met.
Permit
  • A Home Occupation Permit is required, then a city business license after the permit is approved.
    § 19.10.040 · code text
    A Home Occupation Permit shall be required for all home-based businesses.
  • No Home Occupation Permit is needed.
    Applies: An employee or contract employee of a licensed business that is not located in a home, who works from home.
    § 19.10.040 · code text
    An employee or contract employee of a licensed business enterprise (not located within a home) may work from home without first obtaining a home occupation permit.
Businesses not allowed
  • Selling or displaying goods not produced on the premises
    § 19.10.040 · code text
    Does not display or sell any commodities except those produced on the premises.
  • Substantial mechanical repair work
    § 19.10.040 · code text
    Where no substantial mechanical repair work is permitted.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Plymouth code What Plymouth's code adds
EV charger permit
  • The Building Official issues all needed permits when the application meets the City's checklist and all laws and safety standards.
    Applies: Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.
    § 15.08.040 · code text
    Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the City's adopted checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the Building Official shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, approve the application and issue all necessary permits.
  • Electronic submittal is allowed.
    § 15.08.040 · code text
    The Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this article and associated supporting documentations.
Solar permit process
  • Administrative, nondiscretionary review. A permit is issued for a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plan; only 1 inspection.
    Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems.
    § 15.07.060 · code text
    The City's Building Official shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems within 30 days of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
Review time
  • Within 3 business days, to the extent possible.
    Applies: Applies to electronic applications for small home rooftop solar that meet the checklist and standard plan.
    § 15.07.060 · code text
    To the extent possible, the Building Official shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit the same day for over-the-counter applications or within three business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.
  • The same day, to the extent possible.
    Applies: Applies to over-the-counter applications for small home rooftop solar that meet the checklist and standard plan.
    § 15.07.060 · code text
    To the extent possible, the Building Official shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit the same day for over-the-counter applications or within three business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Tree removal

Plymouth code What Plymouth's code adds
Exemptions
  • No tree removal permit is required.
    Applies: Heritage or protected tree found dangerous to life or property in an emergency by a listed official, such as the City Manager or Fire Chief.
    § 8.20.030 · code text
    no tree removal permit shall be required for the removal of a heritage tree or protected tree determined to be hazardous or dangerous to life or property in emergency situations as determined by any of the following:
  • No tree removal permit is required.
    Applies: Removing or moving trees to keep adequate traffic line-of-sight, as the City Manager, designee or City Engineer requires.
    § 8.20.030 · code text
    no tree removal permit shall be required for the removal or relocation of trees necessary to maintain adequate traffic line-of-sight distances as required by the City Manager, designee, or the City Engineer.
  • No habitat analysis is needed.
    Applies: Tree removal permit on undeveloped property, for trees that are hazardous or carry pests or disease that threaten other trees.
    § 8.20.060 · code text
    This section does not apply to trees which constitute a hazard to life and property or harbor insect(s), fungi, or disease(s) which constitute a threat to other trees within the City.
Penalty
  • Fine up to $750 for a first violation, $850 for a second within 1 year, $1,000 for each more.
    Applies: Each heritage or protected tree removed without a permit. Further violations within 1 year. Replacement trees are also required.
    § 8.20.030 · code text
    a fine not exceeding $750 for a first violation
Permit to remove
  • Yes. A tree removal permit is required.
    Applies: Applies to removing or significantly pruning a heritage or protected tree on private or public property.
    § 8.20.030 · code text
    It is unlawful for any person to remove, cause to be removed, or significantly prune any heritage or protected tree from any private or public property without obtaining a tree removal permit from the City Manager or designee.
Replacement trees
  • Replacement trees are required for each tree removed.
    Applies: Applies to each tree removed without a permit, in addition to the fines.
    § 8.20.030 · code text
    In addition to administrative fines, replacement trees are required for each tree removed as specified in Section 8.20.305.

Pets, chickens and bees

Plymouth code What Plymouth's code adds
Chickens
  • Yes, up to 6 hens.
    Applies: A, RR and SR zoning districts, on properties of 4,000 to 12,000 square feet.
    § 7.52.030 · code text
    Up to six hens may be kept on properties which are 4,000 square feet to 12,000 square feet in size.
  • Yes, up to 12 hens.
    Applies: A, RR and SR zoning districts, on properties of 12,000 square feet and above.
    § 7.52.030 · code text
    Up to 12 hens may be kept on properties which are 12,000 square feet and above in size.
  • No.
    Applies: Applies to properties smaller than 4,000 square feet.
    § 7.52.030 · code text
    Properties which are less than 4,000 square feet in size may not have hens.
Coop setback
  • At least 5 feet from side and rear property lines.
    Applies: Applies to hen coops.
    § 7.52.040 · code text
    All hen coops shall be set back a minimum, of five feet from the side and rear property lines.
  • At least 25 feet from any habitable structure on a neighboring parcel.
    Applies: Applies to hen coops.
    § 7.52.040 · code text
    All hen coops shall maintain a minimum separation of 25 feet from any habitable structure(s) on the adjoining parcel(s).

Other Plymouth rules on this

Plymouth'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 Plymouth?

Plymouth has a chapter on fences, walls, gates and screening (Chapter 19.82). Plymouth also has a related rule: Fences, walls, gates and screening (Ch. 19.82).

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

Sheds, garages, carports and other accessory structures are limited to 12 feet; closed-roof ones between 12 and 16 feet need an Administrative Use Permit. Closed-roof structures such as sheds need 3 feet from interior side and rear lines, 5 feet from the rear where an alley is present.

Can I run a business from my home in Plymouth?

Home occupations: at most 10% or 200 square feet of floor area, whichever is less, inside the dwelling; at most 2 customers per day.

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

Plymouth's code: The Building Official issues all needed permits when the application meets the City's checklist and all laws and safety standards. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 15.08.040); Electronic submittal is allowed. (§ 15.08.040).

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

Plymouth's code: No tree removal permit is required. (Heritage or protected tree found dangerous to life or property in an emergency by a listed official, such as the City Manager or Fire Chief.) (§ 8.20.030); No tree removal permit is required. (Removing or moving trees to keep adequate traffic line-of-sight, as the City Manager, designee or City Engineer requires.) (§ 8.20.030).

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

Plymouth's code: Yes, up to 6 hens. (A, RR and SR zoning districts, on properties of 4,000 to 12,000 square feet.) (§ 7.52.030); Yes, up to 12 hens. (A, RR and SR zoning districts, on properties of 12,000 square feet and above.) (§ 7.52.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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