Redwood City · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Redwood City

Redwood City sets its own limits on fences, accessory buildings, pools, RV street parking, beekeeping and tree removal. Fence height depends on the yard and on how solid the fence is.

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Key points

Fence height: Front-yard fences are limited to 3 feet if solid or 5 feet if partly open; side and rear fences to 7 feet.
Accessory buildings: Accessory buildings are limited to 16 feet tall and must sit at least 4 feet from interior side and rear lines.
Tree removal: Removing, cutting or moving any tree needs a Parks and Recreation Director permit; hazardous-tree emergency removal needs Police, Fire or Park permission.
Pool setbacks: Pools deeper than 24 inches, outside an enclosed building, must be at least 6 feet from side and rear property lines.
RV parking: RVs, including boats and boat trailers, may not park on public streets or City lots from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
Bee hives: Parcels of 3,000 square feet or less may keep at most 2 bee hives, with a minimum of 25 feet from neighboring dwellings.

Each rule below is marked Redwood 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

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
Corner visibility	No solid fence or hedge over 3 feet within 15 feet of the street corner. Applies: Corner lots; street side fences can be up to 7 feet tall, set back 18 inches from the sidewalk. § 36.3 · code text Fences are limited to seven (7) feet in height in the side yard adjacent to the street on corner lots. The fence must be set back eighteen (18) inches from the sidewalk and meet vision triangle requirements as described in Section 36.3(B).
Front yard height	Solid fences can be no more than 3 feet tall. Applies: In the required front yard. § 36.3 · code text All solid fences located in the required front yard shall not exceed three (3) feet in height. Partly solid, partly open fences can be no more than 5 feet tall. Applies: In the required front yard; chain link above 3 feet is not allowed in front yards in residential zones. § 36.3 · code text All combination solid/open fences located in the required front yard shall not exceed five (5) feet in height.
Side and rear yard height	All fences, of any type, can be no more than 7 feet tall. Applies: In side or rear yards. § 36.3 · code text All fences, regardless of type, are limited to seven (7) feet in height in the side or rear yards.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 16 feet in total height. Applies: Applies to accessory buildings in any zoning district. § 36.5 · code text The total height of an accessory building is limited to sixteen (16) feet and the wall height is limited to nine (9) feet for flat or shed roofs adjacent to the side and rear property line. Wall height of no more than 9 feet. Applies: Applies to flat or shed roofs next to the side and rear property line. § 36.5 · code text The total height of an accessory building is limited to sixteen (16) feet and the wall height is limited to nine (9) feet for flat or shed roofs adjacent to the side and rear property line.
Size or lot coverage	All accessory buildings together may cover no more than 50% of the required rear yard. § 36.5 · code text Any combination of accessory buildings shall not cover more than fifty percent (50%) of the required rear yard area. Accessory buildings count toward the zone's maximum lot coverage. § 36.5 · code text Accessory buildings count towards the maximum lot coverage of the underlying zoning district.
Side and rear setback	At least 4 feet from the interior side lot line. Applies: Applies to interior side yard setbacks. § 36.5 · code text For interior side yard setbacks, the accessory building shall provide a minimum side yard setback of four (4) feet. At least 4 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: Applies to the rear yard. § 36.5 · code text An accessory building shall have a minimum rear yard setback of four (4) feet. Buildings under 120 square feet without foundations may sit in the rear setback and required side or rear yards. Applies: Behind the main building's wall; no taller than 7 feet or the setback fence height, whichever is less. § 36.5 · code text Accessory buildings of less than one hundred twenty (120) square feet without foundations may be located in the rear setback, behind the wall of the main building and in a required side or rear yard area provided they do not exceed seven (7) feet in height or the maximum allowed height of a fence in the setback, whichever is less.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from other buildings on the same lot. § 36.5 · code text The accessory building shall be set back at least six (6) feet from other buildings on the same lot.

Running a business from home

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
Employees	No employees except those needed for household purposes. Applies: Applies to business activity at the home. § 31.12 · code text For all business activity occurring at the residence, no persons are employed other than that necessary for domestic purposes. Employees for off-site work may not gather at the home. Applies: Applies to off-site business activities. § 31.12 · code text Employees for off-site business activities shall not assemble at the dwelling.
Permit	Allowed by right, subject to the city's standards. Applies: Applies in a legal dwelling unit in any zoning district. § 31.12 · code text Home occupations are permitted by right in a legal dwelling unit in any zoning district with the following requirements:
Businesses not allowed	on-site vehicle repair; sexually-oriented businesses; animal-related uses; firearm and ammunition retail sale use; any use deemed by the Zoning Administrator to not be incidental to the residential use of the dwelling unit § 31.12 · code text 1. On-site vehicle repair; 2. Sexually-oriented businesses; 3. Animal-related uses; 4. Firearm and ammunition retail sale use; 5. Any use deemed by the Zoning Administrator to not be incidental to the residential use of the dwelling unit.

Lot splits under SB 9

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
How the lot may be divided	No more than 2 new lots of about equal area; neither smaller than 40% of the original lot. Applies: Applies in the RH or R-1 districts. § 30.76 · code text one (1) lot shall not be smaller than forty percent (40%) of the lot area of the original parcel proposed for the subdivision.
Minimum new lot size	Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. § 30.76 · code text Each newly created lot shall be no smaller than one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet.
Setbacks	Rear and side setbacks are 4 feet. Applies: Applies to required rear and side yards. § 30.76 · code text Notwithstanding, required rear and side yard setbacks shall equal four (4) feet, except that no setback shall be required for an existing legally created structure or a new structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing legally created structure. No setback is required. Applies: Applies to an existing legal structure or a new one built in the same place and to the same size. § 30.76 · code text no setback shall be required for an existing legally created structure or a new structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing legally created structure.

RV and boat parking

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
Parking on the street	No RV parking between 8:00 P.M. and 5:00 A.M. Applies: Public streets, alleys, highways and City-owned or leased lots; boats and boat trailers count as RVs. § 20.101.5 · code text no person shall park, stop, or leave standing any recreational vehicle upon a public street, alley, or highway within the City or a parking lot owned or leased by the City between the hours of eight o'clock (8:00) P.M. and five o'clock (5:00) A.M. of any day, except as provided within subsection C of this section. No more than 48 hours within a 7-day period. Applies: In front of the owner's home, or the side on a corner lot, for loading, unloading, cleaning or trip preparation. § 20.101.5 · code text A recreational vehicle parked for these purposes may be parked for no more than a maximum of forty-eight (48) hours within a seven (7) day period.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
EV charger permit	Electronic submittal is available. Applies: Applies to all EV charging station permit applications. § 9.219 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and supporting documents shall be made available for all electric vehicle charging station permit applications. The Building Official approves and issues all required permits when the application is complete and meets the checklist. Applies: Applies to complete applications that meet the checklist's information requirements. § 9.220 · code text Upon confirmation Building Official or their designee of the application and supporting documents being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, they shall approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.
Solar permit process	A building or other nondiscretionary permit issues when a complete application meets the checklist and standard plan; 1 inspection. Applies: Applies to residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 9.216 · code text The Building Official shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one (1) to three (3) business days of receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan for electronic applications.
Review time	The permit is issued the same day. Applies: Applies to over-the-counter applications. § 9.216 · code text The Building Official shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one (1) to three (3) business days of receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan for electronic applications. The permit is issued within 1 to 3 business days. Applies: Applies to complete electronic applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan. § 9.216 · code text The Building Official shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one (1) to three (3) business days of receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan for electronic applications.

Tree removal

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
Exemptions	Emergency removal is allowed with permission from any member of the Police, Fire or Park Departments. Applies: Applies when the tree is in a hazardous or dangerous condition. § 35.5 · code text In case of emergency caused by a tree being in a hazardous or dangerous condition, such tree may be removed by permission of any member of the Police, Fire or Park Departments.
Permit to remove	Yes, a permit from the Parks and Recreation Director is required. Applies: Applies to cutting, moving or removing any tree. § 35.3 · code text It is hereby declared unlawful for any person to cut, move, or remove or cause to be cut, moved or removed any tree, unless such person first obtains a permit from the Parks and Recreation Director to do so in a manner prescribed by him for such removal.

Swimming pools

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
Setback from property lines	At least 6 feet from side and rear property lines; the zone's front setback also applies. Applies: Applies to pools deeper than 24 inches that are not in an enclosed building. § 36.8 · code text Pools must be set back a minimum of six (6) feet from the side and rear property lines and must comply with the minimum front yard setback for the individual zoning district.

Pets, chickens and bees

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
Bees	No more than 2 beehives. Applies: Parcels of 3,000 square feet or less; a steady water supply on site is required. § 21.8 · code text Parcels of three thousand (3,000) square feet or less shall not contain more than two bee hives. Hives must be at least 25 feet from any home on a neighboring property. § 21.7 · code text A bee hive shall be located a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from any dwelling on an adjacent property.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Redwood City?

Front-yard fences are limited to 3 feet if solid or 5 feet if partly open; side and rear fences to 7 feet.

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

Accessory buildings are limited to 16 feet tall and must sit at least 4 feet from interior side and rear lines.

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

Redwood City's code: No employees except those needed for household purposes. (Applies to business activity at the home.) (§ 31.12); Employees for off-site work may not gather at the home. (Applies to off-site business activities.) (§ 31.12).

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

Redwood City's code: No more than 2 new lots of about equal area; neither smaller than 40% of the original lot. (Applies in the RH or R-1 districts.) (§ 30.76); Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. (§ 30.76).

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Redwood City?

RVs, including boats and boat trailers, may not park on public streets or City lots from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

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

Redwood City's code: Electronic submittal is available. (Applies to all EV charging station permit applications.) (§ 9.219); The Building Official approves and issues all required permits when the application is complete and meets the checklist. (Applies to complete applications that meet the checklist's information requirements.) (§ 9.220).

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

Removing, cutting or moving any tree needs a Parks and Recreation Director permit; hazardous-tree emergency removal needs Police, Fire or Park permission.

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

Pools deeper than 24 inches, outside an enclosed building, must be at least 6 feet from side and rear property lines.

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Redwood City?

Parcels of 3,000 square feet or less may keep at most 2 bee hives, with a minimum of 25 feet from neighboring dwellings.

General information, not legal advice.

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