Rio Dell · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Rio Dell

Rio Dell sets its own rules for fences, detached accessory buildings and home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard and the fence type, and a home business needs a permit and a current business license.

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Key points

Fence height: Front-yard fences are limited to 4 feet, or 7 feet for ornamental metal fences at least 60% open; side and rear yards, 7 feet.
Accessory setbacks: Detached accessory buildings must be at least 5 feet from a side lot line and from any main building (city rule).
Home businesses: A home business may use at most 25% of the home or 500 square feet, whichever is more, with no customer services on site.

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

Fences and walls

Rio Dell code What Rio Dell's code adds
Corner visibility	No fence, wall or hedge over 3 feet within 30 feet of the street corner. Applies: Residential corner lots; no other view obstruction 3 to 10 feet above street grade, except posts, columns or trees up to 1 foot in diameter. § 17.30.140 · code text there shall be no fence, wall, or hedge higher than three feet, nor any obstruction to vision other than a post, column, or tree not exceeding one foot in diameter, between a height of three feet and a height of 10 feet above the established grade of either street, within an area 30 feet from the intersection of the street lot lines.
Front yard height	Fences can be no more than 4 feet tall. Applies: In a front yard. § 17.30.140 · code text A fence located in a front yard shall not exceed four feet in height. Ornamental metal fences can be up to 7 feet tall. Applies: In front yards, if the fence is at least 60% open overall. § 17.30.140 · code text However, an ornamental metal fence may be erected to a height of seven feet. A masonry wall with an ornamental metal fence on top can be no more than 7 feet tall combined. Applies: The part above 4 feet must be at least 60% open. § 17.30.140 · code text An ornamental metal fence may also be constructed atop a masonry wall provided the combined height of the wall and fence does not exceed seven feet
Side and rear yard height	Fences can be up to 7 feet tall. Applies: In side or rear yards. § 17.30.140 · code text A fence located in a side yard or rear yard may be erected to a height of seven feet.
Permit	A special use permit from the Planning Commission is needed to change the fence height limits. Applies: Only for good cause; the Commission may require changes to height, design, materials, setback or screening. § 17.30.140 · code text The Planning Commission may modify by special use permit the height requirements of this section, upon a showing of good cause.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Rio Dell code What Rio Dell's code adds
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from a side lot line. Applies: Detached accessory buildings; they also cannot be built on any easement. § 17.30.370 · code text Detached accessory buildings may not be located within five feet of any main building, nor within five feet of a side line, nor as to encroach on any easement.
Distance from the house	At least 5 feet from any main building. Applies: Detached accessory buildings. § 17.30.370 · code text Detached accessory buildings may not be located within five feet of any main building, nor within five feet of a side line, nor as to encroach on any easement.

Running a business from home

Rio Dell code What Rio Dell's code adds
Space used	No more than 25% or 500 square feet of the home's floor area, whichever is more. Applies: Space used inside the home. § 17.30.170 · code text Not more than 25 percent or 500 square feet (whichever is more) of the total floor area within the dwelling unit or no more than 500 square feet of an accessory building shall be used in connection with any home occupation; No more than 500 square feet. Applies: Space used in an accessory building. § 17.30.170 · code text Not more than 25 percent or 500 square feet (whichever is more) of the total floor area within the dwelling unit or no more than 500 square feet of an accessory building shall be used in connection with any home occupation; No more than 25% or 500 square feet of floor area, whichever is more. Applies: An address of convenience, a business address for mail and phone calls, in the home or an accessory building. § 17.30.170 · code text Not more than 25 percent or 500 square feet (whichever is more) of the total floor area within the dwelling unit or accessory building shall be used in connection with any address of convenience.
Customer visits	The business must not mainly involve serving customers or clients at the home. Applies: Home occupations. § 17.30.170 · code text The primary function of a home occupation shall not necessitate the rendering of services to customers or clients on the premises; No services to clients or customers at the property. Applies: Addresses of convenience. § 17.30.170 · code text An address of convenience shall not include the rendering of services to clients or customers at the premises;
Permit	A business license is required and must be kept current. Applies: Home occupations and addresses of convenience. § 17.30.170 · code text Every home occupation and address of convenience permittee shall obtain a business license and keep it current during the life of the business. A home occupation permit is required. Applies: All home occupations in the city. § 17.30.170 · code text all home occupations in the City of Rio Dell must secure approval of a home occupation permit.
Businesses not allowed	automobile repair, automobile wrecking, barber shops and beauty parlors, commercial stables, veterinary offices, kennels, or restaurants Applies: home occupations; the list is not limited to these uses; a business that does not meet the home occupation standards requires a conditional use permit § 17.30.170 · code text A home occupation shall not include, but such exclusion shall not be limited to, the following: automobile repair, automobile wrecking, barber shops and beauty parlors, commercial stables, veterinary offices, kennels, or restaurants;

Solar panels and EV chargers

Rio Dell code What Rio Dell's code adds
EV charger permit	The Building Official approves and issues all permits when the application meets the City checklist and laws. Applies: Applies to EV charging stations. Electronic applications and signatures are accepted. § 15.25.020 · code text the Building Official shall implement an expedited administrative permit review process for electric vehicle charging stations
Solar permit process	Administrative approval after a complete checklist application; only 1 inspection is required. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.20.020 · code text Upon confirmation by the Building Official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.

Swimming pools

Rio Dell code What Rio Dell's code adds
Pool barrier	No openings larger than 4 inches. Applies: Applies to the wall or fence around the pool or property. § 17.30.340 · code text containing no openings greater than four inches except for self-closing and self-latching gates
Barrier height	At least 4 feet high. Applies: Applies to the wall or fence that fully encloses the pool or the property. § 17.30.340 · code text Such pool or the property on which it is located shall be completely enclosed by a wall or fence not less than four feet in height
Equipment and alarms	Filter and heating systems must be at least 10 feet from any lot line. Applies: Applies to filter and heating systems. § 17.30.340 · code text Filter and heating systems shall not be located within 10 feet of any lot line.
Gates	Self-closing, self-latching gates with the latch at least 4 feet above the ground. § 17.30.340 · code text except for self-closing and self-latching gates on which the latch is at least four feet above ground level
Permit	A use permit is required in any zone. Applies: Noncommercial pools, ponds or tanks that can hold water over 18 inches deep, where swimming or bathing is allowed. § 17.30.340 · code text shall be permitted with a use permit in any zone
Setback from property lines	At least 5 feet from any lot line. Applies: Side and rear yards as for accessory buildings; the pool must be on the rear half of the lot. § 17.30.340 · code text but in no case within five feet of any lot line At least 50 feet from the front lot line. Applies: The pool must be on the rear half of the lot. § 17.30.340 · code text and in any case not less than 50 feet from the front lot line

Other Rio Dell rules on this

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

Horse shelter and poultry rules (§ 6.05.120)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Rio Dell?

Front-yard fences are limited to 4 feet, or 7 feet for ornamental metal fences at least 60% open; side and rear yards, 7 feet.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Rio Dell?

Detached accessory buildings must be at least 5 feet from a side lot line and from any main building (city rule).

Can I run a business from my home in Rio Dell?

A home business may use at most 25% of the home or 500 square feet, whichever is more, with no customer services on site.

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

Rio Dell's code: The Building Official approves and issues all permits when the application meets the City checklist and laws. (Applies to EV charging stations. Electronic applications and signatures are accepted.) (§ 15.25.020); Administrative approval after a complete checklist application; only 1 inspection is required. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.20.020).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Rio Dell?

Rio Dell's code: No openings larger than 4 inches. (Applies to the wall or fence around the pool or property.) (§ 17.30.340); At least 4 feet high. (Applies to the wall or fence that fully encloses the pool or the property.) (§ 17.30.340).

General information, not legal advice.

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