Rio Vista · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Rio Vista

Rio Vista sets its own rules for fences and home businesses. A home business needs a permit from the department of community development and may not sell goods directly from the premises.

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Key points

Fence height: Fences are limited to 7 feet in interior side or rear yards, and 3 feet in sight triangles of front or corner street-side yards.
Home businesses: A home business may use at most 25% of the home, main building only, with no non-resident employees unless a use permit is approved.

Each rule below is marked Rio Vista 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 Vista code What Rio Vista's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet above natural grade. Applies: Fences, walls and hedges in the required front yard or street side yard of a corner lot, within the sight distance triangle. § 17.44.130 · code text Fences, walls, hedges and other ornamental landscaping located within the required front yard or the required exterior (street) side yard of a corner lot shall not exceed three feet in height above the natural grade within the sight distance triangle.
Side and rear yard height	Fences, walls, hedges and shrubs may be no more than 7 feet tall. Applies: In any interior side or rear yard. § 17.44.130 · code text Fences, walls, hedges and shrubs not over seven feet in height may be located in any interior side or rear yard.

Running a business from home

Rio Vista code What Rio Vista's code adds
Space used	No more than 25% of the home's total floor area. § 17.44.040 · code text No more than 25% of the total floor area of the dwelling to be used as a home occupation. Only the main building may be used; no other building or outside space. § 17.44.040 · code text No building or space outside of the main building shall be used for home occupational purposes.
Employees	No employees who do not live in the home. Applies: Unless the planning commission approves a use permit. § 17.44.040 · code text No person who is not a resident of the home shall be employed by the home occupation unless the planning commission approves a use permit allowing for such.
Permit	A home occupation permit from the department of community development is required. § 17.44.040 · code text Home occupations are allowed in all residentially zoned districts, provided the conditions of approval are met and a home occupation permit is obtained from the department of community development.
Businesses not allowed	direct sales of products or merchandise from the premises § 17.44.040 · code text No direct sales of products or merchandise from the premises.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Rio Vista code What Rio Vista's code adds
EV charger permit	All needed permits are issued when the application meets the city's adopted checklist and health and safety laws. Applies: Applies to EV charging stations. § 15.06.070 · code text Upon confirmation by the building division that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the city's adopted checklist, and are consistent with all applicable health and safety laws, the building division shall, consistent with Government Code § 65850.7, as may be amended, approve the application and issue all necessary permits.
Review time	The permit is issued the same day. Applies: Over-the-counter applications for small residential rooftop solar systems. § 15.14.060 · code text The building and safety division shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one to three business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan. The permit is issued within 1 to 3 business days. Applies: Electronic applications for small residential rooftop solar systems. § 15.14.060 · code text The building and safety division shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one to three business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Swimming pools

Rio Vista code What Rio Vista's code adds
Pool barrier	A permanent fence must fully enclose the pool. Applies: Applies to pools, ponds or open tanks deeper than 18 inches. § 17.44.090 · code text All pools, ponds, lakes or open tanks deeper than 18 inches must be completely enclosed with a permanent fence of at least five feet in height.
Barrier height	At least 5 feet high. Applies: Permanent fence around pools, ponds or open tanks deeper than 18 inches. § 17.44.090 · code text All pools, ponds, lakes or open tanks deeper than 18 inches must be completely enclosed with a permanent fence of at least five feet in height.
Equipment and alarms	Filter and heating equipment must be fully enclosed; soundproofing may be required within 15 feet of a neighbor's home. Applies: Applies to filter and heating systems for any pool. § 17.44.090 · code text Filter and heating systems for any pools shall not be located closer than three feet from any lot line and shall be fully enclosed with a wall, trellis or sight-proof fence. Sound-proof insulation may be required if the equipment is within 15 feet of a residential unit located on an adjoining property.
Setback from property lines	Rear half of the lot or 50 feet back, whichever is less; at least 3 feet from any property line. Applies: Swimming pools in R districts; 50 feet is measured from the front property line. § 17.44.090 · code text Swimming pools in R districts shall be constructed on the rear one-half of the lot or 50 feet from the front property line, whichever is less; in no event shall a pool be located closer than three feet to any property line; and At least 3 feet from any lot line. Applies: Applies to filter and heating systems for any pool. § 17.44.090 · code text Filter and heating systems for any pools shall not be located closer than three feet from any lot line and shall be fully enclosed with a wall, trellis or sight-proof fence.

Pets, chickens and bees

Rio Vista code What Rio Vista's code adds
Pet limit	No more than 3 dogs. Applies: At any residence; licensed kennels are excepted. § 6.08.110 · code text it is unlawful for any person to keep, board, or harbor more than three dogs at any place of residence or on any commercial or industrial premises within the city limits No more than 3 cats. Applies: At any residence; licensed catteries are excepted. § 6.08.110 · code text it is unlawful for any person to keep, board, or harbor more than three cats at any place of residence or on any commercial or industrial premises within the city limits Puppies and kittens may stay until 4 months old; then the number limits apply. Applies: Applies to offspring of a legally kept female dog or cat. § 6.08.110 · code text The offspring of any female dog or female cat present at any premises within the city at which the female dog or female cat is legally kept may be kept at those premises from time of birth until such offspring reach four months of age

Other Rio Vista rules on this

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

No unhitched trailers on residential streets (§ 10.12.200) — on public streets

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Rio Vista?

Fences are limited to 7 feet in interior side or rear yards, and 3 feet in sight triangles of front or corner street-side yards.

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

A home business may use at most 25% of the home, main building only, with no non-resident employees unless a use permit is approved.

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

Rio Vista's code: All needed permits are issued when the application meets the city's adopted checklist and health and safety laws. (Applies to EV charging stations.) (§ 15.06.070); The permit is issued the same day. (Over-the-counter applications for small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 15.14.060).

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

Rio Vista's code: A permanent fence must fully enclose the pool. (Applies to pools, ponds or open tanks deeper than 18 inches.) (§ 17.44.090); At least 5 feet high. (Permanent fence around pools, ponds or open tanks deeper than 18 inches.) (§ 17.44.090).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Rio Vista?

Rio Vista's code: No more than 3 dogs. (At any residence; licensed kennels are excepted.) (§ 6.08.110); No more than 3 cats. (At any residence; licensed catteries are excepted.) (§ 6.08.110).

General information, not legal advice.

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Rio Vista Municipal Code — full text

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Buying & selling in Rio Vista

Rio Vista overview