San Juan Bautista · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in San Juan Bautista

San Juan Bautista sets its own limits on fences, accessory buildings and home businesses. Many home business uses, such as client visits or use of an accessory structure, need a conditional use permit.

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Key points

Fence height: Fences are limited to 3 feet in the required front yard and 8 feet in required rear or side yards (city rule).
Accessory buildings: A detached garage or accessory building in a rear yard: at most 15 feet and 30% of the rear yard; all together, 40%.
Home businesses: A home business may use at most 200 square feet and have at most 2 off-site workers; more needs a conditional use permit.

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

Fences and walls

San Juan Bautista code What San Juan Bautista's code adds
Corner visibility	At least 20 feet from where the street lines meet, and at least 10 feet from the right-of-way. Applies: Corner lots: fences or hedges over 4 feet above the average crown of the adjacent streets. § 10-1-505 · code text On a corner lot a fence or hedge over four feet (4') in height above the average crown of adjacent streets shall be not less than twenty feet (20') from the point of intersection of the street right-of-way lines, or said lines extended, or less than ten feet (10') from said right-of-way at any point.
Height anywhere on the lot	No more than 6 feet above ground. Applies: In any yard, except where the front yard and corner lot limits apply. § 10-1-505 · code text If not exceeding at any point six feet (6') in height above the elevation of the surface of the ground at such point, such may be located in any yard or court, except as hereinafter specified.
Front yard height	May not block visibility above 3 feet. Applies: Fences, walls or hedges in the required front yard. § 10-1-505 · code text Where such fence, wall, or hedge is located within the required front yard, it shall not obscure visibility above a height of three feet (3') above the elevation of the surface of the ground.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 8 feet above ground. Applies: Required rear or side yards. Corner lots backing onto another R lot's side line need extra side street distance within 25 feet. § 10-1-505 · code text If not exceeding at any point eight feet (8') in height above the elevation of the surface of the ground at such point, they may be located in any required rear yard or side yard, provided that on a corner lot, abutting in the rear the side lot line of another lot in an R District, no such fence, wall, or hedge within twenty-five feet (25') of the common lot line shall be closer to the side street lot line than one-half (1/2) the least depth of the front yard required on such other lot fronting the side street.
Permit	Yes. A permit is required. Applies: Hedges, shrubs, other plantings, fences or similar structures in a street. § 7-8-630 · code text No hedge, shrub, or other planting whatsoever, fence or similar structure shall be planted, erected, or maintained in a street without a permit.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

San Juan Bautista code What San Juan Bautista's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet high. Applies: Detached garages or accessory buildings in a rear yard. § 11-04-060 · code text a detached garage or accessory building not exceeding fifteen feet (15′) in height may occupy not more than thirty percent (30%), or collective accessory buildings not more than forty percent (40%), of the area of a rear yard.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 30% of the rear yard area. Applies: One detached garage or accessory building in a rear yard. § 11-04-060 · code text a detached garage or accessory building not exceeding fifteen feet (15′) in height may occupy not more than thirty percent (30%), or collective accessory buildings not more than forty percent (40%), of the area of a rear yard. No more than 40% of the rear yard area. Applies: All accessory buildings in a rear yard together. § 11-04-060 · code text a detached garage or accessory building not exceeding fifteen feet (15′) in height may occupy not more than thirty percent (30%), or collective accessory buildings not more than forty percent (40%), of the area of a rear yard.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from any property line. Applies: Garages, carports or other accessory buildings that do not share a wall with the main building. § 11-04-060 · code text A garage, carport or other accessory building not having a common wall with the main building shall not be placed closer than five feet (5′) from the main building and any property line.
Distance from the house	At least 5 feet from the main building. Applies: Garages, carports or other accessory buildings that do not share a wall with the main building. § 11-04-060 · code text A garage, carport or other accessory building not having a common wall with the main building shall not be placed closer than five feet (5′) from the main building and any property line.

Running a business from home

San Juan Bautista code What San Juan Bautista's code adds
Space used	Up to 200 square feet. Applies: Using more than 200 square feet requires a conditional use permit. § 11-07-060 · code text Use exceeding two hundred (200) square feet;
Customer visits	2 clients or patients at a time. Applies: Home visits by clients or patients, only with a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission. § 11-07-060 · code text One (1) chair barber shop or beauty salon, home visits for two (2) clients or patients at a time, direct product distribution, pet grooming or any other use or occupation which the City Planner determines is similar in nature to the previously listed uses;
Employees	Up to 2 people on site who live elsewhere. Applies: More than 2 requires a conditional use permit. § 11-07-060 · code text Use employing more than two (2) persons on site that reside off site;
Permit	A conditional use permit is required. Applies: Using an accessory structure. § 11-07-060 · code text Use of an accessory structure; A conditional use permit is required. Applies: Woodworking with machinery. § 11-07-060 · code text Woodworking with machinery; A conditional use permit is required. Applies: One-chair barber shop or beauty salon, visits by 2 clients or patients at a time, direct product distribution, pet grooming or similar uses. § 11-07-060 · code text One (1) chair barber shop or beauty salon, home visits for two (2) clients or patients at a time, direct product distribution, pet grooming or any other use or occupation which the City Planner determines is similar in nature to the previously listed uses; A conditional use permit is required. Applies: Food handling, processing, packaging, catering or similar uses in a detached accessory structure with a commercial kitchen meeting Health Code standards. § 11-07-060 · code text Food handling, processing, food packaging, catering or any other use or occupation where the operation is located in a detached accessory structure with a commercial kitchen that meets Health Code standards which the City Planner determines is similar in nature to the previously listed uses; A conditional use permit is required. Applies: More than 2 home businesses in one dwelling unit. § 11-07-060 · code text Having more than two (2) home occupations in a dwelling unit;
Businesses not allowed	Adult businesses; animal hospitals or the harboring, raising, training, or treatment of animals or birds for commercial purposes; gun or ammunition sales; medical and dental offices, clinics, and laboratories (except chiropractors and counselors/psychotherapists); massage; healing arts; mini storage; print shop or photo shop; sale of products except artist’s originals or products individually made-to-order on the premises; storage and delivery of materials and other accessories for construction and service trades; vehicle repair, upholstery, automobile detailing and painting, and display and sale of any vehicle; welding or fabrication shops, repair, fix-it or plumbing; transportation, shuttle, limousine, bus, or tour bus services except office use § 11-07-050 · code text The following are examples of uses that are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities, and are therefore prohibited as home occupations:

RV and boat parking

San Juan Bautista code What San Juan Bautista's code adds
Where it may be parked	At the rear or side of the home. Applies: Applies to 1 boat, 30 feet or less long, at a home that is not a duplex, apartment, motel or hotel. § 7-4-130 · code text one (1) boat, thirty feet (30′) or less in length, may be parked, stored, left, kept or maintained in the rear or to the side of any residential unit, other than a duplex, apartment, motel or hotel Completely inside a garage that belongs to the home. Applies: Applies to 1 boat at a home that is not a duplex, apartment, motel or hotel. § 7-4-130 · code text This Section shall not be construed to prohibit parking, storing, leaving, keeping or maintaining of one (1) boat completely within any garage appurtenant to any residential unit, other than a duplex, apartment, motel or hotel At least 18 inches from any property line and at least 3 feet from any occupied building. Applies: Applies to boats without an enclosed cabin. The 3 feet also applies to buildings attached to an occupied building. § 7-4-130 · code text If such boat does not have an enclosed cabin, it is located at least eighteen inches (18″) from any property line, at least three feet (3’) from any building used for human occupancy and at least three feet (3’) from any building attached to a building used for human occupancy At least 4 feet from any property line and at least 5 feet from any occupied building. Applies: Applies to boats with an enclosed cabin. The 5 feet also applies to buildings attached to an occupied building. § 7-4-130 · code text If such boat has an enclosed cabin, it is located at least four feet (4′) from any property line, at least five feet (5′) from any building used for human occupancy and at least five feet (5′) from any building attached to a building used for human occupancy.
Front-yard parking	A boat may be parked temporarily in the driveway for no more than 7 days. Applies: Applies to boats 30 feet or less long at a home that is not a duplex, apartment, motel or hotel. § 7-4-130 · code text nor to prohibit the temporary parking, storing, leaving, keeping or maintaining, for a period not in excess of seven (7) days, any boat thirty feet (30′) or less in length in the driveway of any residential unit, other than a duplex, apartment, motel or hotel.
Size limit	Only 1 boat, 30 feet or less long, may be kept at the rear or side of a home. Applies: Applies to homes that are not a duplex, apartment, motel or hotel. § 7-4-130 · code text one (1) boat, thirty feet (30′) or less in length, may be parked, stored, left, kept or maintained in the rear or to the side of any residential unit, other than a duplex, apartment, motel or hotel

Pets, chickens and bees

San Juan Bautista code What San Juan Bautista's code adds
Chickens	Yes, no more than 6 live poultry over 4 months old. Applies: Applies in residential zones. Poultry, rabbits and small fur-bearing animals count together. None within 50 feet of any residence. § 5-7-130 · code text No person shall keep more than six (6) live poultry, rabbits, or other small fur-bearing animals over four (4) months of age on any premises which are in a residential zone.
Coop setback	At least 5 feet from all side and rear property lines. Applies: Applies to poultry and rabbits. Not required next to an alley or behind a solid fence, building side or wall at least 5 feet tall. § 5-7-130 · code text All poultry and rabbits shall be kept, harbored and maintained not less than five feet (5’) from all lateral and rear property lines, unless there is a solid fence, solid side of a building or wall not less than five feet (5’) in height between such poultry or rabbits and the adjoining property; except, that where the property line abuts upon an alley, the distance requirement may be dispensed with.
Large animals	Sheep, goats, horses, cows and other large animals are allowed only on unimproved property 1 acre in size. Applies: Applies within the City, to 1 or more such animals. § 5-7-140 · code text No person shall keep one (1) or more sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, mules, ponies, cows or other large animals within the City unless they are kept on unimproved property one (1) acre in size. Not allowed within 100 feet of any residence. Applies: Applies to sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, mules, ponies, cows or other large animals. § 5-7-140 · code text None of the animals specified in this Section shall be allowed within one hundred feet (100′) of any residence.
Permit	The limits do not apply to animals in a fully enclosed, screened building approved by the building inspector. Applies: Applies to poultry, rabbits or small fur-bearing animals kept in such a building. § 5-7-130 · code text This Section shall not apply to poultry, rabbits or small fur-bearing animals which are in a building approved by the building inspector which is completely enclosed and screened, so that no odor or fly nuisance exists, with the animal or poultry having no access to open area; and provided, that such use is not expressly prohibited under other law.
Pet limit	No more than 3 cats over 4 months old. Applies: Applies to any premises within the City. § 5-7-130 · code text No persons shall keep more than three (3) cats of more than four (4) months of age on premises within the City.

Other San Juan Bautista rules on this

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

Fast permits for home rooftop solar (Ch. 10-7)
Fast permits for EV chargers (Ch. 10-8)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in San Juan Bautista?

Fences are limited to 3 feet in the required front yard and 8 feet in required rear or side yards (city rule).

How big can a shed or accessory building be in San Juan Bautista?

A detached garage or accessory building in a rear yard: at most 15 feet and 30% of the rear yard; all together, 40%.

Can I run a business from my home in San Juan Bautista?

A home business may use at most 200 square feet and have at most 2 off-site workers; more needs a conditional use permit.

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in San Juan Bautista?

San Juan Bautista's code: At the rear or side of the home. (Applies to 1 boat, 30 feet or less long, at a home that is not a duplex, apartment, motel or hotel.) (§ 7-4-130); Completely inside a garage that belongs to the home. (Applies to 1 boat at a home that is not a duplex, apartment, motel or hotel.) (§ 7-4-130).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in San Juan Bautista?

San Juan Bautista's code: Yes, no more than 6 live poultry over 4 months old. (Applies in residential zones. Poultry, rabbits and small fur-bearing animals count together. None within 50 feet of any residence.) (§ 5-7-130); At least 5 feet from all side and rear property lines. (Applies to poultry and rabbits. Not required next to an alley or behind a solid fence, building side or wall at least 5 feet tall.) (§ 5-7-130).

General information, not legal advice.

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