Santa Paula · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Santa Paula

Santa Paula sets its own rules for accessory buildings and home businesses, and has a separate chapter on fences, walls and hedges. A home business needs a home occupation permit, and the city lists businesses that may not run from a home.

Ask about building on your lot in Santa Paula See coverage

Key points

Home businesses: A home business may use 25% of the home up to 500 square feet, with up to 4 customers daily and 1 nonresident worker.
Rear-yard sheds: A single-story non-habitable accessory building in a residential rear yard needs a 3-foot setback, unless it meets the opening and drainage exception.
Fences: The city has a separate chapter on fences, walls and hedges.

Each rule below is marked Santa Paula 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

Santa Paula code A single-story non-habitable accessory building in a residential rear yard needs a 3-foot setback, unless it meets the opening and drainage exception.

All 4 Santa Paula rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

Santa Paula code A home business may use 25% of the home up to 500 square feet, with up to 4 customers daily and 1 nonresident worker.

All 6 Santa Paula rules on running a business from home, with the code text →

RV and boat parking

Santa Paula code In side and rear yards. No more than 48 hours in a front yard, including the driveway.

All 3 Santa Paula rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →

Tree removal

Santa Paula code No replacement or payment when the city directs removal for a public street or safe line-of-sight distance. No replacement or payment when the tree's poor health made removal necessary.

All 7 Santa Paula rules on tree removal, with the code text →

Swimming pools

Santa Paula code No more than 2 inches between the ground and the bottom of the barrier. No more than 4 inches between the ground and the bottom of the barrier.

All 14 Santa Paula rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Santa Paula code At least 400 feet from neighbors' homes, 100 feet from on-site homes, 150 feet from roads and lot lines. Up to 2 poultry.

All 28 Santa Paula rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Santa Paula code What Santa Paula's code adds
Floodplain permit	A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. Applies: Special flood hazard areas mapped under the city's flood rules. § 151.45 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazards established in § 151.07.
Building in a floodway	Fill, new building, substantial improvements and other encroachments are banned unless a registered engineer or architect certifies no flood-level rise. Applies: Designated floodways. § 151.25 · code text Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development unless certification by a registered professional engineer or architect is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor	Lowest floor, including the basement, at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved structures, including homes, in special flood hazard areas other than the AO Zone. § 151.20 · code text New construction and substantial improvement of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation. At least the FIRM depth number, in feet, above highest adjacent grade; at least 2 feet if no number. Applies: New or substantially improved structures, including homes, in the AO Zone; the lowest floor includes the basement. § 151.20 · code text New construction and substantial improvement of any structure in the AO Zone shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated above the highest adjacent grade at least as high as the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or at least two feet if no depth number is specified.

Grading and erosion control

Santa Paula code No steeper than 2:1. Excavation that is 50 cubic yards or less, or less than two feet deep, or does not create a cut slope that is both more than five feet high and steeper than 2:1; fill less than one foot deep on natural ground flatter than 5:1, or fill less than three feet deep not intended to support structures, of 50 cubic yards or less on any one lot

All 3 Santa Paula rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →

Building on a hillside

Santa Paula code What Santa Paula's code adds
Grading and retaining walls	Grading is banned. Applies: Slopes of 30% or more, except as the City Engineer or Building Official finds necessary. § 16.98.020 · code text Grading on slopes of 30% or greater is prohibited, except as necessary as determined by the City Engineer or Building Official. Limited to a driveway, the home's footprint, a 7-foot walkway around the house and a 300-square-foot patio. Applies: Grading in hillside areas. § 16.98.020 · code text Grading in the hillside areas shall be limited to that necessary to construct a driveway to serve the dwelling, the footprint of the dwelling, a walkway around the house seven feet in width, and a patio area of 300 square feet.

Noise and construction hours

Santa Paula code 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

All 5 Santa Paula rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →

Outdoor lighting

Santa Paula code What Santa Paula's code adds
Shielding	Lights must aim down and be shielded from neighbors, public rights-of-way, and driveways where they would block drivers' view. § 16.42.050 · code text All lights must be directed downwards, oriented and shielded to prevent light from shining onto adjacent properties, onto public rights-of-way, and into driveway areas in a manner that would obstruct drivers' vision.

Garage and yard sales

Santa Paula code Daylight hours only. At most 2 weekends in a row or 72 hours, whichever is shorter.

All 4 Santa Paula rules on garage and yard sales, with the code text →

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
Zoning	A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)
Business license or fee	A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)
Local rules	Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)
Small home	Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)
Large home	7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)

Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)

Santa Paula code Plan area projects are not subject to the inclusionary housing requirements. The fee follows a project-by-project method set by City Council resolution.

All 6 Santa Paula rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →

Parking spaces required for homes

Santa Paula code No more than 50% of a front yard may be covered with non-pervious surface (paving). One detached garage.

All 5 Santa Paula rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Santa Paula code An audible alarm must shut off within 10 minutes after it begins sounding. A fee may be imposed.

All 6 Santa Paula rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Signs on homes

Santa Paula code What Santa Paula's code adds
Election and other noncommercial signs	One temporary freestanding campaign sign for each candidate or issue on each street frontage per lot. Applies: Residential zones. § 16.48.550 · code text In addition, one temporary freestanding campaign sign is allowed for each political candidate or issue on each street frontage per lot. 7 days after the election. Applies: Campaign signs in residential zones. § 16.48.550 · code text All campaign signs must be removed within seven days after the election for which they are intended.
Other temporary signs	2 temporary freestanding signs per lot. Applies: Residential zones. § 16.48.550 · code text Two temporary freestanding signs per lot are permitted at all times.

Trash and recycling carts

Santa Paula code What Santa Paula's code adds
When carts must come back	Not later than 8:00 p.m. on the day following the regularly scheduled collection day Applies: the day following the regularly scheduled collection day § 50.020 · code text Solid waste containers must be removed from any location adjacent to a street or right-of-way not later than 8:00 p.m. on the day following the regularly scheduled collection day.
When carts may go to the curb	Not before 7:00 p.m. on the day preceding the regularly scheduled collection day Applies: the day preceding the regularly scheduled collection day § 50.020 · code text It is unlawful for any person to place a container or any bulky goods adjacent to a street or public right-of-way for collection service before 7:00 p.m. on the day preceding the regularly scheduled collection day.
Where carts are kept	Keep containers not visible from the public right-of-way. Applies: Except while a container is placed for curbside collection. § 50.020 · code text Except during the time a container is placed for curbside collection, residential solid waste containers must not be visible from the public right-of-way. Keep containers out of any front yard or side yard visible from a public street. § 50.020 · code text No container or bin may be stored in any front yard or side yard that is visible from a public street.

Historic homes

Santa Paula code What Santa Paula's code adds
Changing a historic home	A public hearing and an alteration permit. § 16.33.060 · code text Public hearings will be required for the review and approval of a permit for alteration, restoration, construction, removal or demolition of or on a designated historic landmark or property within the historic district, unless the Building Official, in accordance with City Council Ordinance No. 816, declares the subject structure unsafe.
Work that needs no review	No public hearing is needed if the Building Official declares the structure unsafe. Applies: Designated historic landmark or property in the historic district. § 16.33.060 · code text Public hearings will be required for the review and approval of a permit for alteration, restoration, construction, removal or demolition of or on a designated historic landmark or property within the historic district, unless the Building Official, in accordance with City Council Ordinance No. 816, declares the subject structure unsafe.

Other Santa Paula rules on this

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

Fences, walls and hedges (Ch. 16.44)
Rooftop solar permit (§ 16.40.160)
Streamlined permit for EV chargers (Ch. 16.77)
Development impact fees (Ch. 160)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Santa Paula?

The city has a separate chapter on fences, walls and hedges. Santa Paula also has a related rule: Fences, walls and hedges (Ch. 16.44).

What are the rules for building in a Santa Paula flood zone?

Santa Paula's code: A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. (Special flood hazard areas mapped under the city's flood rules.) (§ 151.45); Lowest floor, including the basement, at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved structures, including homes, in special flood hazard areas other than the AO Zone.) (§ 151.20).

What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Santa Paula?

Santa Paula's code: Grading is banned. (Slopes of 30% or more, except as the City Engineer or Building Official finds necessary.) (§ 16.98.020); Limited to a driveway, the home's footprint, a 7-foot walkway around the house and a 300-square-foot patio. (Grading in hillside areas.) (§ 16.98.020).

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Santa Paula?

Santa Paula's code: Lights must aim down and be shielded from neighbors, public rights-of-way, and driveways where they would block drivers' view. (§ 16.42.050).

Can I run a family child care home in Santa Paula?

California law sets this for every city, including Santa Paula: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).

What signs may I put up at my home in Santa Paula?

Santa Paula's code: One temporary freestanding campaign sign for each candidate or issue on each street frontage per lot. (Residential zones.) (§ 16.48.550); 7 days after the election. (Campaign signs in residential zones.) (§ 16.48.550).

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Santa Paula?

Santa Paula's code: Not later than 8:00 p.m. on the day following the regularly scheduled collection day (the day following the regularly scheduled collection day) (§ 50.020); Not before 7:00 p.m. on the day preceding the regularly scheduled collection day (the day preceding the regularly scheduled collection day) (§ 50.020).

What rules apply to a historic home in Santa Paula?

Santa Paula's code: A public hearing and an alteration permit. (§ 16.33.060); No public hearing is needed if the Building Official declares the structure unsafe. (Designated historic landmark or property in the historic district.) (§ 16.33.060).

General information, not legal advice.

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Santa Paula overview

Zoning districts in Santa Paula

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