Santa Rosa · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. A fence over 7 feet needs a Building Permit, and home businesses that do not meet the exempt standards need a Director Conditional Use Permit.

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Key points

Fence height: Single family fences: at most 36 inches in the front setback; 6 feet plus 2 feet of lattice in side or rear setbacks.
Accessory structures: In residential zones, accessory structures are limited to 16 feet and 1 story; guest houses also to 400 square feet (city rule).
Home businesses: An exempt home business may use at most 25% of the main home, with no employees other than residents (city rule).

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

Fences and walls

Santa Rosa code What Santa Rosa's code adds
Corner visibility	No fence is allowed in a vision triangle, except as the vision triangle rules allow. Applies: For single-family homes in a residential zoning district. § 20-30.060 · code text Within a vision triangle (see Section 20-30.070.E) \| No fence allowed, except as provided by Section 20-30.070.E (Vision Triangles).
Height anywhere on the lot	At most 6 feet tall. Applies: For single-family homes, outside a required setback. § 20-30.060 · code text Outside of a required setback \| 6 feet (2) A 6-foot fence with 2 feet of lattice is allowed by right. Applies: For single-family homes, in an interior side or rear setback, outside the front or street-side setback. Over 7 feet needs a Building Permit. § 20-30.060 · code text A six-foot fence with two feet of lattice is allowed by right in an interior side or rear yard setback, and outside of a required front or street side setback
Front yard height	At most 36 inches tall. Applies: For single-family homes, in the required front yard setback. § 20-30.060 · code text Within required front yard setback \| 36 inches
Side and rear yard height	At most 6 feet tall. Applies: For single-family homes, in an interior side or rear yard setback. § 20-30.060 · code text Within interior side or rear yard setback \| 6 feet (2)
Permit	A Building Permit is required for any fence over 7 feet tall. § 20-30.060 · code text provided that any fence exceeding seven feet in height requires a Building Permit. A taller fence than the standard limits needs Director Conditional Use Permit approval. Applies: Not allowed in a required vision triangle. § 20-30.060 · code text A fence may be constructed to a height in excess of the limits established by Subsection C with Director Conditional Use Permit approval, except within a required vision triangle (Section 20-30.070E). Design Review approval is required. The standard fence height table does not apply. Applies: For fences of multifamily and non-residential properties in a residential zoning district. § 20-30.060 · code text Multifamily dwelling and non-residential properties will require Design Review approval and are not subject to the height limits shown in Table 3-1.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Santa Rosa code What Santa Rosa's code adds
Maximum height	At most 16 feet and 1 story tall. Applies: For accessory structures in residential zoning districts. § 20-42.030 · code text No accessory structure shall exceed a height of 16 feet and one story. At most 16 feet tall. Applies: For guest houses (detached living space with no kitchen) in residential districts, outside all required setbacks. § 20-42.030 · code text A guest house shall not be located within any required setback area, shall not exceed 400 square feet or a height of 16 feet, and shall not contain kitchen or other cooking facilities. Must be less than 12 feet tall. Applies: For sheds, patio covers or trellises in a side or rear yard setback, subject to Design Review. § 20-42.030 · code text A shed, patio cover, or trellis less than 12 feet in height may be allowed within a side or rear yard setback, subject to Design Review. At most 16 feet tall. Applies: For garages and carports serving any residential use. § 20-42.030 · code text The garage or carport shall not exceed a height of 16 feet.
Size or lot coverage	Roofed accessory structures can cover no more than 50% of the required rear setback. Applies: In residential districts. The Director may allow more if equal open area is provided elsewhere on the site. § 20-42.030 · code text One or more roofed accessory structures shall not occupy more than 50 percent of the required rear setback, provided that the Director may approve additional coverage where a replacement open area equivalent to the additional coverage over 50 percent is substituted elsewhere on the site, provided that: At most 400 square feet. Applies: For guest houses (detached living space with no kitchen) in residential districts, outside all required setbacks. § 20-42.030 · code text A guest house shall not be located within any required setback area, shall not exceed 400 square feet or a height of 16 feet, and shall not contain kitchen or other cooking facilities.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from any property line. Applies: For accessory structures on residential lots 50 feet or more wide. § 20-42.030 · code text An accessory structure on a parcel that is 50 feet or more in width shall not be placed closer than five feet to a property line. At least 3 feet from the property line. Applies: On home or duplex lots under 50 feet wide or 100 feet deep, where it would abut a neighbor's building. Otherwise on the line. § 20-42.030 · code text In these cases, the accessory structure shall be located a minimum of three feet from the property line. No setback. They may be placed anywhere in a rear or side yard setback. Applies: For rain tanks no taller than 8 feet. Taller tanks need Design Review. No tanks in a front yard setback. § 20-42.030 · code text Rain harvesting tanks that do not exceed eight feet in height may be placed within a rear or side yard setback without limitation on location. At least 30 inches from any property line. Applies: For ground-mounted air conditioners, pool pumps and similar equipment 6 feet tall or less in a side or rear setback. § 20-42.030 · code text Not closer than 30 inches to any property line;
Distance from the house	At least 10 feet from the main house on a neighboring lot. Applies: For detached living-space structures in residential districts. Distance to the house on the same lot follows the Uniform Building Code. § 20-42.030 · code text No detached habitable accessory structure shall be closer to the primary structure than permitted by the Uniform Building Code, or closer than 10 feet from a primary structure on an adjoining lot, unless a lesser distance is specifically allowed by other provisions of this Zoning Code.

Running a business from home

Santa Rosa code What Santa Rosa's code adds
Space used	No more than 25% of the floor space of the main home. Applies: For exempt home businesses. § 20-42.070 · code text The home occupation shall occupy no more than 25% of the floor space of the main dwelling.
Customer visits	Customers or clients may not visit the home as a regular business practice. Applies: For exempt home businesses. Tutoring of no more than 2 students at a time is allowed. § 20-42.070 · code text There shall be no employees other than resident of the dwelling, and no customers or clients shall visit the home as a regular business practice (excluding the tutoring of no more than two students at one time);
Employees	No employees other than residents of the home. Applies: For exempt home businesses. § 20-42.070 · code text There shall be no employees other than resident of the dwelling, and no customers or clients shall visit the home as a regular business practice (excluding the tutoring of no more than two students at one time); No more than 2 non-resident employees or independent contractors. Applies: For home businesses that need Director Conditional Use Permit approval. § 20-42.070 · code text The home occupation utilizes the services of no more than two nonresident employees or independent contractors;
Permit	Director Conditional Use Permit approval is required. Applies: For a home business that is not exempt. § 20-42.070 · code text A home occupation shall require Director Conditional Use Permit approval in compliance with this subsection if it not considered exempt. No Director Conditional Use Permit is needed. Applies: Exempt home businesses meeting the standards, such as household equipment only, office adjuncts, tutoring of no more than 2 students, or off-site cottage food sales. § 20-42.070 · code text A home occupation that complies with the following requirements and standards, including a cottage food operation (CFO) for off-site sale, shall not require the approval of a Director Conditional Use Permit: Not treated as a home business. It is exempt from land use requirements. Applies: For a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO). § 20-42.070 · code text E. Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) is not considered a Home Occupation and is exempt from land use requirements as listed in Section 20-21.040, Exemptions from land use requirements.
Businesses not allowed	Animal hospitals; automobile/vehicle repair shops; bee keeping; kennels, including pet day care; pet grooming shops; raising of animals for commercial purposes; weapons or ammunition sales; welding shops; woodworking or metal working shops Applies: home occupations, except welding, woodworking, or metal working shops in the Maker Mixed Use (MMU) zoning district subject to required permits and City Code performance standards § 20-42.070 · code text The following uses and similar activities are prohibited as home occupations, except that welding, woodworking, or metal working shops are allowed within the Maker Mixed Use (MMU) zoning district, subject to required permits and compliance with all City Code performance standards:

Solar panels and EV chargers

Santa Rosa code What Santa Rosa's code adds
EV charger permit	Administrative approval when the application meets the standard plans and checklist. Decided within 3 business days, including resubmittals. Applies: Applies to ministerial electric vehicle charging station applications. § 18-69.060 · code text The ministerial electric vehicle charging station application shall be reviewed and approved or rejected within three business days of application. Resubmittals shall also be reviewed, approved or rejected within three business days and may be subject to additional plan review fees.
Solar permit process	Administrative approval and all required permits when the application meets the standard plans and checklist. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems. § 18-68.060 · code text Upon confirmation by the Building Official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the standard plans and checklist including all health and safety requirements of State and City Code standards, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.
Review time	Approved or rejected within 3 business days of applying. Resubmittals are also decided within 3 business days. Applies: Applies to nondiscretionary applications and resubmittals. § 18-68.060 · code text The nondiscretionary small residential rooftop solar energy system application shall be reviewed and approved or rejected within three business days of application. Resubmittals shall also be reviewed, approved or rejected within three business days and may be subject to additional plan review fees.

Tree removal

Santa Rosa code Trees on developed property in listed residential zones are exempt, except protected or heritage trees. Exempt: trimming branches or roots that interfere with utilities, City infrastructure, streets, sidewalks, drains or sight lines.

All 8 Santa Rosa rules on tree removal, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Pets, chickens and bees

Santa Rosa code What Santa Rosa's code adds
Large animals	Livestock may be kept only where the zoning code expressly allows it. § 7-08.080 · code text No person shall stable, keep, pasture or maintain livestock within the limits of the City, unless expressly allowed to do so by the zoning code.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Santa Rosa?

Single family fences: at most 36 inches in the front setback; 6 feet plus 2 feet of lattice in side or rear setbacks.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Santa Rosa?

In residential zones, accessory structures are limited to 16 feet and 1 story; guest houses also to 400 square feet (city rule).

Can I run a business from my home in Santa Rosa?

An exempt home business may use at most 25% of the main home, with no employees other than residents (city rule).

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Santa Rosa?

Santa Rosa's code: Administrative approval when the application meets the standard plans and checklist. Decided within 3 business days, including resubmittals. (Applies to ministerial electric vehicle charging station applications.) (§ 18-69.060); Administrative approval and all required permits when the application meets the standard plans and checklist. (Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 18-68.060).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Santa Rosa?

Santa Rosa's code: Livestock may be kept only where the zoning code expressly allows it. (§ 7-08.080).

General information, not legal advice.

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