Solvang · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Solvang

Solvang sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Taller fences need a conditional use permit, and accessory setbacks depend on structure height.

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Key points

Fence height: Solvang limits fences and walls in required yards to 6 feet and gateposts to 8 feet; taller ones need a conditional use permit.
Accessory structures: In residential zones, Solvang limits accessory structures to 24 feet or the zone's height limit, whichever is less, and 40% of the rear-yard setback.
Home businesses: Solvang limits a home business to 25% of the home or 500 square feet, whichever is less, and 1 on-site employee besides residents.

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

Fences and walls

Solvang code What Solvang's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot	Fences and walls can be up to 6 feet tall without a conditional use permit. Applies: Any required front, side or rear yard, all zones; corner lots must meet vision clearance rules; taller needs a conditional use permit. § 11-11-4 · code text In all zones, fences and walls of six feet or less and gateposts of eight feet or less in height are not considered structures, Gateposts can be up to 8 feet tall without a conditional use permit. Applies: Any required front, side or rear yard, all zones; taller needs a conditional use permit. § 11-11-4 · code text In all zones, fences and walls of six feet or less and gateposts of eight feet or less in height are not considered structures,
Permit	No conditional use permit is needed for fences up to 6 feet or gateposts up to 8 feet. Applies: All zones. Up to 10% of a fence length may exceed 6 feet where slope or other unavoidable conditions would ruin its design. § 11-11-4 · code text A maximum of 10% of the total linear length of a wall or fence may be allowed to exceed six feet in height without requiring a conditional use permit, where topographic or other unavoidable conditions will destroy its architectural integrity if held to six feet in height for its entire length. A conditional use permit is required. Applies: Fences and walls over 6 feet, or gateposts over 8 feet, in the required front, side or rear yard. § 11-11-4 · code text In all zones, fences and walls of more than six feet and gateposts of more than eight feet in height may be permitted in the required front, side or rear yard only under a conditional use permit as provided in section 11-16-6 of this zoning code.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Solvang code What Solvang's code adds
Maximum height	At most 24 feet tall or the zone's height limit, whichever is less. Applies: Accessory structures in residential zones. § 11-12-3 · code text Accessory structures shall not exceed 24 feet in height or the height requirement of the zone, whichever is less.
Size or lot coverage	Together they can cover at most 40% of the required rear-yard setback. Applies: All accessory structures in the rear yard, residential zones. § 11-12-3 · code text All accessory structures in the rear yard shall collectively occupy no more than 40% of the required rear-yard setback. At most 200 square feet in total in each side yard. Applies: All accessory structures in a side yard, residential zones. § 11-12-3 · code text The cumulative total square footage of all accessory structures in the side yard shall not exceed 200 square feet in each side yard.
Side and rear setback	No minimum distance from the property line. Applies: Structures 9 feet tall or less in side or rear setbacks; eaves and trim cannot cross the line or send water across it. § 11-12-3 · code text 9 feet or less \| No minimum distance, provided any ornamental features, including, but not limited to, sills, buttresses, cornices, and eaves, shall not extend over the property line or cause water to flow across the property line At least 5 feet from the property line. Applies: Structures over 9 feet and up to 12 feet tall in side or rear setbacks, residential zones. § 11-12-3 · code text Greater than 9 feet but not greater than 12 feet \| 5 feet At least 10 feet from the property line. Applies: Structures over 12 feet tall in side or rear setbacks, residential zones. § 11-12-3 · code text Greater than 12 feet \| 10 feet

Running a business from home

Solvang code What Solvang's code adds
Space used	No more than 25% of the home's floor area or 500 square feet, whichever is less. § 11-12-11 · code text No home occupation activity shall occupy more than 25% of the total floor area of the dwelling, or a maximum of 500 square feet, whichever is less.
Customer visits	1 student at a time and no more than 3 classes per day. Applies: Music, dance, physical and educational lessons inside the home, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. § 11-12-11 · code text Music, dance, physical and educational instruction limited to one student at a time and no more than three classes per day between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. conducted within the residence (i.e., not within a garage, accessory structure or outdoors). Customers do not visit the home. Applies: Repair of small non-hazardous items for mobile businesses. § 11-12-11 · code text Repair of small non-hazardous items (i.e., sewing, jewelry, clocks, computer repair, etc.) for mobile businesses where customers do not visit the dwelling.
Employees	At most 1 employee on site. Applies: In addition to the full-time residents of the home. § 11-12-11 · code text A home occupation may have a maximum of one employee on site in addition to the full-time residents of the dwelling.
Permit	A Home Occupation Permit and a Business Certificate are required. § 11-12-11 · code text In conjunction with the home occupation permit, the applicant shall obtain and maintain a Business Certificate in compliance with Title 3 of the Solvang Municipal Code.
Businesses not allowed	On-site sales of products or services, unless this section allows them; automotive and other vehicle repair and services, detailing, painting, storage, or upholstery; welding and machine shop operations, and carpenter, wood working or cabinet making, except on properties larger than 20,000 square feet; personal services and personal services, restricted; uses that require explosives, highly combustible materials, or toxic materials; wood cutting businesses; medical and dental offices; veterinary clinics, animal hospitals and animal boarding; construction contractor facilities and/or outside storage (an office-only use is allowed); adult-oriented businesses; and other uses the Community Development Director finds similar or not compatible with residential uses § 11-12-11 · code text The following uses shall be prohibited:

Solar panels and EV chargers

Solvang code What Solvang's code adds
EV charger permit	Administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review; apply by email, internet or fax; electronic signatures accepted. Applies: EV charging stations. § 10-4-2 · code text An applicant may submit the permit application and related documentation for an electric vehicle charging station by electronic submittal, including all required permit processing and inspection fees, as specified on the city of Solvang website. Electronic signatures shall be accepted on all electronic submittals in lieu of a wet signature.
Solar height and setbacks	The panel or module array may not exceed the city's maximum legal building height. Applies: To qualify as a small residential rooftop solar system for expedited permitting. § 11-12-22 · code text A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the city.
Solar permit process	Expedited administrative, nondiscretionary review; permit same day over the counter, or 1 to 3 business days electronically. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems with a complete application; electronic submittal, electronic signatures and fees accepted. § 11-12-22 · code text The building department shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit (the same day for over the counter applications or within one to three business days for electronic applications of receipt of a complete application)

Swimming pools

Solvang code What Solvang's code adds
Setback from property lines	At least 5 feet. Applies: Pools, spas and related structures, from property lines with no required rear or side setback; not allowed in required front or side setbacks. § 11-12-24 · code text Pools, spas and appurtenant structures shall not be located in the required front or side yard setback area and shall not be closer than five feet of any other property line where there is no rear or side setback required.

Other Solvang rules on this

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

Animals allowed at home (§ 11-12-5)
Keeping chickens, rabbits and other fowl (§ 6-1-2)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Solvang?

Solvang limits fences and walls in required yards to 6 feet and gateposts to 8 feet; taller ones need a conditional use permit.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Solvang?

In residential zones, Solvang limits accessory structures to 24 feet or the zone's height limit, whichever is less, and 40% of the rear-yard setback.

Can I run a business from my home in Solvang?

Solvang limits a home business to 25% of the home or 500 square feet, whichever is less, and 1 on-site employee besides residents.

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

Solvang's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review; apply by email, internet or fax; electronic signatures accepted. (EV charging stations.) (§ 10-4-2); The panel or module array may not exceed the city's maximum legal building height. (To qualify as a small residential rooftop solar system for expedited permitting.) (§ 11-12-22).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Solvang?

Solvang's code: At least 5 feet. (Pools, spas and related structures, from property lines with no required rear or side setback; not allowed in required front or side setbacks.) (§ 11-12-24).

General information, not legal advice.

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More on Solvang

Solvang Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Solvang

Buying & selling in Solvang

Solvang overview