Building on your lot in South Lake Tahoe

Each rule below is marked South Lake Tahoe 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

South Lake Tahoe code What South Lake Tahoe's code adds
Side and rear setback	Can be placed 3 feet from side or rear property lines. Applies: Sheds under 115 square feet and no more than 1 story tall. § 6.55.170 · code text An accessory building (shed) of less than 115 square feet and not over one story in height may be placed three feet from the side or rear property lines.

Running a business from home

South Lake Tahoe code What South Lake Tahoe's code adds
Space used	No more than 20% of the home, or 350 square feet at most. Applies: The home, including the garage. § 6.55.280 · code text That not more than 20 percent or a maximum of 350 square feet of the dwelling, including the garage, shall be devoted to such purposes.
Customer visits	No customers or clients may come to the home for the business. Applies: Home businesses in general. § 6.55.280 · code text That no customers/clients shall come to the residence in conjunction with this business;
Employees	Up to 1 employee is allowed. Applies: Only with a conditional use permit approved first; otherwise only a resident may run the business. § 6.55.280 · code text That such occupations shall be conducted solely by a resident occupant in his/her residence or, that such occupation shall permit one employee, provided a conditional use permit is authorized prior to the use with specific conditions (paved parking, etc.);
Permit	Both a city business license and a home occupation permit are required. Applies: Home businesses in general. § 6.55.280 · code text Applicants receiving approval from the planning division must acquire both a city business license and a home occupation permit prior to doing business. No home occupation permit is needed. Applies: Home office work when the main workplace is elsewhere, with no outside activity or storage at the home, and all listed criteria are met. § 6.55.280 · code text Office and office services conducted within the home, excluding those expressly forbidden in SLTCC § 6.55.290, shall be allowed without the provision that they acquire a home occupation permit provided that all of the following conditions are met: A special use permit after a public hearing is required. Applies: Only for the listed offices and schools that are otherwise banned, in plan areas that allow multiple-family homes. § 6.55.290 · code text In plan areas which permit multiple-family dwellings, the above listed home occupations may be allowed upon the granting of a special use permit following a public hearing.
Businesses not allowed	offices for a doctor, physician, surgeon, lawyer, dentist, therapist, commercial photo studio, beauty parlor/salon, barber shop, real estate business, dance school, business school, school of any kind with organized classes or similar activity, and firewood storage yards for resale purposes Applies: Any residential plan area; in plan areas which permit multiple-family dwellings they may be allowed with a special use permit after a public hearing § 6.55.290 · code text In any residential plan area, offices for a doctor, physician, surgeon, lawyer, dentist, therapist, commercial photo studio, beauty parlor/salon, barber shop, real estate business, dance school, business school or school of any kind with organized classes or similar activity, and firewood storage yards for resale purposes, are not considered to be home occupations and therefore not allowed.

Other South Lake Tahoe rules on this

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

Fencing for livestock and fowl kept at home (§ 4.05.650)
Use permit to keep a horse (§ 6.55.340)
Living in a park model RV tiny home (§ 6.85.060)
Permit to cut down a tree (§ 6.50.020)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in South Lake Tahoe?

South Lake Tahoe sets a 3-foot rule for sheds under 115 square feet and not over 1 story (city rule).

Can I run a business from my home in South Lake Tahoe?

A home business may use at most 20% of the home or 350 sq ft, with no customers; it needs a license and permit.