Turlock · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Turlock

Turlock sets its own limits on accessory structures and home businesses. Accessory setbacks depend on height and zone, and some businesses, such as vehicle sales or repair and music or dance schools, may not run from a home.

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Key points

Accessory buildings: In A and R districts, Turlock limits accessory buildings to 15 feet, and detached ones over 7 feet to 1,000 square feet combined.
Home businesses: Turlock limits a home business to 400 square feet, 2 customers at a time and 6 a day, with residents only working on site.

Each rule below is marked Turlock 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

Turlock code What Turlock's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet overall, measured from the lower of existing or finished grade. Applies: Accessory buildings or structures in agricultural (A) and residential (R) districts. § 9-2-101 · code text The height of an accessory building or structure may not exceed fifteen (15') feet in overall height measured from the existing or finished grade, whichever is lower, to the highest portion of the structure.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 1,000 square feet combined. Applies: All detached accessory structures over 7 feet tall, in agricultural (A) and residential (R) districts. § 9-2-101 · code text The combined maximum square footage of all detached accessory structures exceeding seven (7') feet in height shall not exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet. No more than 25 square feet in total. Applies: All entry features allowed in the front yard setback. § 9-2-101 · code text The total of all entry features does not cover more than twenty-five (25) square feet in area.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from the rear and interior side property lines. Applies: Detached accessory structures over 7 feet tall in A and R districts, except the R-E district. § 9-2-101 · code text 1. Rear yard: five (5') feet from the property line. 2. Interior side yard: five (5') feet from the property line. At least 10 feet from the rear and interior side property lines. Applies: Detached accessory structures over 7 feet tall in the residential estate (R-E) district. § 9-2-101 · code text 1. Rear yard: ten (10') feet from the property line. 2. Interior side yard: ten (10') feet from the property line. 0 feet, for no more than 1/3 of the parcel width. Applies: Rear yard of a detached accessory structure over 7 feet tall next to a 20-foot public alley. § 9-2-101 · code text When a detached accessory structure taller than seven (7') feet abuts a twenty (20') foot public alley, the rear yard may be reduced to zero (0') feet for a length not to exceed one-third (1/3) of the width of the parcel.
No permit needed up to	Under 120 square feet. Applies: A building permit is required for accessory buildings and structures of 120 square feet or more. § 9-2-101 · code text A building permit from the Turlock Building and Safety Division is required for all accessory buildings and structures that are one hundred twenty (120) square feet in size or larger.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from any home or the main building to count as detached. Applies: A closer structure is treated as attached and must meet the main building's standards. § 9-2-101 · code text An accessory building or structure is defined as "detached" when any portion of the accessory building or structure is located a minimum of six (6') feet from any dwelling unit or the main building on the same lot.

Running a business from home

Turlock code What Turlock's code adds
Space used	No more than 400 square feet in any case. § 9-5-210 · code text The floor area used for such occupation or profession shall not exceed four hundred (400) square feet in any case.
Customer visits	No more than 2 customers at a time. § 9-5-210 · code text The proposed home occupation business shall be limited to no more than two (2) customers at a time and no more than six (6) customers per day, arriving no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and leaving no later than 7:00 p.m. No more than 6 customers per day. Applies: Customers arrive no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and leave no later than 7:00 p.m. § 9-5-210 · code text The proposed home occupation business shall be limited to no more than two (2) customers at a time and no more than six (6) customers per day, arriving no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and leaving no later than 7:00 p.m.
Employees	Only residents of the premises may run the business. Applies: Outside workers may work only away from the premises; their vehicles may not park in the neighborhood. § 9-5-210 · code text Such occupation or profession shall be conducted by the residents of the premises.
Permit	Yes. A home occupation permit is required. § 9-5-210 · code text No home occupation permit shall be issued unless the use applied for meets the following standards and conditions:
Businesses not allowed	retail sales (except goods produced on the premises); music, dancing, business or other schools with organized classes; retail motor vehicle sales or repair; similar activities Applies: Commercial photograph studios, beauty parlors and barber shops are not allowed unless they comply with all TMC 9-5-210 conditions § 9-5-211 · code text A home occupation permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this article shall not include commercial photograph studios, beauty parlors, barber shops, or any similar service enterprises, that do not comply with the provisions of TMC 9-5-210 (Home occupation permits: Conditions: Issuance). Retail sales (except for goods produced on the premises), music schools, dancing schools, business schools, or other schools of any kind with organized classes, retail motor vehicle sales or repair, or any similar activities are prohibited.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Turlock code What Turlock's code adds
EV charger permit	Permits issue when the application meets the City checklist; electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted. Applies: EV charging stations; the charger may not be turned on until approval is granted. § 8-12-04 · code text Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentations.
Solar permit process	Apply in person, by mail or electronically, with any required fees; electronic signatures may replace a wet signature. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems. § 8-7-03 · code text The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the City's Building Division by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees.

Pets, chickens and bees

Turlock code What Turlock's code adds
Chickens	Yes, up to 6 domesticated fowl; no roosters. Applies: At any residence. § 6-1-105.1 · code text Six (6) domesticated fowl;
Coop setback	At least 20 feet from the rear property line. Applies: Applies to pens or other quarters for animals or fowl. § 6-1-105.1 · code text Pens or other quarters for animals or fowl shall be kept or maintained only at a distance of twenty feet (20') from the rear property line and twenty-five feet (25') from the side property line. At least 25 feet from the side property line. Applies: Applies to pens or other quarters for animals or fowl. § 6-1-105.1 · code text Pens or other quarters for animals or fowl shall be kept or maintained only at a distance of twenty feet (20') from the rear property line and twenty-five feet (25') from the side property line.
Large animals	1 horse, or 1 cow, or 1 sheep, or 1 goat. Applies: Applies to parcels of 1/2 acre or larger. § 6-1-105.1 · code text On parcels of land one-half (1/2) acre or larger, one (1) horse, or one (1) cow, or one (1) sheep, or one (1) goat.
Permit	A Breeder Certificate from Animal Services and Control is required. Applies: Applies to breeding any dog or cat kept in the city. § 6-1-105 · code text No person shall cause or allow any dog or cat owned, harbored, or kept within the City of Turlock to breed without first obtaining a Breeder Certificate from Animal Services and Control.
Pet limit	No more than 3 dogs over 4 months old and 3 cats over 6 weeks old per home. Applies: Unless a kennel permit has been obtained. § 6-1-105 · code text Unless a permit has been obtained to operate a kennel, it shall be unlawful to own or keep at any dwelling more than three (3) dogs older than four (4) months and more than three (3) cats older than six (6) weeks.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

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

In A and R districts, Turlock limits accessory buildings to 15 feet, and detached ones over 7 feet to 1,000 square feet combined.

Can I run a business from my home in Turlock?

Turlock limits a home business to 400 square feet, 2 customers at a time and 6 a day, with residents only working on site.

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

Turlock's code: Permits issue when the application meets the City checklist; electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted. (EV charging stations; the charger may not be turned on until approval is granted.) (§ 8-12-04); Apply in person, by mail or electronically, with any required fees; electronic signatures may replace a wet signature. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 8-7-03).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Turlock?

Turlock's code: Yes, up to 6 domesticated fowl; no roosters. (At any residence.) (§ 6-1-105.1); At least 20 feet from the rear property line. (Applies to pens or other quarters for animals or fowl.) (§ 6-1-105.1).

General information, not legal advice.

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