Building on your lot in Willits

Each rule below is marked Willits 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

Willits code What Willits's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 6 feet, 6 inches tall. Applies: Detached accessory structures closer than 3 feet to an interior side or rear property line in a residential district. § 17.56.050 · code text It shall not exceed a maximum overall height of six feet, six inches;
Size or lot coverage	No more than 100 square feet of gross floor area. Applies: Detached accessory structures closer than 3 feet to an interior side or rear property line in a residential district. § 17.56.050 · code text It shall be limited to a maximum gross floor area of one hundred square feet; Accessory structures may cover no more than 30% of the minimum required rear yard. Applies: Applies to the minimum required rear yard area. § 17.56.040 · code text Accessory structures shall not exceed thirty percent of the area of the minimum required rear yard.
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet from any interior lot line. Applies: Detached accessory structures, except storage structures of 100 square feet or less. § 17.56.050 · code text A detached accessory structure, except for accessory storage structures of one hundred square feet or less as specified in G below, shall be located no closer than three feet of any interior lot line.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from any other structure on the lot. Applies: Accessory structures not attached to the main structure. § 17.56.050 · code text Unless an accessory structure is attached to the main structure, it shall be located at least six feet from any structure on the same lot.

Running a business from home

Willits code What Willits's code adds
Space used	No more than 1 room or 50% of the home's ground floor area, whichever is greater. § 17.66.040 · code text A home occupation shall not involve the use of more than one room or fifty percent of the ground floor areas of a dwelling unit, whichever is greater.
Businesses not allowed	Wholesale, jobbing or retail business, unless conducted entirely by mail and/or telephone Applies: Articles produced by members of the immediate family living on the premises may be sold on the premises § 17.66.040 · code text No wholesale, jobbing, or retail business shall be permitted unless it is conducted entirely by mail and/or telephone; provided, however, that articles produced by the members of the immediate family residing on the premises may be sold upon the premises. animal hospital or kennel; automobile and/or body and fender repairing; barber or beauty shop; business, dance, or music school; doctor or dentist office; mortuary; private club; repair shop or service establishment; restaurant or tourist home § 17.66.040 · code text In no event shall a home occupation be interpreted to include an animal hospital or kennel; automobile and/or body and fender repairing; barber or beauty shop; business, dance, or music school; doctor or dentist office; mortuary; private club; repair shop or service establishment; or restaurant or tourist home.
Employees	No employees. Only a resident of the home may run the business. § 17.66.040 · code text A home occupation shall be operated and maintained only by a resident of the dwelling in which such home occupation occurs, and, there shall be no employees.
Permit	A home occupation permit from the planning director and a city business license are required. § 17.66.040 · code text Home occupations shall be permitted only after a home occupation permit has been issued by the planning director, and a business license secured from the city finance department.

Other Willits rules on this

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

Draining a pool into the sewer (§ 13.04.260)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Willits limits detached accessory structures closer than 3 feet to a side or rear line to 6 feet, 6 inches and 100 square feet.

Can I run a business from my home in Willits?

Willits limits a home business to one room or 50% of the ground floor, whichever is greater, with no employees.

General information, not legal advice.