Willows · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Willows

Willows sets fence heights by yard in its R districts and sets a rear setback for detached accessory buildings. Home businesses need a use permit, and only the family member living there may carry them on.

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Key points

Fence height: In R districts, Willows limits fences to 3½ feet inside the 25-foot front yard setback and 6 feet in side and rear yards.
Accessory buildings: Willows sets detached accessory buildings 3 feet from the rear property line; no rear setback is required where the lot abuts an alley.
Home business: Willows home businesses may use 25% of the dwelling's floor space or 50% of an accessory building; use permit, no other employees.

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

Fences and walls

Willows code What Willows's code adds
Front yard height	three and one-half feet Applies: inside the 25-foot front yard setback in R districts § 18.110.050 · code text In R districts, fences in side and rear yards may not exceed six feet in height and may not exceed three and one-half feet in height inside the 25-foot front yard setback.
Side and rear yard height	Fences may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Side and rear yards in R districts. § 18.110.050 · code text In R districts, fences in side and rear yards may not exceed six feet in height and may not exceed three and one-half feet in height inside the 25-foot front yard setback.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Willows code What Willows's code adds
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet from the rear property line. Applies: Detached accessory buildings, unless the property abuts an alley. § 18.110.020 · code text Three feet from the rear property line, unless the property abuts an alley. No rear setback is required. Applies: Detached accessory buildings on property that abuts an alley. § 18.110.020 · code text If abutting an alley, no rear setback is required.

Running a business from home

Willows code What Willows's code adds
Space used	No more than 25% of the home's floor space. Applies: Business inside the home. § 18.110.070 · code text Is confined completely within a legal structure and occupies not more than 25 percent of the floor space of a dwelling or 50 percent of that of an accessory building. No more than 50% of the accessory building's floor space. Applies: Business in an accessory building. § 18.110.070 · code text Is confined completely within a legal structure and occupies not more than 25 percent of the floor space of a dwelling or 50 percent of that of an accessory building.
Employees	No other people may be employed. Applies: The business is run by the family member living in the home. § 18.110.070 · code text Is carried on by the member of the family occupying the dwelling with no other persons employed.
Permit	A use permit is required. Applies: Before a home business starts operating. § 18.110.070 · code text A home occupation as defined in WMC § 18.25.080 shall be permitted in any residence upon first securing a use permit only if all the following regulations can be met:
Businesses not allowed	Sales of merchandise other than that produced on the premises or directly related to and incidental to the services offered § 18.110.070 · code text Involves no sales of merchandise other than that produced on the premises or directly related to and incidental to the services offered.

RV and boat parking

Willows code What Willows's code adds
Parking on the street	No more than 48 consecutive hours in any 7-day period. Applies: Applies to trailers, camp cars and similar equipment on any public street, alley or other public place. § 10.50.110 · code text Except as otherwise provided in this title, it is unlawful for any person to park or stand any trailer, camp car or any other similar type of equipment owned, operated or controlled by such person, in or upon any public street, court, drive, alley or other public place in the city for more than 48 consecutive hours within any period of seven days.

Pets, chickens and bees

Willows code What Willows's code adds
Large animals	Not allowed. Swine, cattle, horses and other livestock may not be kept. Applies: Applies within city limits. § 6.05.130 · code text It shall be unlawful and it is hereby declared to be a nuisance for any person to keep or maintain any swine, cattle, horses, or other livestock within the limits of the city.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Willows?

In R districts, Willows limits fences to 3½ feet inside the 25-foot front yard setback and 6 feet in side and rear yards.

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

Willows sets detached accessory buildings 3 feet from the rear property line; no rear setback is required where the lot abuts an alley.

Can I run a business from my home in Willows?

Willows home businesses may use 25% of the dwelling's floor space or 50% of an accessory building; use permit, no other employees.

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Willows?

Willows's code: No more than 48 consecutive hours in any 7-day period. (Applies to trailers, camp cars and similar equipment on any public street, alley or other public place.) (§ 10.50.110).

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

Willows's code: Not allowed. Swine, cattle, horses and other livestock may not be kept. (Applies within city limits.) (§ 6.05.130).

General information, not legal advice.

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