Woodland · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Woodland
Woodland sets fence heights by location and openness, with lower limits for solid front-yard fences. The city limits accessory building height and total size, and home businesses need a Zoning Clearance.
Key points
- Fence height: Woodland limits solid front-yard fences to 3 feet 6 inches, rear and interior side fences to 7 feet; over 6 needs a building permit.
- Accessory buildings: Woodland limits detached accessory buildings in residential zones to 16 feet, and all accessory structures to 75% of the main home's floor area.
- Home business: Woodland home businesses may use 25% of livable area or 500 square feet, whichever is less; no client visits except personal instruction.
Each rule below is marked Woodland code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Height anywhere on the lot |
|
|---|---|
| Front yard height |
|
| Side and rear yard height |
|
| Permit |
|
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Maximum height |
|
|---|---|
| Size or lot coverage |
|
| Side and rear setback |
|
| No permit needed up to |
|
| Distance from the house |
|
Running a business from home
| Space used |
|
|---|---|
| Customer visits |
|
| Employees |
|
| Permit |
|
| Businesses not allowed |
|
Lot splits under SB 9
| How the lot may be divided |
|
|---|---|
| Minimum new lot size |
|
| Standards |
|
Swimming pools
| Equipment and alarms |
|
|---|---|
| Setback from property lines |
|
Pets, chickens and bees
| Bees |
|
|---|---|
| Chickens |
|
| Large animals |
|
| Permit |
|
Other Woodland rules on this
Woodland's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Permit to remove a heritage oak or large tree at a home (§ 12.48.100)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Woodland?
Woodland limits solid front-yard fences to 3 feet 6 inches, rear and interior side fences to 7 feet; over 6 needs a building permit.
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Woodland?
Woodland limits detached accessory buildings in residential zones to 16 feet, and all accessory structures to 75% of the main home's floor area.
Can I run a business from my home in Woodland?
Woodland home businesses may use 25% of livable area or 500 square feet, whichever is less; no client visits except personal instruction.
Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Woodland?
Woodland's code: Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot's area. (Urban lot splits.) (§ 16.90.050); Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. (Each resulting lot.) (§ 16.90.050).
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Woodland?
Woodland's code: Equipment within 10 feet of a neighboring home's living area must be in a soundproof enclosure. (Filter, heating and maintenance systems and equipment.) (§ 17.64.090); Not in any required setback next to a public street. (Filter, heating and maintenance systems and equipment.) (§ 17.64.090).
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Woodland?
Woodland's code: Yes, up to 2 beehives per lot. (Lots under 10,000 square feet.) (§ 17.84.110); Yes, up to 4 beehives per lot. (Lots over 10,000 square feet.) (§ 17.84.110).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Woodland property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
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