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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

Woodland code What Woodland's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot
  • A fence on a retaining wall may total up to 8 feet, if the Director allows it.
    Applies: Where the retaining wall handles a grade difference and a 6-foot fence limit applies; measured from the wall's midpoint to the fence top.
    § 17.64.030 · code text
    the Director may allow a combined height of fence and retaining wall up to eight feet, as measured from the midpoint of the retaining wall to the fence top.
Front yard height
  • Solid fences, walls and hedges may be no more than 3 feet 6 inches tall.
    Applies: In a required front setback or along the front property line.
    § 17.64.030 · code text
    Solid fences, walls, and hedges located within a required front setback or along the front yard property line may be a maximum of three feet six inches in height.
  • Wrought iron or tubular steel fences may be up to 5 feet tall.
    Applies: Downtown zones, in a required front or street side setback; at least 80% open and at least 5 feet from the back of sidewalk.
    § 17.64.030 · code text
    up to five feet in height may be installed within a required front or street side setback provided the fence is a minimum of 80% open
  • Fences may be up to 5 feet tall.
    Applies: RL, N-P and RLM zones; the whole fence at least 80% open, placed 5 feet from the back of sidewalk.
    § 17.64.030 · code text
    A fence up to five feet in height may be located five feet from the back of sidewalk provided the fence in its entirety is open a minimum of 80%
  • Fences may be up to 5 feet tall.
    Applies: RL, N-P, RLM zones: at least 10 feet behind the sidewalk; top 2 feet at most 20% opaque; at most 40% of front width.
    § 17.64.030 · code text
    A fence up to five feet in height may be located a minimum of 10 feet from the back of the sidewalk provided the top two feet are open a minimum of 8%
  • Decorative or tubular steel fences may be up to 6 feet tall.
    Applies: RM, RH, mixed-use, commercial and employment zones; at least 80% open and at least 10 feet from the back of sidewalk.
    § 17.64.030 · code text
    fence up to six feet in height may be located 10-feet from the back of sidewalk, provided the fence is a minimum of 80% open
  • Columns, pilasters and supports of a fence or gate may be up to 7 feet tall.
    Applies: In required setbacks; no closer than 12 feet on center; they must not block sight visibility.
    § 17.64.030 · code text
    They do not exceed seven feet in height;
Side and rear yard height
  • Fences, walls and hedges may be no more than 3 feet 6 inches tall.
    Applies: Within 5 feet of the street side property line.
    § 17.64.030 · code text
    Fences, walls, and hedges located within five feet of the street side property line may be a maximum of three feet six inches in height.
  • Fences, walls and hedges may be no more than 7 feet tall.
    Applies: 5 feet or more from the street side property line.
    § 17.64.030 · code text
    Fences, walls, and hedges located five feet or more from the street side property line may be a maximum of seven feet in height.
  • Fences, walls and hedges may be no more than 7 feet tall.
    Applies: Interior side and rear setback areas behind the required front setback.
    § 17.64.030 · code text
    Fences, walls, and hedges behind the required front setback within the interior side and rear setback areas may be a maximum of seven feet in height.
Permit
  • A building permit is required for fences and walls over 6 feet tall.
    § 17.64.030 · code text
    All fences and walls over six feet in height and all retaining walls 36 inches or greater in height require a Building Permit (see § 17.100.130, Building Permit).
  • An encroachment permit is required.
    Applies: Fences and walls in the public right-of-way.
    § 17.64.030 · code text
    All fences and walls within the public right-of-way require an encroachment permit and shall be subject to all requirements of this section in addition to any public works requirements.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Woodland code What Woodland's code adds
Maximum height
  • Detached accessory buildings may be no more than 16 feet tall.
    Applies: Residential zones.
    § 17.64.020 · code text
    Accessory structures shall not exceed a maximum height of 16 feet.
  • A two-story accessory building up to 25 feet tall may be allowed.
    Applies: Residential zones, at the rear of a lot next to an alley; at least 10 feet from the side property line.
    § 17.64.020 · code text
    A two-story accessory structure no greater than 25 feet in height may be allowed at the rear of a lot that abuts an alley but must comply with a minimum 10-foot side property line setback.
Size or lot coverage
  • All residential accessory structures together may be no more than 75% of the main building's floor area.
    Applies: Unless the Director approves otherwise.
    § 17.64.020 · code text
    The cumulative floor area of any residential accessory structure(s) may be a maximum of 75% of that of the primary structure, except as otherwise approved by the Director.
  • Accessory structures may cover no more than 30% of the zone's required side and rear setback.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings in residential zones; total of all accessory structures.
    § 17.64.020 · code text
    The total square footage of all accessory structures shall not occupy more than 30% of the required side and rear setback of the underlying zone.
  • The main building and accessory structures together may cover no more than 50% of the lot.
    Applies: Residential zones, unless the base zone allows otherwise.
    § 17.64.020 · code text
    Unless otherwise allowed in the base zone, maximum aggregate lot coverage by primary and accessory structures shall not exceed 50%.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 3 feet from interior side or rear property lines.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings in residential zones with an eave height under 9 feet at the point closest to the line.
    § 17.64.020 · code text
    Less than 9 feet | 3 feet
  • At least 4 feet from interior side or rear property lines.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings in residential zones with an eave height of 9 feet to under 10 feet.
    § 17.64.020 · code text
    At least 9 feet but less than 10 feet | 4 feet
  • At least 5 feet from interior side or rear property lines.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings in residential zones with an eave height of 10 feet to under 11 feet.
    § 17.64.020 · code text
    At least 10 feet but less than 11 feet | 5 feet
  • At least 6 feet from interior side or rear property lines.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings in residential zones with an eave height of 11 feet to under 12 feet.
    § 17.64.020 · code text
    At least 11 feet but less than 12 feet | 6 feet
  • At least 7 feet from interior side or rear property lines.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings in residential zones with an eave height of 12 to 16 feet, subject to review.
    § 17.64.020 · code text
    12 to 16 feet (subject to review) | 7 feet
  • At least 10 feet from the side property line.
    Applies: Two-story accessory buildings up to 25 feet at the rear of a lot next to an alley, in residential zones.
    § 17.64.020 · code text
    A two-story accessory structure no greater than 25 feet in height may be allowed at the rear of a lot that abuts an alley but must comply with a minimum 10-foot side property line setback.
No permit needed up to
  • No building permit is needed under 120 square feet.
    Applies: Detached, no utility hookups. Attached structures and decks over 30 inches need a permit. Tier 1 development review applies over 12 feet in residential zones.
    § 17.64.020 · code text
    A Building Permit (see § 17.100.130, Building Permit) is required for all accessory structures 120 square feet or greater and all accessory structures with utility hookups, regardless of square footage.
Distance from the house
  • At least 6 feet from any main building or home on the lot.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings in residential zones.
    § 17.64.020 · code text
    All accessory buildings shall be located at least six feet from any primary building or dwelling on the lot.

Running a business from home

Woodland code What Woodland's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 25% of the home's livable area or 500 square feet, whichever is less.
    § 17.84.200 · code text
    the area does not exceed 25% of the total livable area or 500 square feet (including inside storage areas), whichever is less.
Customer visits
  • No customer or client visits.
    Applies: Except for personal instruction services.
    § 17.84.200 · code text
    No customer or client visits are permitted except for personal instruction services (e.g., musical instruction or training, art lessons, academic tutoring).
  • No more than 1 client per hour.
    Applies: Personal instruction services; all clients and patrons combined.
    § 17.84.200 · code text
    The combined number of clients/patrons that can attend the residence is limited to no more than one per hour, with a maximum of eight per day.
  • No more than 8 clients per day.
    Applies: Personal instruction services; all clients and patrons combined.
    § 17.84.200 · code text
    The combined number of clients/patrons that can attend the residence is limited to no more than one per hour, with a maximum of eight per day.
  • No more than 3 clients or students at any one time.
    Applies: Personal instruction services.
    § 17.84.200 · code text
    There may be no more than three clients/students at any one time.
Employees
  • 1 full-time equivalent employee who does not live in the home is allowed.
    § 17.84.200 · code text
    A home occupation may employ one full-time equivalent employee other than the residents of the dwelling.
Permit
  • A Zoning Clearance is required for each home business.
    § 17.84.200 · code text
    A Zoning Clearance is required for each home occupation, pursuant to § 17.100.030, Zoning Clearance.
Businesses not allowed
  • Display or sale of products or merchandise from the site, except by mail, telephone, Internet, or other mode of electronic communication
    Applies: Sales by mail, telephone, Internet or other electronic means are allowed; also allowed as a permitted cottage food operation
    § 17.84.200 · code text
    Home occupations involving the display or sale of products or merchandise are not permitted from the site except by mail, telephone, Internet, or other mode of electronic communication, unless permitted per Cottage Food Preparation as provided in subsection F, Cottage Food Operations.
  • Uses involving hazardous materials
    Applies: Hazardous materials of a type or quantity not normally associated with residential uses
    § 17.84.200 · code text
    Such prohibited uses include those which involve the use of hazardous materials and uses which entail the harboring, training, or raising of animals beyond the standards of § 17.84.080, Animal Keeping.
  • Uses that harbor, train or raise animals beyond the Animal Keeping standards (§ 17.84.080)
    § 17.84.200 · code text
    Such prohibited uses include those which involve the use of hazardous materials and uses which entail the harboring, training, or raising of animals beyond the standards of § 17.84.080, Animal Keeping.

Lot splits under SB 9

Woodland code What Woodland's code adds
How the lot may be divided
  • Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot's area.
    Applies: Urban lot splits.
    § 16.90.050 · code text
    Each of the resulting lots must be between 60% and 40% of the original lot area.
Minimum new lot size
  • Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet.
    Applies: Each resulting lot.
    § 16.90.050 · code text
    The resulting lots must each be at least 1,200 square feet.
Standards
  • The lot to be split must be at least 2,400 square feet.
    Applies: The original lot.
    § 16.90.050 · code text
    The lot to be split must be at least 2,400 square feet.
  • Each new lot must border the public right-of-way with at least 20 feet of frontage.
    Applies: Urban lot splits.
    § 16.90.050 · code text
    Each resulting lot must adjoin the public right-of-way and have at least 20 feet of frontage on the public right-of-way.
  • A new driveway must be at least 5 feet from any other driveway.
    Applies: Urban lot splits.
    § 16.90.050 · code text
    Any new driveway shall be no closer than five feet to any other driveway and shall be the narrowest width at the right-of-way possible to allow access.

Swimming pools

Woodland code What Woodland's code adds
Equipment and alarms
  • Equipment within 10 feet of a neighboring home's living area must be in a soundproof enclosure.
    Applies: Filter, heating and maintenance systems and equipment.
    § 17.64.090 · code text
    All filter, heating, and maintenance systems and equipment shall not be located within any required setback adjacent to a public street, or within three feet of an interior side or rear property line, or within 10 feet of the living area of any dwelling unit on an adjacent parcel unless located within a soundproof enclosure.
  • Not in any required setback next to a public street.
    Applies: Filter, heating and maintenance systems and equipment.
    § 17.64.090 · code text
    All filter, heating, and maintenance systems and equipment shall not be located within any required setback adjacent to a public street, or within three feet of an interior side or rear property line, or within 10 feet of the living area of any dwelling unit on an adjacent parcel unless located within a soundproof enclosure.
  • Not within 3 feet of an interior side or rear property line.
    Applies: Filter, heating and maintenance systems and equipment.
    § 17.64.090 · code text
    All filter, heating, and maintenance systems and equipment shall not be located within any required setback adjacent to a public street, or within three feet of an interior side or rear property line, or within 10 feet of the living area of any dwelling unit on an adjacent parcel unless located within a soundproof enclosure.
Setback from property lines
  • At least 10 feet.
    Applies: From the street-side property line, measured to the outside wall of the pool or spa.
    § 17.64.090 · code text
    The outside wall of the water containing portion of any swimming pool or spa shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from the street side property line.
  • 5 feet.
    Applies: Street-side setback where a masonry subdivision perimeter wall encloses the lot.
    § 17.64.090 · code text
    Where the lot is enclosed by a masonry subdivision perimeter wall, the street side setback is five feet.
  • At least 5 feet.
    Applies: From interior side and rear property lines, measured to the outside wall of the pool or spa.
    § 17.64.090 · code text
    The outside wall of the water containing portion of any swimming pool or spa shall be located a minimum of five feet from the interior side and rear property line.

Pets, chickens and bees

Woodland code What Woodland's code adds
Bees
  • Yes, up to 2 beehives per lot.
    Applies: Lots under 10,000 square feet.
    § 17.84.110 · code text
    A maximum of two beehives per lot on a parcel of land less than 10,000 square feet.
  • Yes, up to 4 beehives per lot.
    Applies: Lots over 10,000 square feet.
    § 17.84.110 · code text
    A maximum of four beehives per lot on a parcel of land with an area over 10,000 square feet.
  • Rear yards only; behind a 6-foot solid fence or hedge, or at least 25 feet from the neighboring property line.
    Applies: All beekeeping.
    § 17.84.110 · code text
    A beehive will be located a minimum of 25 feet away from the neighboring property line.
Chickens
  • More than 6 chickens needs a Zoning Administrator permit.
    Applies: Keeping more than 6 chickens.
    § 6.08.040 · code text
    Chickens, pigeons, or rabbits, exceeding six in number and of such types and under such conditions as will not be detrimental to the health, safety, comfort, convenience or welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of such proposed keeping and will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to improvements in the neighborhood.
Large animals
  • Allowed with a Zoning Administrator permit; no more than 3 such pets in any combination.
    Applies: Pot-bellied pigs, pygmy goats, miniature horses, ponies, donkeys or similar small animals.
    § 6.08.040 · code text
    No more than three such pets or a combination thereof shall be permitted.
Permit
  • Register with the city before setting up an apiary, and with the Yolo County Agricultural Commissioner.
    Applies: Beekeeping.
    § 17.84.110 · code text
    Beekeeping registration is required prior to establishment of an apiary, as follows:

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.

Who this affects

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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.

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