Woodside · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Woodside

Woodside limits the space home businesses use and requires a town permit for them. The town also has a section on fences, walls, gates, pylons and berms.

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Key points

Fences: Woodside has a town section on fences, walls, gates, pylons and berms (§ 153.212).
Home business: Woodside home businesses may use 1/4 of the main residence or 400 square feet, whichever is less, and need a town permit.

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

Running a business from home

Woodside code What Woodside's code adds
Space used	No more than 1/4 of the main home's floor area or 400 square feet, whichever is less. Applies: Counts all business space, wherever it is on the parcel. § 153.111 · code text The total floor area used for home occupations shall not exceed one-fourth of the total floor area of the main residence or 400 square feet, whichever is less, regardless of where on the parcel such occupation is carried on.
Employees	No more than 2 residents may run the business. Applies: The business must be entirely inside the main home or the accessory dwelling unit. § 153.111 · code text Such occupations shall be conducted by no more than two resident occupants entirely within either the main dwelling unit or accessory dwelling unit.
Permit	A home occupation permit from the town is required. The business license renews with the permit. § 153.111 · code text A home occupation shall not be conducted on any site unless a permit authorizing the use has been issued by the Town. An application for a home occupation permit shall be filed with the Town.
Businesses not allowed	Selling or stocking for sale any products other than those produced on the premises § 153.111 · code text No products shall be sold or stocked for sale other than those produced on the premises. No outdoor storage of material shall be permitted.

Lot splits under SB 9

Woodside code What Woodside's code adds
How the lot may be divided	Each new lot must be at least 40% of the existing lot or 1,200 square feet, whichever is greater. Applies: SB 9 lot splits. § 152.164 · code text Proposed lots shall be at least 40 percent of the size of the existing parcel or 1,200 square feet, whichever is greater.
Unit size	Up to 800 square feet. Applies: SB 9 units on lots over 1,200 square feet in single-family zones: R-1, SR, RR and SCP. § 153.986 · code text Table S-1 below provides development standards for SB9 units that are up to 800 square feet in floor area on any parcel greater than 1,200 square feet in a single-family residential zone.
Setbacks	4 feet from side and rear property lines. Applies: SB 9 units in the R-1, SR, RR and SCP districts. § 153.986 · code text Sides \| 4 \| 4 \| 4 \| 4 HVAC equipment at least 4 feet from side and rear property lines and outside the front setback. Applies: SB 9 lots. § 153.986 · code text Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment must be at least four feet from side and rear property lines and comply with the required front setback , or a greater setback if required by Chapter 150 (Building Regulations). 30-foot front setback. Applies: SB 9 units in the R-1 district. § 153.986 · code text Front \| 30 \| 50 \| 50 \| 50 50-foot front setback. Applies: SB 9 units in the SR, RR and SCP districts. § 153.986 · code text Front \| 30 \| 50 \| 50 \| 50
Standards	Town staff check the project against objective design standards during building permit review. § 153.986 · code text Town staff shall review SB9 housing projects for compliance with the objective design standards on file in the Planning Department with review of a building permit application Each new lot needs at least 1 conforming building site that fits 2 homes and adequate driveway access. § 152.165 · code text This is to provide assurance that at least one conforming and adequate building site exists that can accommodate two residential units subject to the requirements in the Zoning Code for SB9 development, as well as adequate driveway access.
Parking	1 parking space per unit. § 153.986 · code text Number of spaces \| One parking space per unit

Solar panels and EV chargers

Woodside code What Woodside's code adds
EV charger permit	Apply by email, or in person at the Building Division counter during business hours; electronic signatures accepted. Applies: EV charging station permits. § 150.54 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and associated documents for electric vehicle charging station system permits may be made by email.
Solar permit process	Apply by email or online, or in person at the Building Division counter during regular business hours. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 150.34 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and associated documents for small, residential rooftop solar energy system permits shall be made by email or the internet. Only 1 inspection, done within 3 business days. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 150.35 · code text Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the Building Division for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.

Tree removal

Woodside code What Woodside's code adds
Permit to remove	A permit is granted for diseased or hazardous trees, or for removal needed for construction under a valid permit. Applies: Significant trees; also thinning recommended by an arborist or fire district, or non-landmark eucalyptus, acacia or Monterey pine. § 153.436 · code text They are significantly diseased and at risk of dying, transmitting disease to other trees, or falling down; Yes, a permit is required. Applies: Tree destruction. § 153.434 · code text No person shall engage in tree destruction without first obtaining a permit.
Replacement trees	The Planning Director may require replacement trees. § 153.436 · code text The Planning Director may also require tree replacement, as provided in Section 153.438.

Pets, chickens and bees

Woodside code What Woodside's code adds
Large animals	Existing nonconforming livestock uses or structures may continue; the right ends after 1 year or more of abandonment. Applies: Nonconforming livestock uses or structures used for livestock. § 115.07 · code text A nonconforming livestock use or the use of a nonconforming structure for livestock purposes may be continued except as otherwise provided in the Zoning Code.

Other Woodside rules on this

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

Fences, walls, gates, pylons and berms (§ 153.212)
Grading limits around pools and sport courts (Sec. 151.42)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Woodside?

Woodside has a town section on fences, walls, gates, pylons and berms (§ 153.212). Woodside also has a related rule: Fences, walls, gates, pylons and berms (§ 153.212).

Can I run a business from my home in Woodside?

Woodside home businesses may use 1/4 of the main residence or 400 square feet, whichever is less, and need a town permit.

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Woodside?

Woodside's code: Each new lot must be at least 40% of the existing lot or 1,200 square feet, whichever is greater. (SB 9 lot splits.) (§ 152.164); Up to 800 square feet. (SB 9 units on lots over 1,200 square feet in single-family zones: R-1, SR, RR and SCP.) (§ 153.986).

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

Woodside's code: Apply by email, or in person at the Building Division counter during business hours; electronic signatures accepted. (EV charging station permits.) (§ 150.54); Apply by email or online, or in person at the Building Division counter during regular business hours. (Small residential rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 150.34).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Woodside?

Woodside's code: A permit is granted for diseased or hazardous trees, or for removal needed for construction under a valid permit. (Significant trees; also thinning recommended by an arborist or fire district, or non-landmark eucalyptus, acacia or Monterey pine.) (§ 153.436); Yes, a permit is required. (Tree destruction.) (§ 153.434).

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

Woodside's code: Existing nonconforming livestock uses or structures may continue; the right ends after 1 year or more of abandonment. (Nonconforming livestock uses or structures used for livestock.) (§ 115.07).

General information, not legal advice.

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Woodside Municipal Code — full text

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