Yuba County · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Yuba County

Yuba County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. Many of its fence, accessory structure and home business rules differ inside and outside the valley growth boundary.

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Key points

Fence height: County fences are limited to 8 feet outside front and street side yards; in the valley growth boundary, front-yard fences to 3 feet.
Accessory structures: Within the valley growth boundary, no single county accessory structure may exceed the primary building's ground floor area, except agricultural uses.
Home business: County home businesses may use 25% of the dwelling's floor area, including attached garages, and need a zoning clearance or self certification.

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

Yuba County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Yuba County have their own codes and their own pages.

Fences and walls

Yuba County code What Yuba County's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot	Up to 8 feet tall may be permitted. Applies: Fences, hedges and walls outside the front and street side yard areas. § 11.19.040 · code text Outside the front and street side yard area (setback is established by zone district) fences, hedges, and walls up to eight feet in height may be permitted.
Front yard height	No more than 3 feet tall. Applies: Fences, hedges and freestanding walls in required front and corner side yards, or along their outer edges, within the valley growth boundary. § 11.19.040 · code text Within the valley growth boundary the required front and corner side yards, or along the exterior boundaries of such yards; fences, hedges, and freestanding walls may not exceed a height of three feet. Up to 4 feet tall at the back of the sidewalk. Applies: Front and street side yards in the valley growth boundary; the top foot or whole fence must be open or lattice-type, at least 25% transparent. § 11.19.040 · code text Fences may be placed at the back of the sidewalk if they achieve a height of four feet provided that the top foot or entire fence height is of open or lattice-type design and achieves at least 25 percent transparency. Open agricultural-style fencing up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Front and street side property lines outside the valley growth boundary, or agricultural properties inside it; more height only by Planning Director waiver. § 11.19.040 · code text Outside the valley growth boundary or on agricultural properties within the valley growth boundary, fencing along the front and street side yard property lines may be open "agricultural style" fencing up to six feet in height unless a need can be made to the Planning Director to allow additional height through a waiver. Up to 8 feet tall. Applies: Corner-lot street sides in residential districts inside the valley growth boundary; set 5 feet from the back of sidewalk or 10 feet from the right-of-way. § 11.19.040 · code text Within the residential districts of the valley growth boundary, fences up to eight feet in height may be placed five feet from the back of the sidewalk or ten feet from the back of the right-of-way line from the street side of a corner lot.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 8 feet tall. Applies: Required side and rear yards; more only for noise attenuation shown by a noise analysis, or by security waiver in non-residential zones. § 11.19.040 · code text No fence, hedge, or freestanding wall within or along the exterior boundary of the required side or rear yards shall exceed a height of eight feet unless required for noise attenuation as determined by a noise analysis or in non-residential zones when a demonstrated security need can be demonstrated to the Planning Director through a waiver.
Permit	A building permit is required for fences over 7 feet tall. § 11.19.040 · code text Fences over seven feet in height shall require a building permit.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Yuba County code What Yuba County's code adds
Size or lot coverage	No single accessory structure may be larger than the ground floor area of the primary building. Applies: Within the valley growth boundary, except agricultural uses. § 11.19.030 · code text Within the valley growth boundary, excluding agricultural uses, no single accessory structures shall exceed the ground floor area of the primary building.
Side and rear setback	No setback for one accessory structure under 8 feet tall and under 120 square feet. Applies: Others meet their zone setbacks. Uncovered decks and patios under 18 inches are exempt. Valley growth boundary: front setback only for decks, patios, fences. § 11.19.030 · code text one accessory structure less than eight feet in height and less than 120 square feet in area.

Running a business from home

Yuba County code What Yuba County's code adds
Space used	No more than 25% of the home's floor area, including attached garages. § 11.32.140 · code text Not more than 25 percent of the floor area of the dwelling unit, including attached garages, shall be used in the conduct of the home occupation. No building or space outside the home and attached garage may be used. Applies: Within the valley growth boundary. § 11.32.140 · code text Within the valley growth boundary, no building or space outside of the dwelling unit and attached garage shall be used for home occupation purposes. Detached garages, workshops and enclosed accessory structures may be used and do not count toward the floor-area limit. Applies: Outside the valley growth boundary. § 11.32.140 · code text Outside the valley growth boundary, detached garages, workshops and enclosed accessory structures may be utilized as part of the home occupation and do not count towards the limitation on floor area specified above. Up to 300 square feet of sales and display area. Applies: Outside the valley growth boundary; must be incidental to the home occupation; needs an administrative use permit. § 11.32.140 · code text Outside valley growth boundary, sales and display areas incidental to the home occupation of up to 300 sq. ft. may be permitted
Customer visits	No more than 2 students at a time. Applies: Instructional services. § 11.32.140 · code text Instructional services shall be limited to no more than two students at one time and no more than four lessons/appointments per day. No more than 4 lessons or appointments per day. Applies: Instructional services. § 11.32.140 · code text Instructional services shall be limited to no more than two students at one time and no more than four lessons/appointments per day. No more than 4 appointments per day. Applies: Personal services by appointment only, such as barbers, beauty salons, nail salons or dog grooming. § 11.32.140 · code text Personal services such as barbers, beauty salons and nail salons or dog grooming when conducted by appointment only and do not exceed four appointments per day.
Employees	Only family members living on the premises may work in the business. Applies: Without an administrative or minor conditional use permit. § 11.32.140 · code text No person other than members of the family residing on the premises shall be engaged in such occupation. 1 employee who does not live on the premises. Applies: With an administrative use permit. § 11.32.140 · code text 1 non-resident employee Up to 3 employees. Applies: Outside the valley growth boundary, with a minor conditional use permit. § 11.32.140 · code text Up to 3 employees. 1 full-time equivalent employee, plus the operator and household members living in the unit. Applies: Cottage food operations. § 11.32.140 · code text Only the cottage food operator and members of his or her household living in the unit, as well as one full-time equivalent cottage food employee, may participate in a cottage food operation.
Permit	Each home occupation needs a zoning clearance or self certification. § 11.32.140 · code text A zoning clearance or self certification is required for each home occupation, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 11.55, Zoning Clearances. Administrative use permit. Applies: To have 1 non-resident employee. § 11.32.140 · code text 1 non-resident employee Administrative use permit. Applies: Personal services with more than 4 appointments per day but no more than 16 business vehicle trips per day, including deliveries. § 11.32.140 · code text Personal services: more than 4 appointments per day but does not exceed 16 vehicle trips/day (business related) including deliveries. Administrative use permit. Applies: Vehicle trips above the standard, but no more than 4 per hour and 16 business trips per day, including deliveries. § 11.32.140 · code text Does not exceed 4 vehicle trips/hour and no more than 16 vehicle trips/day (business related) including deliveries. Administrative use permit. Applies: Outside the valley growth boundary, for incidental sales and display areas up to 300 square feet. § 11.32.140 · code text Outside valley growth boundary, sales and display areas incidental to the home occupation of up to 300 sq. ft. may be permitted Minor conditional use permit. Applies: Instructional services with up to 5 students at a time or more than 4 appointments per day. § 11.32.140 · code text Instructional services: up to 5 students at 1 time or more than 4 appointments per day. Minor conditional use permit. Applies: Personal services with more than 16 but fewer than 32 business vehicle trips per day, including deliveries. § 11.32.140 · code text Personal services: that generates more than 16 vehicle trips/day but less than 32 vehicle trips/day (business related) including deliveries. Minor conditional use permit. Applies: Trips above the administrative permit limit, but no more than 8 per hour and 32 business trips per day, including deliveries. § 11.32.140 · code text Does not exceed 8 vehicle trips/hour and no more than 32 vehicle trips /day (business related) including deliveries. Minor conditional use permit. Applies: Outside the valley growth boundary: up to 3 employees, under 5 parking spaces, outdoor business, or over 300 square feet of sales/display. § 11.32.140 · code text Outside of valley growth boundary the following deviations may be permitted: •Up to 3 employees. •Requires less than 5 parking spaces for business and employees. •Business is conducted outdoors or requires more than 300 square feet of sales/display area.

RV and boat parking

Yuba County code What Yuba County's code adds
Where it may be parked	In a driveway, side yard or rear yard. § 11.25.120 · code text Recreational vehicles may be parked or stored in a driveway, side yard, or rear yard.
Front-yard parking	Not allowed in a required front yard or street-side setback, except on driveways. Applies: RVs, including travel trailers and boats. § 11.25.120 · code text Recreational vehicles, including travel trailers and boats, may not be parked or stored in a required front yard or street side setback area (excluding driveways).
Parking on the street	Only for loading or unloading, up to 72 hours before or after a trip. Applies: RVs on the public right-of-way. § 11.25.120 · code text Parking within the public right-of-way shall only be for the purpose of loading or unloading, not to exceed 72 hours before or after a trip.
Living in an RV	An RV may house visitors up to 1 week in any 6-month period. Applies: It must be fully self-contained and not parked on the public right-of-way. § 11.25.120 · code text The recreational vehicle may be used for purposes of accommodating visitors, not to exceed one week within any consecutive six-month period

Solar panels and EV chargers

Yuba County code What Yuba County's code adds
Solar height and setbacks	The system cannot be taller than the maximum legal building height. Applies: To qualify for the expedited permit: flush-mounted roof solar on a 1- or 2-family home. § 10.10.300 · code text The solar system shall not exceed the maximum allowable legal building height prescribed by the Yuba County Ordinance Code;
Solar permit process	Expedited applications get priority; complete documents get health and safety review only, then the permit; 1 final inspection. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar eligible for expedited review; the Building Department does 1 consolidated final inspection. § 10.10.330 · code text The review and approval of required documents, where deemed complete, shall be completed within three working days of receipt and the permit issued. Expedited process for flush-mount systems on a 1- or 2-family home roof, installed by a licensed solar contractor. Applies: Roof must have zero snow load and be under 1,400 feet elevation; others use the standard process. § 10.10.300 · code text The County will make available all required documents both electronically and in hardcopy;
Review time	Review and approval within 3 working days, then the permit is issued. Applies: Complete documents for small residential rooftop solar eligible for expedited review. § 10.10.330 · code text The review and approval of required documents, where deemed complete, shall be completed within three working days of receipt and the permit issued.

Swimming pools

Yuba County code The gap from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure can be at most 2 inches. Gaps cannot let a sphere 4 inches or more in diameter pass through.

All 15 Yuba County rules on swimming pools, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Other Yuba County rules on this

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

Animal raising and keeping (§ 11.32.050)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Yuba County?

County fences are limited to 8 feet outside front and street side yards; in the valley growth boundary, front-yard fences to 3 feet.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Yuba County?

Within the valley growth boundary, no single county accessory structure may exceed the primary building's ground floor area, except agricultural uses.

Can I run a business from my home in Yuba County?

County home businesses may use 25% of the dwelling's floor area, including attached garages, and need a zoning clearance or self certification.

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

Yuba County's code: In a driveway, side yard or rear yard. (§ 11.25.120); Not allowed in a required front yard or street-side setback, except on driveways. (RVs, including travel trailers and boats.) (§ 11.25.120).

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

Yuba County's code: The system cannot be taller than the maximum legal building height. (To qualify for the expedited permit: flush-mounted roof solar on a 1- or 2-family home.) (§ 10.10.300); Expedited applications get priority; complete documents get health and safety review only, then the permit; 1 final inspection. (Small residential rooftop solar eligible for expedited review; the Building Department does 1 consolidated final inspection.) (§ 10.10.330).

General information, not legal advice.

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