Alturas · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Alturas
Alturas has city sections on fences and on accessory structures, and detailed rules for home businesses. Home businesses are allowed by right in residential and agricultural zones when they meet the city's standards.
Key points
- Fences: Alturas has a city section on fences, walls, retaining walls, gates and trellises (§ 28.41.060).
- Accessory structures: Alturas has a city section on detached garages, carports and other accessory structures (§ 28.41.070).
- Home business: Alturas home businesses need a business license and may have up to 2 employees on site; group lessons are limited to 6 students.
Each rule below is marked Alturas 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
Alturas code Alturas home businesses need a business license and may have up to 2 employees on site; group lessons are limited to 6 students.
All 9 Alturas rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Alturas code Yes. No more than 7 poultry in total on a property. Coops must be at least 15 feet from any property line and any dwelling unit.
All 4 Alturas rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Alturas code A development permit is required before any construction or other development begins in a special flood hazard area. No fill, construction, substantial improvement or development unless a registered engineer or architect certifies no base flood elevation rise.
All 5 Alturas rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
| Noise limit at homes |
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|---|
Garage and yard sales
Alturas code Sales only between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. A sale may last no more than 2 days in a row.
All 4 Alturas rules on garage and yard sales, with the code text →
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Signs on homes
| Election and other noncommercial signs |
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|---|---|
| Other temporary signs |
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Other Alturas rules on this
Alturas's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Detached garages, carports and other accessory structures (§ 28.41.070)
- Fences, walls, retaining walls, gates and trellises (§ 28.41.060)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Alturas?
Alturas has a city section on fences, walls, retaining walls, gates and trellises (§ 28.41.060). Alturas also has a related rule: Fences, walls, retaining walls, gates and trellises (§ 28.41.060).
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Alturas?
Alturas has a city section on detached garages, carports and other accessory structures (§ 28.41.070). Alturas also has a related rule: Detached garages, carports and other accessory structures (§ 28.41.070).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Alturas?
Alturas's code: Outdoor noise at or below 60 dB Ldn, a day-night average, at the property line. (Land uses outside the M2 Primary Zone; owners must do everything possible to meet it.) (§ 28.47.020).
Can I run a family child care home in Alturas?
California law sets this for every city, including Alturas: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
What signs may I put up at my home in Alturas?
Alturas's code: Place signs no more than 90 days before the election. Remove them within 10 days after. (Political signs.) (§ 28.46.040); Put signs in use no more than 60 days before the event. Remove them no more than 30 days after. (Holiday and special event signs and decorations.) (§ 28.46.040).
General information, not legal advice.
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