Amador County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Amador County
Amador County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. It sets where detached accessory buildings may stand and allows home businesses only in some districts, with a use permit.
Key points
- Accessory buildings: County rules let detached accessory buildings on a lot's rear half have a 1-foot setback, but at least 6 feet from any alley.
- Home business: County home businesses may use 25% of the dwelling's floor area, at most 250 square feet, with 1 employee and a use permit.
Each rule below is marked Amador County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Amador County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Amador County have their own codes and their own pages.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Amador County code County rules let detached accessory buildings on a lot's rear half have a 1-foot setback, but at least 6 feet from any alley.
All 3 Amador County rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Amador County code County home businesses may use 25% of the dwelling's floor area, at most 250 square feet, with 1 employee and a use permit.
All 4 Amador County rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|
Pets, chickens and bees
| Large animals |
|
|---|
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
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 |
Trash and recycling carts
| Where carts are kept |
|
|---|
Other Amador County rules on this
Amador County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Small grading that needs no permit (§ 15.04.060)
- Grading permits and erosion control (§ 15.40.090)
- Noise from homes and short-term rentals (§ 9.44.010)
- Facilities development fee on new homes (Ch. 7.86)
- Road impact fee on new homes (§ 7.84.040)
- Park impact fee on new homes (§ 7.90.030)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Amador County?
Amador County's code: The building official approves the application and issues all needed permits when it meets the county's adopted checklist. (The charging station may not be turned on or used until the county grants approval.) (§ 15.12.040).
What are the rules for building in an Amador County flood zone?
Amador County's code: A development permit is required before construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.16.130); Above highest adjacent grade by at least the FIRM depth number in feet, or at least 2 feet if none. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone.) (§ 15.16.160).
Can I run a family child care home in Amador County?
California law sets this for every city, including Amador County: 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)).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Amador County?
Amador County's code: Store solid waste on the premises so it does not attract vectors or create nuisances. (§ 7.24.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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