Arroyo Grande · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Arroyo Grande
Arroyo Grande sets fence heights by yard in residential districts, with taller front fences allowed when the upper part is open. The city also limits accessory building height and requires a permit and business license for home businesses.
Key points
- Fence height: Arroyo Grande limits front-yard fences to 3 feet, or 6 if the part above 3 feet is 90% open; side and rear, 6 feet.
- Accessory buildings: Arroyo Grande limits accessory buildings in residential districts to 14 feet, and no higher than the main structure.
- Home business: Arroyo Grande home businesses need a permit and business license; only family members who live on the premises may work there.
Each rule below is marked Arroyo Grande code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Arroyo Grande code Arroyo Grande limits front-yard fences to 3 feet, or 6 if the part above 3 feet is 90% open; side and rear, 6 feet.
All 5 Arroyo Grande rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Arroyo Grande code Arroyo Grande limits accessory buildings in residential districts to 14 feet, and no higher than the main structure.
All 3 Arroyo Grande rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Arroyo Grande code Arroyo Grande home businesses need a permit and business license; only family members who live on the premises may work there.
All 4 Arroyo Grande rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Arroyo Grande code The Building Official issues all needed permits when the application meets the City's checklist. Electronic submittal and signatures are accepted. The City must approve a final inspection before the charger is turned on or used.
All 5 Arroyo Grande rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Pet limit |
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Grading and erosion control
Arroyo Grande code All projects that need a grading permit must submit an erosion and sediment control plan. A grading permit is needed for more than 50 cubic yards of earthwork.
All 6 Arroyo Grande rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
| Exemptions |
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|---|---|
| How the park fee is set |
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Noise and construction hours
Arroyo Grande code 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All 6 Arroyo Grande rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
| How long a sale may last |
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|---|---|
| Permit |
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| Sales per year |
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| Signs |
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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 |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Arroyo Grande code One single-family residence and/or a secondary dwelling on the same existing parcel is exempt. Fee follows a schedule set by city council resolution.
All 7 Arroyo Grande rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Arroyo Grande code 0.5 space per unit for visitor parking. 0.5 uncovered space per unit, resident and visitor parking combined.
All 8 Arroyo Grande rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Arroyo Grande code At most 1 sign per property, 6 square feet, 4 feet high. For-sale, for-rent or for-lease signs need no permit.
All 3 Arroyo Grande rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Arroyo Grande code You must use the city's solid waste collection and disposal service. All yard refuse must go in the receptacles provided for it.
All 5 Arroyo Grande rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Arroyo Grande rules on this
Arroyo Grande's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Urban lot splits (SB 9 parcel maps) (§ 16.20.180) — single-family zones only
- Two-unit homes on one lot (SB 9) (§ 16.32.060) — single-family zones only
- Parking boats, trailers and motorhomes on the street (§ 10.16.100) — public streets and city lots only
- Swimming pools at homes (§ 16.52.200) — residential zones
- Permit to remove a regulated or oak tree (§ 12.16.070) — coast live oaks on single-family lots
- Floodplain management and creek protection (§ 16.44.050)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Arroyo Grande?
Arroyo Grande's code: Set by city council resolution and adjusted each January by the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index. (Development impact fees under this chapter.) (§ 3.36.040).
What are the garage sale rules in Arroyo Grande?
Arroyo Grande's code: At most 3 sales. (Per home, per calendar year.) (§ 5.64.040); No business license permit is required for a garage sale. (§ 5.64.010).
Can I run a family child care home in Arroyo Grande?
California law sets this for every city, including Arroyo Grande: 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)).
General information, not legal advice.
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