Buellton · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Buellton
Buellton sets fence, accessory-structure and home-business limits that depend on the yard, the setback and the type of use. Tree removal, animal keeping and flood-zone building have separate city chapters.
Key points
- Fences: Front-yard fences are limited to 3 ft at the street property line, sloping up to 6 ft at the front setback line.
- Sheds: One-story detached sheds and gazebos up to 12 ft tall, 120 sq ft of roof, no plumbing or electrical: no land use permit.
- Home businesses: Home businesses use no more than 1 room (artist studios excepted), allow no more than 5 visitors at a time, and no outside employees.
- RV parking: On residential streets and alleys, trailers and boats may stay no more than 24 hours in a row in any 72-hour period.
- Pools: Pools and spas must be at least 5 ft from other property lines and cannot sit in a required front or side setback.
- Grading: A permit is needed for cuts or fills over 3 ft deep and/or over 30 cubic yards in 12 months.
Each rule below is marked Buellton code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Buellton code Front-yard fences are limited to 3 ft at the street property line, sloping up to 6 ft at the front setback line.
All 14 Buellton rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Buellton code One-story detached sheds and gazebos up to 12 ft tall, 120 sq ft of roof, no plumbing or electrical: no land use permit.
All 3 Buellton rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Buellton code Home businesses use no more than 1 room (artist studios excepted), allow no more than 5 visitors at a time, and no outside employees.
All 6 Buellton rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Parking on the street |
|
|---|
Solar panels and EV chargers
Buellton code Exempt from land use permits unless a zoning clearance is required. Approved administratively.
All 6 Buellton rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
| Setback from property lines |
|
|---|
Grading and erosion control
Buellton code A permit is needed for cuts or fills over 3 ft deep and/or over 30 cubic yards in 12 months.
All 4 Buellton rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| Light at the property line |
|
|---|---|
| Shielding |
|
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 |
Group homes and residential care
| Parking |
|
|---|---|
| Homes for 7 or more |
|
Historic homes
| Changing a historic home |
|
|---|---|
| Demolishing an older or historic home |
|
| Work that needs no review |
|
Other Buellton rules on this
Buellton's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Keeping animals in residential zones (§ 19.06.020)
- Permit to remove a protected native tree (§ 12.32.060)
- Floodplain management (Ch. 17.04)
- Traffic mitigation fee (Ch. 3.40)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Buellton?
On residential streets and alleys, trailers and boats may stay no more than 24 hours in a row in any 72-hour period.
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Buellton?
Pools and spas must be at least 5 ft from other property lines and cannot sit in a required front or side setback.
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Buellton?
Buellton's code: Uplighting is allowed only when a covered porch or similar structure fully blocks the light from the sky. (Outdoor light fixtures on homes.) (§ 19.04.130); The light source must not be visible beyond the property lines. (§ 19.04.130).
Can I run a family child care home in Buellton?
California law sets this for every city, including Buellton: 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)).
Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in Buellton?
Buellton's code: Consistent with the requirements for retirement and special care homes in the code's parking section. (Residential care home, 7 or more clients, and large group home.) (§ 19.06.310); Minor use permit required. (Residential care home, 7 or more clients, and large group home.) (§ 19.06.310).
What rules apply to a historic home in Buellton?
Buellton's code: The city council may require that plans for alterations, repairs, additions or changes be reviewed and approved or modified first. (A designated landmark, as a condition the council may impose. Normal maintenance and repair is excepted.) (§ 12.20.040); Demolition, removal or destruction may be prohibited unless the city council gives express written consent. (A designated landmark, as a condition the council may impose.) (§ 12.20.040).
General information, not legal advice.
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