Colusa County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Colusa County
Colusa County's code applies only in unincorporated areas and sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures, home businesses and pets, plus fast permits for rooftop solar and EV chargers. Family child care homes follow state law.
Key points
- Fence height: Residential fences: at most 3 ft in the front setback (4 ft in R-R if at least 75% open), 7 ft in other setbacks.
- Building height: Any structure, accessory ones included, is limited to 30 ft in the R-R, R-1 and R-2 zones.
- Accessory setbacks: Accessory structures need a 5 ft rear setback, and detached accessory buildings must be at least 5 feet from any building.
- Home business: A home business may use at most 25% of the home's floor space or 50% of an accessory building; no employees beyond resident family.
- Pets: Residential zones allow up to 4 small pets, 6 on parcels over 10,000 sq ft, and 8 on parcels over 1 acre.
- Rooftop solar: Small rooftop solar permits that meet the checklist are issued the same day over the counter, or in 1 to 3 business days electronically.
Each rule below is marked Colusa County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Colusa County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Colusa County have their own codes and their own pages.
Fences and walls
Colusa County code Residential fences: at most 3 ft in the front setback (4 ft in R-R if at least 75% open), 7 ft in other setbacks.
All 5 Colusa County rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Colusa County code Any structure, accessory ones included, is limited to 30 ft in the R-R, R-1 and R-2 zones. Accessory structures need a 5 ft rear setback, and detached accessory buildings must be at least 5 feet from any building.
All 4 Colusa County rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Colusa County code A home business may use at most 25% of the home's floor space or 50% of an accessory building; no employees beyond resident family.
All 7 Colusa County rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Colusa County code Small rooftop solar permits that meet the checklist are issued the same day over the counter, or in 1 to 3 business days electronically.
All 5 Colusa County rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Colusa County code Residential zones allow up to 4 small pets, 6 on parcels over 10,000 sq ft, and 8 on parcels over 1 acre.
All 4 Colusa County rules on pets, chickens and bees, 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 |
Trash and recycling carts
| Where carts are kept |
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Other Colusa County rules on this
Colusa County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Flood damage prevention (Ch. 33)
- Noise limits (Ch. 13)
- Outdoor lighting: shielding and light trespass (§ 44-3.30.010)
- County development impact fees (Ch. 38)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a family child care home in Colusa County?
California law sets this for every city, including Colusa 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 Colusa County?
Colusa County's code: Not below ground level. (§ 32-2).
General information, not legal advice.
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