Danville · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Danville
Danville sets its own height and setback limits for accessory structures and requires a permit for fences in a right-of-way. Accessory limits depend on the structure type and its distance from side and rear property lines.
Key points
- Fence permit: Danville requires a permit to put a fence, hedge or similar structure in a right-of-way, with some exceptions.
- Accessory structures: Danville limits accessory structures to 15 feet, or 12 feet within 10 feet of a side or rear line; portable sheds, 8 feet.
Each rule below is marked Danville code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Permit |
|
|---|
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Danville code Danville limits accessory structures to 15 feet, or 12 feet within 10 feet of a side or rear line; portable sheds, 8 feet.
All 24 Danville rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Danville code You may submit permit applications electronically. Only 1 inspection is required.
All 5 Danville rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Danville code The permit fee is waived, but a tree removal permit is still required. The permit fee is waived with evidence the tree is dead or dying; a tree removal permit is still required.
Building in a flood zone
| Building in a floodway |
|
|---|---|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Grading and erosion control
Danville code All cut and fill slopes must be planted under an erosion-control plan approved by the Town Engineer. Excavation for basements and footings of a structure with a valid building permit (not the fill made from it, and not an excavation over five (5') feet unsupported height); fills not intended to support structures, under three (3') feet deep, not over one hundred (100) cubic yards, on natural slopes flatter than five (5') horizontal to one (1') vertical and at least three (3') feet from a property line; excavations under three (3') feet deep moving no more than one hundred (100) cubic yards, with no cut slope over five (5') feet high or steeper than three (3') horizontal to one (1') vertical, at least five (5') feet (or one-half the height of a nearby building, retaining structure or slope, if greater) from a property line
All 3 Danville rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
Danville code A preliminary geotechnical and soils report is required. Moving 25 cubic yards of soil or more needs a hillside grading permit.
All 8 Danville rules on building on a hillside, 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 |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Danville code The affordability term is 20 years. Projects built consistent with the Density Bonus Ordinance or California State Density Bonus Law are treated as meeting all requirements.
All 7 Danville rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Danville code At least 1 covered space per dwelling unit. 1/4 space per dwelling unit.
All 5 Danville rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| Alarm permit |
|
|---|
Historic homes
Danville code Over 50 years old, with historic integrity and meeting at least one listed criterion. A contiguous area of parcels over 50 years old, meeting at least one listed criterion.
All 3 Danville rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Danville rules on this
Danville's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Parking oversized vehicles and trailers on residential streets (§ 8-18) — on public streets in residential areas
- Noise control rules (§ 4-2)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Danville?
Danville requires a permit to put a fence, hedge or similar structure in a right-of-way, with some exceptions.
What are the rules for building in a Danville flood zone?
Danville's code: The lowest floor, including basement, must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New residential construction or substantial improvement.) (§ 32-117.34); No encroachment, including fill and new construction, unless a registered engineer or architect certifies no flood level rise. (Applies in designated floodways, for flood levels during the base flood discharge.) (§ 32-117.39).
Can I run a family child care home in Danville?
California law sets this for every city, including Danville: 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)).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Danville?
Danville's code: A valid alarm permit is required for each alarm site. The Town Council may set application and renewal fees. (Renewal fee applies if applicable.) (§ 5-3.3).
General information, not legal advice.
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