Davis · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Davis
Davis sets fence heights by yard and corner lot, and ties accessory-structure height and size to the rear yard and the main building. Living in an RV has a separate city rule.
Key points
- Fences: Fences, walls and hedges: at most 7 feet behind required front yard setback; at most 4 feet in any yard except on corner lots.
- Accessory structures: Accessory structures are at most 15 feet tall and cover at most 30% of the required rear yard, paved parking included.
- Home businesses: Home businesses are limited to 25% of the area of one floor, except cottage food operations.
- Hens: Up to 6 hens, or 6 hens and pigeons combined, are allowed in a clean pen at least 40 feet from any other home.
- Quiet hours: Quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Sun-Thu, 12:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Fri-Sat; sound heard inside another home needs its occupants' permission.
- Garage sales: Garage and yard sales run 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., for no more than 2 days in a row and 3 sales per year.
Each rule below is marked Davis code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Davis code Fences, walls and hedges: at most 7 feet behind required front yard setback; at most 4 feet in any yard except on corner lots.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Davis code Accessory structures are at most 15 feet tall and cover at most 30% of the required rear yard, paved parking included.
All 16 Davis rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Davis code Home businesses are limited to 25% of the area of one floor, except cottage food operations.
All 6 Davis rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|---|
| Review time |
|
Tree removal
Davis code A violation is a misdemeanor. A civil penalty equal to the tree's value, using the ISA Guide for Plant Appraisal or another approved method.
Pets, chickens and bees
Davis code Up to 6 hens, or 6 hens and pigeons combined, are allowed in a clean pen at least 40 feet from any other home.
All 6 Davis rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Noise and construction hours
| Quiet hours |
|
|---|---|
| Noise limit at homes |
|
Outdoor lighting
| Shielding |
|
|---|
Garage and yard sales
| Hours |
|
|---|---|
| How long a sale may last |
|
| Sales per year |
|
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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Davis code A service charge set by city council resolution. 6 in a 12-month period. A service charge applies to each one after that.
All 4 Davis rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Davis code Subscribe to collection for gray container waste, green and dark blue container organic waste, source separated non-organic recyclables, and cardboard. Exempt from the mandatory requirement to subscribe and participate in the city's collection services.
All 6 Davis rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Davis rules on this
Davis's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Living or sleeping in an RV (§ 40.26.312)
- Private swimming and decorative pools (§ 40.26.350) — residential districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Davis?
Davis's code: Plan review and all required permits over the counter or within 1 business day. (Walk-in applications for small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 8.21.040); You may submit applications electronically by email, online or by fax. (Applies to EV charging station permit applications.) (§ 8.23.040).
What are the rules for building in a Davis flood zone?
Davis's code: A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in any special flood hazard area. (Applications may cover structures, fill, storage of materials and drainage facilities.) (§ 8.06.010); The lowest floor, including basement, must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New construction and substantial improvements in special flood hazard areas.) (§ 8.07.010).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Davis?
Quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Sun-Thu, 12:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Fri-Sat; sound heard inside another home needs its occupants' permission.
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Davis?
Davis's code: Fixtures must be fully shielded. (New fixtures on private property used for commercial, industrial or multifamily purposes. Does not cover single-family homes.) (§ 8.17.030); Must use a very narrow cone of light. (Fixtures lighting flags, statues or other objects mounted on a pole, pedestal or platform.) (§ 8.17.030).
What are the garage sale rules in Davis?
Garage and yard sales run 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., for no more than 2 days in a row and 3 sales per year.
Can I run a family child care home in Davis?
California law sets this for every city, including Davis: 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.
Ask about a specific Davis property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question