El Dorado County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in El Dorado County
El Dorado County's code applies only in unincorporated areas. It sets its own rules for home occupations and has its own section on fences, walls and retaining walls.
Key points
- Home businesses: In unincorporated El Dorado County, home occupations that meet county standards are allowed by right; others need an administrative or conditional use permit.
- Fences and walls: El Dorado County has its own section on fences, walls and retaining walls.
Each rule below is marked El Dorado County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
El Dorado County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in El Dorado County have their own codes and their own pages.
Running a business from home
El Dorado County code In unincorporated El Dorado County, home occupations that meet county standards are allowed by right; others need an administrative or conditional use permit.
All 13 El Dorado County rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|
Tree removal
El Dorado County code Exempt: dead, dying or diseased trees documented as hazardous vegetation, and trees fallen or damaged by natural disasters or incidents. Exempt: fire safe activities and fuel modification outside defensible space.
All 12 El Dorado County rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Swimming pools
| Pool barrier |
|
|---|---|
| Drain safety |
|
Grading and erosion control
| Grading without a permit |
|
|---|
Noise and construction hours
El Dorado County code 55 dBA hourly Leq. 50 dBA hourly Leq.
All 17 El Dorado County rules on noise and construction hours, 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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
El Dorado County code The Board of Supervisors sets the fine amount from time to time by resolution. More than 2 false alarms.
All 3 El Dorado County rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
El Dorado County code Street address signs on structures and building identification signs consistent with the county building code or Municipal Code. Signs warning against trespass, hunting or shooting, up to 2 square feet per sign.
All 5 El Dorado County rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
El Dorado County code Remove within 12 hours after collection. No earlier than 12 hours before the normal collection time
All 3 El Dorado County rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other El Dorado County rules on this
El Dorado County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Fences, walls and retaining walls (Sec. 130.30.070)
- Raising and keeping farm animals (§ 130.40.080)
- Flood damage prevention (Ch. 130.32)
- Building on steep slopes (§ 130.30.080)
- Outdoor lighting shielding (§ 130.34.020)
- Traffic impact fee (Ch. 12.28)
- Special district impact fees (Ch. 13.20)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in El Dorado County?
El Dorado County has its own section on fences, walls and retaining walls. El Dorado County also has a related rule: Fences, walls and retaining walls (Sec. 130.30.070).
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in El Dorado County?
El Dorado County's code: You can submit the permit application and documents electronically. (For all applicants eligible for expedited review of electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 110.70.040); Administrative, ministerial review by the Building Official; the permit can issue once the application meets all EV Checklist requirements. (EV charging stations; allowed as an accessory use in residential zones that have an established primary use.) (§ 110.70.060).
What are the pool fence and setback rules in El Dorado County?
El Dorado County's code: The enclosure must separate the pool, spa or hot tub from surrounding properties. (Pools, spas and hot tubs in unincorporated areas.) (§ 110.16.140).
What are the grading rules in El Dorado County?
El Dorado County's code: Home or accessory structure grading: under 250 cubic yards, cuts under 5 feet, fills under 3 feet; permitted foundation digs. (Soil disturbance under 10,000 square feet, plus other limits; not in the Tahoe Basin or where it could endanger buildings, roads or watercourses.) (§ 110.14.140).
Can I run a family child care home in El Dorado County?
California law sets this for every city, including El Dorado 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)).
General information, not legal advice.
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