Encinitas · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Encinitas

Encinitas sets its own rules for overnight RV parking on the street, rooftop solar permits and the number of dogs per parcel. Sheds, garages and other accessory structures fall under the city's accessory use regulations.

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Key points

Resident RVs: Residents with an annual overnight permit and proof of off-site storage may park their RV by their property in 48-hour nonconsecutive periods.
Guest RVs: Guests with an overnight permit may park an RV at most 7 consecutive days; an address gets at most 3 permits per 12 months.
Dogs: Encinitas allows at most 6 dogs per parcel in residential zoning districts or residential uses in other districts.
Rooftop solar: Encinitas gives small rooftop solar administrative review with one inspection; panels must meet height limits or not exceed an already-taller building's height.
Accessory buildings: Encinitas regulates sheds, garages and other accessory structures in its accessory use regulations, Ch. 30.48.

Each rule below is marked Encinitas code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

RV and boat parking

Encinitas code Residents with an annual overnight permit and proof of off-site storage may park their RV by their property in 48-hour nonconsecutive periods. Guests with an overnight permit may park an RV at most 7 consecutive days; an address gets at most 3 permits per 12 months.

All 3 Encinitas rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Encinitas code Encinitas gives small rooftop solar administrative review with one inspection; panels must meet height limits or not exceed an already-taller building's height.

All 3 Encinitas rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Encinitas code What Encinitas's code adds
Pet limit	No more than 6 dogs per parcel, with a stated exception. Applies: Residential zones, or residential uses in any other zone. § 4.04.070 · code text In residential zoning districts, or in conjunction with any residential uses in any other zoning district, not more than six dogs per parcel shall be permitted, with the following exception:

Building in a flood zone

Encinitas code What Encinitas's code adds
Floodplain permit	You need a development permit before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes. Applies: Applies within any area of special flood hazard. § 23.40.043 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 23.40.032.
Building in a floodway	No new construction or development, including fill, unless all development together raises base flood levels no more than 1 foot. Applies: Applies in Zones A1-30 and AE until a regulatory floodway is adopted. § 23.40.056 · code text Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones A1-30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the City of Encinitas. Fill, new construction, substantial improvements and other development are banned unless certified not to raise base flood levels. Applies: Applies within an adopted regulatory floodway. § 23.40.056 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the City of Encinitas shall prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development, unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating that the proposed encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor must be 2 feet above the base flood elevation. Applies: Applies to new or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones. § 23.40.051 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 zones, elevated two feet above the base flood elevation. The lowest floor must be 2 feet above the flood map depth number, measured from the highest adjacent ground. Applies: Applies to new or substantially improved homes in an AO zone where the flood map shows a depth number. § 23.40.051 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height two feet above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least four feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at least 4 feet above the highest adjacent ground. Applies: Applies to new or substantially improved homes in an AO zone where the flood map shows no depth number. § 23.40.051 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height two feet above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least four feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be 2 feet above the base flood elevation. Applies: Applies to new or substantially improved homes in an A zone where the flood map shows no base flood elevation. § 23.40.051 · code text In an A zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM (unnumbered A zone), elevated two feet above the base flood elevation; as determined under Section 23.40.042C.

Grading and erosion control

Encinitas code File an interim erosion and sediment control plan by September 15th and put its measures in place by October 1st. You need a grading permit to move or disturb more than 50 cubic yards of soil.

All 3 Encinitas rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →

Building on a hillside

Encinitas code You must submit a geological reconnaissance report. You must also submit a preliminary engineering geology report.

All 11 Encinitas rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →

Noise and construction hours

Encinitas code Construction equipment may run only from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Construction equipment may not run.

All 4 Encinitas rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
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)

Parking spaces required for homes

Encinitas code Any parking space beyond the first 2 may be enclosed or unenclosed. Tandem spaces: at least 8.5 ft by 36 ft unenclosed or 8.5 ft by 38 ft enclosed; no guest use.

All 10 Encinitas rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Encinitas code What Encinitas's code adds
When a permit can be revoked	Four or more violations in any 360-day period can lead to permit revocation; false information or unreported changes also count. § 6.30.070 · code text Four violations or more of subsection A or B of Section 6.30.060 within any 360-day period.

Signs on homes

Encinitas code Maximum 5 square feet. An additional 5 square feet is allowed at the second vehicle access point.

All 8 Encinitas rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

Encinitas code What Encinitas's code adds
Required collection service	Must use the regular solid waste collection service § 11.20.160 · code text All occupants shall dispose of solid waste through the regular solid waste collection service, and shall be liable for payment to the City, or to the franchisee, for solid waste collection charges.

Other Encinitas rules on this

Encinitas's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Accessory use regulations (Ch. 30.48)
Fire mitigation fee (Ch. 23.92)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Encinitas?

Encinitas regulates sheds, garages and other accessory structures in its accessory use regulations, Ch. 30.48. Encinitas also has a related rule: Accessory use regulations (Ch. 30.48).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Encinitas?

Encinitas allows at most 6 dogs per parcel in residential zoning districts or residential uses in other districts.

What are the rules for building in an Encinitas flood zone?

Encinitas's code: You need a development permit before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes. (Applies within any area of special flood hazard.) (§ 23.40.043); The lowest floor must be 2 feet above the base flood elevation. (Applies to new or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 23.40.051).

Can I run a family child care home in Encinitas?

California law sets this for every city, including Encinitas: 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 Encinitas?

Encinitas's code: Four or more violations in any 360-day period can lead to permit revocation; false information or unreported changes also count. (§ 6.30.070).

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Encinitas?

Encinitas's code: Must use the regular solid waste collection service (§ 11.20.160).

General information, not legal advice.

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