Folsom · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Folsom

Folsom sets fence and accessory-building limits for its Historic District. It also requires a permit to run a business from home.

Ask about building on your lot in Folsom See coverage

Key points

Fence height: In the H-D Historic District, Folsom limits fences to 42 inches in front yards and 6 feet in rear and side yards.
Accessory buildings: In the historic district, Folsom limits accessory buildings to 15 feet, no taller than the main building, and 50% of the required rear yard.
Home businesses: Folsom requires a home occupation permit to run a business from home.

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

Fences and walls

Folsom code What Folsom's code adds
Front yard height	Front yard fences may be no more than 42 inches tall. Applies: Only in the H-D Historic District. § 17.52.440 · code text Fence height in front yards shall not exceed 42 inches in height.
Side and rear yard height	Side and rear yard fences may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Only in the H-D Historic District. § 17.52.440 · code text Rear and side yard fencing shall not exceed 6 feet in height.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Folsom code In the historic district, Folsom limits accessory buildings to 15 feet, no taller than the main building, and 50% of the required rear yard.

All 7 Folsom rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

Folsom code What Folsom's code adds
Permit	A home occupation permit is required. § 17.61.080 · code text The decision of the planning, inspections and permitting department concerning the issuance or denial of a home occupation permit shall be final unless an appeal is submitted in writing

RV and boat parking

Folsom code What Folsom's code adds
Parking on the street	No storing on the street; the vehicle must move at least 1 mile within every 72 hours in a row. Applies: Applies to RVs and utility trailers on any city street. § 10.20.280 · code text A recreational vehicle or utility trailer shall be considered stored when it has been left standing upon a street without having been moved at least one mile within a seventy-two-consecutive-hour period. A 72-hour extension permit may be requested up to 4 times per year. Applies: Only if the vehicle and parking spot pose no public hazard. § 10.20.280 · code text A person may request, up to a maximum of four times per year, a seventy-two-hour extension permit from the city to park a recreational vehicle or utility trailer on the street; provided, that the size and the condition of the recreational vehicle or utility trailer and the parking location do not otherwise pose a public hazard.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Folsom code What Folsom's code adds
EV charger permit	The chief building official approves a complete application and issues all permits; the charger stays unpowered until city approval. Applies: Applies to installing an electric vehicle charging station. § 14.35.040 · code text Upon confirmation by the chief building official that the permit application and supporting documents are complete and meet the requirements of the application checklist, and that the application is consistent with all applicable laws, the chief building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all necessary permits.
Solar permit process	Fast administrative review; e-mail or fax filing; permits issue when a complete application meets the checklist and fees are paid. Applies: Applies to small rooftop home solar systems eligible for fast review. § 14.34.050 · code text Upon confirmation by the building division that the application and supporting documentation, including payment of applicable fees, is complete and meets the requirements of the checklist, the building division shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.

Tree removal

Folsom code Emergency removal of limbs or trees damaged by extreme weather, chance events or accidents beyond the owner's control. Removing a dead or dying protected tree, as an arborist finds or the city arborist verifies, if replacement is done.

All 17 Folsom rules on tree removal, with the code text →

Swimming pools

Folsom code What Folsom's code adds
Permit	An encroachment permit is required before digging if equipment will cross sidewalks or other public improvements. Applies: Applies to pool excavation where equipment crosses existing sidewalks or other public improvements. § 12.20.050 · code text Prior to the commencement of any excavation associated with construction of a swimming pool, where excavation or other equipment, including but not limited to high lifts, front end loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, bobcats, skip loaders, and tractors, will traverse existing sidewalks or other public improvements, an encroachment permit shall be obtained.

Pets, chickens and bees

Folsom code Yes, up to 6 chickens as pets; no roosters. At least 5 feet from any property line and 20 feet from neighboring homes.

All 6 Folsom rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Grading and erosion control

Folsom code You need a grading permit for more than 50 cubic yards of fill on any one lot. You need a grading permit for more than 25 cubic yards of fill on any one lot.

All 5 Folsom rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →

Building on a hillside

Folsom code What Folsom's code adds
Soils or geology report	Submit engineering geology and soil engineering reports with the grading plan; a city-hired expert reviews them at your cost. Applies: Hillside grading that needs an engineered grading plan: cut and fill over 500 cubic yards, or removing a protected tree. § 14.33.150 · code text An engineering geologist certified by the state of California and/or a geotechnical engineer licensed by the state of California shall be retained by the city, and paid for by the applicant, to review the engineering geology report and soil engineering report submitted with the engineered grading plan.

Noise and construction hours

Folsom code What Folsom's code adds
Noise limit at homes	Noise may not exceed 50 dBA. Applies: Outdoors at a home, daytime (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.); for more than 30 minutes in any hour. § 8.42.040 · code text \| 1 \| 30 \| 50 \| 45 \| Noise may not exceed 45 dBA. Applies: Outdoors at a home, nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.); for more than 30 minutes in any hour. § 8.42.040 · code text \| 1 \| 30 \| 50 \| 45 \| Noise may not exceed 55 dBA. Applies: Outdoors at a home, daytime (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.); for more than 15 minutes in any hour. § 8.42.040 · code text \| 2 \| 15 \| 55 \| 50 \| Noise may not exceed 50 dBA. Applies: Outdoors at a home, nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.); for more than 15 minutes in any hour. § 8.42.040 · code text \| 2 \| 15 \| 55 \| 50 \| Noise may not exceed 60 dBA. Applies: Outdoors at a home, daytime (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.); for more than 5 minutes in any hour. § 8.42.040 · code text \| 3 \| 5 \| 60 \| 55 \| Noise may not exceed 55 dBA. Applies: Outdoors at a home, nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.); for more than 5 minutes in any hour. § 8.42.040 · code text \| 3 \| 5 \| 60 \| 55 \| Noise may not exceed 65 dBA. Applies: Outdoors at a home, daytime (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.); for more than 1 minute in any hour. § 8.42.040 · code text \| 4 \| 1 \| 65 \| 60 \| Noise may not exceed 60 dBA. Applies: Outdoors at a home, nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.); for more than 1 minute in any hour. § 8.42.040 · code text \| 4 \| 1 \| 65 \| 60 \| Noise may not exceed 70 dBA. Applies: Outdoors at a home, daytime (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.); at any time. § 8.42.040 · code text \| 5 \| 0 \| 70 \| 65 \| Noise may not exceed 65 dBA. Applies: Outdoors at a home, nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.); at any time. § 8.42.040 · code text \| 5 \| 0 \| 70 \| 65 \| Noise may not exceed 45 dBA. Applies: Inside a home, daytime (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.); for more than 5 minutes in any hour. § 8.42.050 · code text \| 1 \| 5 \| 45 \| 35 \| Noise may not exceed 35 dBA. Applies: Inside a home, nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.); for more than 5 minutes in any hour. § 8.42.050 · code text \| 1 \| 5 \| 45 \| 35 \| Noise may not exceed 50 dBA. Applies: Inside a home, daytime (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.); for more than 1 minute in any hour. § 8.42.050 · code text \| 2 \| 1 \| 50 \| 40 \| Noise may not exceed 40 dBA. Applies: Inside a home, nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.); for more than 1 minute in any hour. § 8.42.050 · code text \| 2 \| 1 \| 50 \| 40 \| Noise may not exceed 55 dBA. Applies: Inside a home, daytime (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.); at any time. § 8.42.050 · code text \| 3 \| 0 \| 55 \| 45 \| Noise may not exceed 45 dBA. Applies: Inside a home, nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.); at any time. § 8.42.050 · code text \| 3 \| 0 \| 55 \| 45 \|

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)

Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)

Folsom code The in-lieu fee is calculated from the square footage of residential space of each dwelling unit in the project. The fee is the applicable in-lieu fee per unit in effect when building permits are issued.

All 5 Folsom rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →

Parking spaces required for homes

Folsom code Spaces must be outside front yard and street side yard setbacks and reachable along a paved surface or similar hardscape. One of the spaces must be available for guest parking (unassigned).

All 5 Folsom rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

Folsom code Organic waste goes in standard plastic green containers. Green waste no more than 4 inches in diameter and not above the container lid.

All 11 Folsom rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →

Historic homes

Folsom code Buildings built 50 or more years before the demolition application. Exempt from review.

All 4 Folsom rules on historic homes, with the code text →

Other Folsom rules on this

Folsom'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. 14.32)
Park improvement fee for new homes (§ 4.10.040)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Folsom?

In the H-D Historic District, Folsom limits fences to 42 inches in front yards and 6 feet in rear and side yards.

Can I run a business from my home in Folsom?

Folsom requires a home occupation permit to run a business from home.

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Folsom?

Folsom's code: Fast administrative review; e-mail or fax filing; permits issue when a complete application meets the checklist and fees are paid. (Applies to small rooftop home solar systems eligible for fast review.) (§ 14.34.050); The chief building official approves a complete application and issues all permits; the charger stays unpowered until city approval. (Applies to installing an electric vehicle charging station.) (§ 14.35.040).

What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Folsom?

Folsom's code: Submit engineering geology and soil engineering reports with the grading plan; a city-hired expert reviews them at your cost. (Hillside grading that needs an engineered grading plan: cut and fill over 500 cubic yards, or removing a protected tree.) (§ 14.33.150).

What are the noise rules and construction hours in Folsom?

Folsom's code: Noise may not exceed 50 dBA. (Outdoors at a home, daytime (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.); for more than 30 minutes in any hour.) (§ 8.42.040); Noise may not exceed 45 dBA. (Outdoors at a home, nighttime (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.); for more than 30 minutes in any hour.) (§ 8.42.040).

Can I run a family child care home in Folsom?

California law sets this for every city, including Folsom: 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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