Fortuna · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Fortuna
Fortuna sets its own rules for home businesses and corner-lot fences, and has its own sections on accessory buildings. Some businesses, such as auto repair and cabinetmaking, may not run from a home.
Key points
- Home businesses: Fortuna allows home businesses using up to 25% of the floor area, with resident family members as the only workers.
- Corner lots: On residential corner lots, Fortuna limits fences, walls and hedges to 3 feet within 33 feet of the street lot line intersection.
- Accessory buildings: Fortuna has its own sections on accessory buildings and uses.
Each rule below is marked Fortuna code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Corner visibility |
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Running a business from home
Fortuna code Fortuna allows home businesses using up to 25% of the floor area, with resident family members as the only workers.
All 4 Fortuna rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| Solar permit process |
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Swimming pools
Fortuna code Openings no larger than 4 inches. At least 6 feet tall.
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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| Height of the lowest floor |
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| When a remodel must meet flood rules |
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Garage and yard sales
Fortuna code Sales may run only from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A sale may last no more than 3 days in a row.
All 4 Fortuna rules on garage and yard sales, 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 |
Other Fortuna rules on this
Fortuna's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Accessory buildings and uses (§ 17.06.001–17.06.002)
- Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 17.09.020)
- Traffic impact fee (§ 17.06.190)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Fortuna?
On residential corner lots, Fortuna limits fences, walls and hedges to 3 feet within 33 feet of the street lot line intersection.
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Fortuna?
Fortuna has its own sections on accessory buildings and uses. Fortuna also has a related rule: Accessory buildings and uses (§ 17.06.001–17.06.002).
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Fortuna?
Fortuna's code: Fast administrative review; permit in 1 to 3 business days when a complete application meets the checklist and standard plan. (Applies to small rooftop home solar systems.) (§ 15.67.060).
What are the rules for building in a Fortuna flood zone?
Fortuna's code: You need a development permit before any construction or other development starts in any special flood hazard area. (§ 15.56.010); The lowest floor, including basement, must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in unnumbered A, A1 – A30, AE or AH zones.) (§ 15.58.010).
Can I run a family child care home in Fortuna?
California law sets this for every city, including Fortuna: 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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