Gilroy · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Gilroy

Gilroy sets its own limits for accessory structures and home businesses, and a visibility limit for corner lots. Accessory structure height depends on how close the structure stands to a property line.

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Key points

Accessory structures: Gilroy limits residential accessory structures to 1 story and 12 ft, or 7 ft within 3 ft of a side or rear property line.
Home businesses: Gilroy home businesses may have at most 2 clients at a time and 1 nonresident employee; beauty parlors and clinics are not allowed.
Corner lots: On Gilroy corner lots, hedges, shrubs and other view obstructions are limited to 3 ft above curb level within a 20-ft corner triangle.

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

Fences and walls

Gilroy code What Gilroy's code adds
Corner visibility	No hedge, shrub or other view obstruction higher than 3 feet above the street curb. Applies: Corner lots: between the curb line and property line, and in the triangle with points 20 feet from the corner on the property lines. § 20.60 · code text It shall be unlawful for the owner or occupant of any corner lot or premises in the city to install, set out, maintain, permit or allow the installation, setting out, maintenance or existence of any hedge, shrubbery or other obstructions to the view higher than three feet above the adjacent street curb level

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Gilroy code Gilroy limits residential accessory structures to 1 story and 12 ft, or 7 ft within 3 ft of a side or rear property line.

All 5 Gilroy rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

Gilroy code Gilroy home businesses may have at most 2 clients at a time and 1 nonresident employee; beauty parlors and clinics are not allowed.

All 10 Gilroy rules on running a business from home, with the code text →

RV and boat parking

Gilroy code What Gilroy's code adds
Size limit	Oversized means over 22 feet long, 7 feet high or 7 feet wide. Applies: Such vehicles may not park on any street or public property, except up to 48 hours in a row for loading, unloading, cleaning or repair. § 15.62 · code text For the purpose of this section, the term “oversized vehicle” shall mean any vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds twenty-two (22) feet in length, or seven (7) feet in height (including any load or accessory thereon), or seven (7) feet in width, exclusive of any projecting lights or devices allowed by the provisions of the California Vehicle Code.
Parking on the street	At most 48 hours in a row. Applies: Oversized vehicles on streets or public property, for loading, unloading, cleaning or routine repair; no more than once in any 14 days. § 15.62 · code text It shall be unlawful for any person to park an oversized vehicle or special mobile equipment on any public or private street, public off-street parking lot, or any other public property, except for a maximum of forty-eight (48) consecutive hours for loading, unloading, cleaning, and routine maintenance and repair, or in conjunction with a permitted construction project.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Gilroy code The building official approves an application meeting the city's checklist and issues all permits; electronic submittal and signatures accepted. The panel array may not exceed the maximum legal building height in the zoning code.

All 4 Gilroy rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →

Tree removal

Gilroy code Non-native tree species and orchards, including single fruit and nut trees, are not protected trees. No separate tree removal permit is needed.

All 7 Gilroy rules on tree removal, with the code text →

Swimming pools

Gilroy code What Gilroy's code adds
Pool barrier	Fencing must enclose all pool areas, as the state Swimming Pool Safety Act requires. Applies: All swimming pool areas. § 30.36.30 · code text Fencing shall be provided to enclose all swimming pool areas as required by the “Swimming Pool Safety Act” (California Health and Safety Code Sections 115920 through 115928).
Setback from property lines	At least 3 feet from any side or rear property line; not in the front yard setback. Applies: Pool mechanical equipment, mounting pads and enclosures. § 30.36.40 · code text Swimming pool mechanical equipment, mounting pads, and/or enclosures shall not be located within three (3) feet of any side or rear property line, or within the front yard setback.

Pets, chickens and bees

Gilroy code No more than 2 adult animals and their young per acre; at least 1 acre required. At least 100 feet from any school, church, hospital or others' dwelling; at least 30 feet from streets except alleys.

All 4 Gilroy rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Gilroy code What Gilroy's code adds
Floodplain permit	You need a development permit before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes. Applies: Applies in any special flood hazard area. § 27E.15 · 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 27E.7.
Building in a floodway	No fill, construction or other encroachment unless a registered civil engineer certifies it will not raise base flood levels. Applies: Applies within an adopted regulatory floodway. § 27E.22 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the City of Gilroy 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. 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. § 27E.22 · 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 (1) foot at any point within the City of Gilroy.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor, including basement, must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in Zones AE, AH and A1-30. § 27E.17 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 Zones, elevated at least one (1) foot above the base flood elevation. Lowest floor: above the highest adjacent ground, at least 1 foot above the flood map depth number. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO Zone where the flood map shows a depth number. § 27E.17 · code text In an AO Zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height of at least one (1) foot above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least three (3) feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at least 3 feet above the highest adjacent ground. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO Zone where the flood map shows no depth number. § 27E.17 · code text In an AO Zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height of at least one (1) foot above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least three (3) feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor, including basement, must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A Zone, where the flood map shows no base flood elevation. § 27E.17 · code text In an A Zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM (unnumbered A Zone), elevated at least one (1) foot above the base flood elevation determined under section 27E.14(c).

Building on a hillside

Gilroy code Buildings may be no taller than 30 feet. Buildings may be no taller than 15 feet.

All 4 Gilroy rules on building on a hillside, 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

Gilroy code Each space at least 10 ft by 20 ft. 1 stall for every 4 units.

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

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Gilroy code Minimum $195 per incident, or as set by council resolution. Not more than $500 for a single incident.

All 6 Gilroy rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Signs on homes

Gilroy code What Gilroy's code adds
For-sale and open-house signs	maximum four (4) feet high and two and one-half (2 1/2) feet wide Applies: Portable freestanding signs, including portable open house real estate signs § 30.37.90 · code text Except as otherwise limited, the maximum height for a portable sign shall be four (4) feet, with a maximum width of two and one-half (2 1/2) feet. Put up only when the property is open for showing; take down otherwise. Off-site signs allowed. Applies: Portable open house real estate signs, in all districts except the downtown historic district and downtown expansion district. § 30.37.90 · code text Portable open house signs may only be erected on the day(s) and time on which the property is available for public showing and shall be taken down during all other times;

Trash and recycling carts

Gilroy code What Gilroy's code adds
Required collection service	You must subscribe to and use the city's garbage collection service. Applies: Places and premises in Gilroy where garbage is created, accumulated or produced. § 12.16 · code text It shall be mandatory for all owners, occupants or persons in possession, charge or control of all places and premises in the City of Gilroy in or from which garbage is created, accumulated or produced to subscribe to and use the city’s garbage collection service in the manner and according to the terms and provisions of this chapter, and failure to do so shall be unlawful.

Historic homes

Gilroy code A demolition request for a building over 50 years old gets a 30-day review before the permit. The historic heritage committee and planning commission review it. The commission denies it or recommends approval to the city council.

All 6 Gilroy rules on historic homes, with the code text →

Other Gilroy rules on this

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

Construction hours (§ 16.38)
Noise limits for pool, spa and air conditioning equipment (§ 30.41.31)
Public facilities impact fee (§ 21.162)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Gilroy?

On Gilroy corner lots, hedges, shrubs and other view obstructions are limited to 3 ft above curb level within a 20-ft corner triangle.

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Gilroy?

Gilroy's code: Oversized means over 22 feet long, 7 feet high or 7 feet wide. (Such vehicles may not park on any street or public property, except up to 48 hours in a row for loading, unloading, cleaning or repair.) (§ 15.62).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Gilroy?

Gilroy's code: Fencing must enclose all pool areas, as the state Swimming Pool Safety Act requires. (All swimming pool areas.) (§ 30.36.30); At least 3 feet from any side or rear property line; not in the front yard setback. (Pool mechanical equipment, mounting pads and enclosures.) (§ 30.36.40).

What are the rules for building in a Gilroy flood zone?

Gilroy's code: You need a development permit before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes. (Applies in any special flood hazard area.) (§ 27E.15); The lowest floor, including basement, must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in Zones AE, AH and A1-30.) (§ 27E.17).

Can I run a family child care home in Gilroy?

California law sets this for every city, including Gilroy: 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)).

What signs may I put up at my home in Gilroy?

Gilroy's code: maximum four (4) feet high and two and one-half (2 1/2) feet wide (Portable freestanding signs, including portable open house real estate signs) (§ 30.37.90); Put up only when the property is open for showing; take down otherwise. Off-site signs allowed. (Portable open house real estate signs, in all districts except the downtown historic district and downtown expansion district.) (§ 30.37.90).

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

Gilroy's code: You must subscribe to and use the city's garbage collection service. (Places and premises in Gilroy where garbage is created, accumulated or produced.) (§ 12.16).

General information, not legal advice.

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