Half Moon Bay · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay sets its own size, height and setback rules for detached accessory structures. Small, low structures may stand in the required rear yard setback, and larger ones need greater setbacks.
Key points
- Rear yard sheds: In Half Moon Bay's rear yard setback, detached accessory structures are limited to 8 ft and 250 sq ft, 5 ft from lot lines.
- Larger structures: Larger Half Moon Bay accessory structures, over 250 sq ft and 12 ft, need 10-ft rear and 5-ft side setbacks.
Each rule below is marked Half Moon Bay code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Half Moon Bay code In Half Moon Bay's rear yard setback, detached accessory structures are limited to 8 ft and 250 sq ft, 5 ft from lot lines. Larger Half Moon Bay accessory structures, over 250 sq ft and 12 ft, need 10-ft rear and 5-ft side setbacks.
All 4 Half Moon Bay rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Half Moon Bay code Not allowed between 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Not allowed on a public street once detached, except while loading, unloading or making emergency repairs.
All 3 Half Moon Bay rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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|---|---|
| Review time |
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Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
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| Height of the lowest floor |
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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 |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Half Moon Bay code The fee is 20% of the building permit valuation of the market rate units. The fee is 20% of the building permit valuation of the market rate units.
All 8 Half Moon Bay rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Half Moon Bay code Parking may be allowed on all-weather driveways within the required front yard in front of garages. Not to exceed 24 hours in any 30-day period.
All 4 Half Moon Bay rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Half Moon Bay code An audible alarm must stop sounding within 10 minutes. Charges are set by city council resolution.
All 5 Half Moon Bay rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
| For-sale and open-house signs |
|
|---|
Trash and recycling carts
Half Moon Bay code Subscribe to a solid waste collection service for all solid waste generated. Within twenty-four hours following pickup
All 4 Half Moon Bay rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
| Changing a historic home |
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|---|---|
| Demolishing an older or historic home |
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Other Half Moon Bay rules on this
Half Moon Bay's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Draining a pool into the sewer (§ 13.20.170)
- Permit to remove or prune a heritage tree (Ch. 7.40)
- Construction hours (Ch. 14.40)
- Offensive and disturbing noise (Ch. 9.23)
- Permit for amplified sound (§ 9.31.010)
- Traffic mitigation fee (§ 14.35.040)
- Park facility development fee (§ 18.34.030)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Half Moon Bay?
Half Moon Bay's code: Within 3 business days. (Complete application filed electronically.) (§ 14.60.060); Nondiscretionary building permit issued on receipt of a complete application meeting the approved checklist and standard plan. (§ 14.70.060).
What are the rules for building in a Half Moon Bay flood zone?
Half Moon Bay's code: You need a development permit before any construction or development starts in a special flood hazard area. (§ 14.34.130); The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in an A zone; the base flood elevation is set by a method in the code.) (§ 14.34.170).
Can I run a family child care home in Half Moon Bay?
California law sets this for every city, including Half Moon Bay: 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 Half Moon Bay?
Half Moon Bay's code: 1 per parcel. (Multifamily.) (§ 15.50.050); 16 sq. ft. (Multifamily.) (§ 15.50.050).
What rules apply to a historic home in Half Moon Bay?
Half Moon Bay's code: A historic preservation permit is required. (Addition to, or exterior alteration of, a designated historic resource.) (§ 14.39.080); Owner must give a qualified professional's evidence of an unrepairable hazard, or a statement of no viable economic use. (Before a demolition permit for a building or object on the historic resources inventory; also a statement it was offered as a donation for relocation.) (§ 18.39.045).
General information, not legal advice.
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