Healdsburg · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Healdsburg

Healdsburg sets its own limits for fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard and the zoning district, and accessory structure setbacks depend on the district.

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Key points

Fence height: Healdsburg limits required front yard fences to 4 ft in most districts; rear and interior side yards 6 ft plus 2 ft lattice.
Accessory structures: Healdsburg limits accessory structures to 12 ft, or 18 ft with written director findings; side and rear setbacks depend on the district.
Home businesses: Healdsburg home businesses need director approval and may have at most 2 nonresident employees and 2 visitor vehicles on the street at once.

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

Fences and walls

Healdsburg code Healdsburg limits required front yard fences to 4 ft in most districts; rear and interior side yards 6 ft plus 2 ft lattice.

All 8 Healdsburg rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Healdsburg code Healdsburg limits accessory structures to 12 ft, or 18 ft with written director findings; side and rear setbacks depend on the district.

All 10 Healdsburg rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

Healdsburg code Healdsburg home businesses need director approval and may have at most 2 nonresident employees and 2 visitor vehicles on the street at once.

All 9 Healdsburg rules on running a business from home, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Healdsburg code What Healdsburg's code adds
EV charger permit	The city issues permits when the application meets its checklist; electronic applications and signatures are accepted. Applies: Applies to EV charging stations; the station may not be energized or used until the city approves it. § 15.19.060 · code text A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the City's checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed.
Review time	Same day for over-the-counter applications; 1 to 3 business days for electronic applications. Applies: Applies to complete small residential rooftop solar applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan. § 15.18.060 · code text The department shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit the same day for over-the-counter applications, or for electronic applications, within one to three business days of receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Pets, chickens and bees

Healdsburg code What Healdsburg's code adds
Large animals	Livestock may be kept only where the city's zoning code expressly allows it. Applies: Applies within city limits. § 6.04.290 · code text No person shall stable, keep, pasture, or maintain livestock within the City limits of the City, unless expressly allowed to do so by the City's zoning ordinance.

Building in a flood zone

Healdsburg code What Healdsburg's code adds
Floodplain permit	You need a development permit before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. Applies: Applications must give details on structures, grading, fill, drainage, utilities, floodways, elevations and floodproofing. § 17.28.140 · 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 HMC § 17.28.080.
Building in a floodway	No fill, construction, substantial improvement or development unless a registered civil engineer certifies no flood level rise. Applies: Within an adopted regulatory floodway. § 17.28.210 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the City of Healdsburg 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 development or fill is allowed unless all development together raises the base flood no more than 1 foot. Applies: Zones A1-30 and AE, before a regulatory floodway is adopted. § 17.28.210 · 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 Healdsburg.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones. § 17.28.160 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 zones, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation. The lowest floor must be above the highest nearby ground by at least the FIRM depth number. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with a depth number. § 17.28.160 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least one foot above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the highest nearby ground. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone when the FIRM gives no depth number. § 17.28.160 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least one foot above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone, where the FIRM shows no base flood elevation. § 17.28.160 · code text In an A zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM (unnumbered A zone), elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation; as determined under HMC § 17.28.130(C).

Grading and erosion control

Healdsburg code What Healdsburg's code adds
Erosion control plan	An erosion control plan is required, prepared and certified by a QSD and approved in writing by the City engineer. Applies: Projects that disturb less than 1 acre of land. § 17.36.040 · code text All projects that cause land disturbance of less than one acre shall prepare an erosion and sediment control plan to be submitted to the City engineer for written approval. An erosion control plan and a state storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) are required. Applies: Projects that disturb 1 acre or more of land. § 17.36.050 · code text All projects that cause land disturbance of one acre or more shall comply with the following requirements:

Park and impact fees for new homes

Healdsburg code The fee equals the fair market value of the usable park land that would otherwise be dedicated. The park standard is 5 acres.

All 4 Healdsburg rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →

Noise and construction hours

Healdsburg code Construction is allowed only from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Construction is allowed 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and not on Sundays or legal holidays.

All 6 Healdsburg rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →

Outdoor lighting

Healdsburg code What Healdsburg's code adds
Shielding	Lighting must be indirect or diffused, and aimed away or shielded to limit spill onto neighboring properties. § 20.24.015 · code text Lighting shall be indirect or diffused and shall be directed away and/or shielded to minimize spillage onto adjacent properties.

Garage and yard sales

Healdsburg code A permit is required, with a processing fee. Only 1 garage sale permit in any 12 months.

All 3 Healdsburg rules on garage and yard sales, 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)

Signs on homes

Healdsburg code 2 signs at all times, per parcel. Up to 6 square feet per face; may be double-faced.

All 6 Healdsburg rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Historic homes

Healdsburg code What Healdsburg's code adds
Demolishing an older or historic home	A historic demolition permit is required before a separate demolition permit. Applies: Any designated or potentially historic resource on the code's list, unless specifically exempted. § 20.24.190 · code text A historic demolition permit shall be obtained from the zoning administrator or historic committee, as provided in this section, prior to the issuance of a separate demolition permit by the building official for any designated or potentially historic resource listed in HMC § 20.24.200(A), unless the demolition is specifically exempted by HMC § 20.24.200(B). A regular demolition permit is required. Applies: Any historic building, structure or property. § 20.24.240 · code text In addition to obtaining a historic demolition permit, an applicant shall also apply for and obtain a regular demolition permit from the building official prior to demolition of any historic building, structure or property.

Other Healdsburg rules on this

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

SB 9 lot splits and two-unit projects (§ 20.20.120)
Permit to remove a heritage tree (Ch. 20.24, Art. II)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Healdsburg's code: Same day for over-the-counter applications; 1 to 3 business days for electronic applications. (Applies to complete small residential rooftop solar applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan.) (§ 15.18.060); The city issues permits when the application meets its checklist; electronic applications and signatures are accepted. (Applies to EV charging stations; the station may not be energized or used until the city approves it.) (§ 15.19.060).

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

Healdsburg's code: You need a development permit before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (Applications must give details on structures, grading, fill, drainage, utilities, floodways, elevations and floodproofing.) (§ 17.28.140); The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 17.28.160).

What are the grading rules in Healdsburg?

Healdsburg's code: An erosion control plan is required, prepared and certified by a QSD and approved in writing by the City engineer. (Projects that disturb less than 1 acre of land.) (§ 17.36.040); An erosion control plan and a state storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) are required. (Projects that disturb 1 acre or more of land.) (§ 17.36.050).

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Healdsburg?

Healdsburg's code: Lighting must be indirect or diffused, and aimed away or shielded to limit spill onto neighboring properties. (§ 20.24.015).

Can I run a family child care home in Healdsburg?

California law sets this for every city, including Healdsburg: 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 rules apply to a historic home in Healdsburg?

Healdsburg's code: A historic demolition permit is required before a separate demolition permit. (Any designated or potentially historic resource on the code's list, unless specifically exempted.) (§ 20.24.190); A regular demolition permit is required. (Any historic building, structure or property.) (§ 20.24.240).

General information, not legal advice.

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