Hollister · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Hollister
Hollister sets its own fence heights and home business rules. Fence height depends on the setback, and taller front fences need City Engineer approval.
Key points
- Fence height: Hollister limits fences to 3 ft in front and corner street side setbacks; side and rear setbacks 6 ft plus 2 ft of lattice.
- Home businesses: Hollister home businesses must stay in 1 room of up to 200 sq ft and see 1 client at a time, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Each rule below is marked Hollister code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Hollister code Hollister limits fences to 3 ft in front and corner street side setbacks; side and rear setbacks 6 ft plus 2 ft of lattice.
All 6 Hollister rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Hollister code Hollister home businesses must stay in 1 room of up to 200 sq ft and see 1 client at a time, 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
All 7 Hollister rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Hollister code At least 4 feet. At least 4 feet.
All 15 Hollister rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Hollister code Beside or behind the home. Fully inside a garage that belongs to the home.
All 8 Hollister rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Swimming pools
| Equipment and alarms |
|
|---|---|
| Setback from property lines |
|
Pets, chickens and bees
Hollister code No more than 6 poultry, rabbits or similar small animals in all, over 4 months old. At least 5 feet from side and rear property lines.
All 4 Hollister rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Grading and erosion control
Hollister code No permit only if all limits are met, including 10,000 square feet or less disturbed and slopes under 10%. No permit for basement and footing digs under a valid building permit.
All 3 Hollister rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
| Sales per year |
|
|---|
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)
Hollister code Accessory dwelling units are exempt. Residential projects with fewer than 10 dwelling units are exempt.
All 7 Hollister rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Hollister code The penalty is fixed by city council resolution. A penalty applies from the 4th false alarm. The amount is set by council resolution.
All 6 Hollister rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Hollister code Up to 32 square feet. Remove within 10 days of an election. Primary election signs may stay until 10 days after the final election.
All 7 Hollister rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| Where carts are kept |
|
|---|
Historic homes
Hollister code A certificate of appropriateness is required. The commission must approve.
All 5 Hollister rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Hollister rules on this
Hollister's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Hours for noisy vehicle repair at home (§ 10.36.060) — residential districts only
- Construction and landscaping noise hours (§ 17.16.100)
- Loud and unusual noise (Ch. 8.28)
- Police and fire protection impact fees (Ch. 3.16)
- Park development fee (§ 3.12.010)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Hollister?
Hollister's code: At least 5 feet from a property line. (§ 17.22.230).
What are the rules for building in a Hollister flood zone?
Hollister's code: A development permit is required before any construction or other development begins in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.20.100); The lowest floor, including a basement, must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in special flood hazard areas; nonresidential buildings may be floodproofed instead.) (§ 15.20.130).
What are the garage sale rules in Hollister?
Hollister's code: At most 3 sales per year. (Residential zoning districts.) (§ 17.68.1060).
Can I run a family child care home in Hollister?
California law sets this for every city, including Hollister: 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)).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Hollister?
Hollister's code: Keep containers on the premises. They must be in good repair, leakproof, fly-tight and rodentproof. (Any land or dwelling where solid waste is produced.) (§ 8.12.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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