Kings County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Kings County
Kings County's code applies only in unincorporated areas and sets its own rules for building in special flood hazard areas, including a development permit before work starts. Family child care homes follow state law.
Key points
- Flood zones: County rule: outside Zone AO, new or substantially improved homes in special flood hazard areas must be at or above base flood elevation.
- Zone AO: County rule: in Zone AO with no depth number on the flood map, homes must be 2 feet above the highest adjacent pre-construction grade.
- Child care homes: State law: family child care homes are a residential use by right; cities and counties may not charge them a license fee or tax.
Each rule below is marked Kings County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Kings County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Kings County have their own codes and their own pages.
Building in a flood zone
Kings County code County rule: outside Zone AO, new or substantially improved homes in special flood hazard areas must be at or above base flood elevation. County rule: in Zone AO with no depth number on the flood map, homes must be 2 feet above the highest adjacent pre-construction grade.
All 5 Kings County rules on building in a flood zone, 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 Kings County rules on this
Kings County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Noise that disturbs neighbors (Sec. 15-211)
- Permit review for home rooftop solar (Sec. 5-72)
- Draining a swimming pool (Sec. 14-126)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a family child care home in Kings County?
State law: family child care homes are a residential use by right; cities and counties may not charge them a license fee or tax.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Kings County property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
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