Lafayette · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Lafayette
Lafayette's city code limits accessory buildings that stand in a required setback or yard. The limits cover their height and how much of a required rear yard they may cover.
Key points
- Height in setbacks: City code limits accessory buildings built in a required setback, front, side or rear yard to 12 feet.
- Rear yard coverage: City code limits accessory buildings to 30% of a required rear yard.
Each rule below is marked Lafayette 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
| Maximum height |
|
|---|---|
| Size or lot coverage |
|
Lot splits under SB 9
Lafayette code At least 4 feet from side and rear lines. District front, side, rear and secondary front setbacks apply, relaxed where they would block 2 units of 800 square feet.
All 14 Lafayette rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| Solar height and setbacks |
|
|---|---|
| Solar permit process |
|
Tree removal
Lafayette code No tree permit, documentation, replacement trees or fee needed to remove excluded species. No tree permit, documentation, replacement trees or fee needed.
All 22 Lafayette rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Lafayette code No more than 2 beehives. No more than 6 beehives.
All 5 Lafayette rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Lafayette code A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in any special flood hazard area. Fill, new building, substantial improvements and other encroachments banned unless a registered engineer certifies no base-flood rise; no manufactured homes.
All 4 Lafayette rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
| Steepest cut or fill slope |
|
|---|
Building on a hillside
| Grading and retaining walls |
|
|---|
Noise and construction hours
Lafayette code 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. No portable power tools from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. if they disturb across a home or business property line.
All 7 Lafayette rules on noise and construction hours, 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 |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Lafayette code Units must stay restricted to the applicable income level for not less than 45 years. Units must stay restricted to the applicable income level for not less than 55 years.
All 10 Lafayette rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Lafayette code 1 guest parking space for each 5 dwelling units 1.0 space per unit
All 7 Lafayette rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Lafayette code Up to 80 square feet per parcel. Up to 180 square feet.
All 12 Lafayette rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Historic homes
| Changing a historic home |
|
|---|
Other Lafayette rules on this
Lafayette's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Regional transportation fee (Ch. 1-6, Art. 3)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Lafayette?
City code limits accessory buildings built in a required setback, front, side or rear yard to 12 feet. City code limits accessory buildings to 30% of a required rear yard.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Lafayette?
Lafayette's code: Expedited, streamlined review. You may apply electronically, permits may be issued electronically, and required fees must be paid. (Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 3-1002).
What are the grading rules in Lafayette?
Lafayette's code: No steeper than 1 vertical to 2 horizontal. (Cut slopes, unless a soil engineering or geology report shows a steeper cut will be stable.) (§ 716-8.202); Fill may not toe out on slopes steeper than 1 vertical to 3 horizontal. (Fill above a steeper slope sits at least 6 feet back from its top, unless an engineer or geologist recommends otherwise with building official approval.) (§ 716-8.418).
What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Lafayette?
Lafayette's code: No grading, vegetation removal or other site preparation on parts of a lot sloped over 35%. (Except public safety work, adopted trails, the least damaging access to an approved site, or a Planning Commission exception for economically viable use.) (§ 6-2050).
Can I run a family child care home in Lafayette?
California law sets this for every city, including Lafayette: 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 Lafayette?
Lafayette's code: The city council issues a certificate of appropriateness, with or without conditions (Change will not adversely affect a significant historical or aesthetic feature, or fixes a condition found dangerous to life, health or property) (§ 6-2135).
General information, not legal advice.
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