Lake County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Lake County
Lake County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. It sets fence heights by yard and lot type, limits accessory buildings, and has its own home occupation standards.
Key points
- Fence height: County code limits front yard fences to 4 feet on interior lots and 3 feet on corner lots; side and rear yards, 6 feet.
- Accessory buildings: County code limits accessory buildings to 20 feet unless district rules differ; a minor use permit may allow more.
- Home businesses: County code has home occupation standards (§ 27.2(j)).
Each rule below is marked Lake County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Lake County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Lake County have their own codes and their own pages.
Fences and walls
Lake County code County code limits front yard fences to 4 feet on interior lots and 3 feet on corner lots; side and rear yards, 6 feet.
All 7 Lake County rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Lake County code County code limits accessory buildings to 20 feet unless district rules differ; a minor use permit may allow more.
All 5 Lake County rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Lake County code Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted. The Building Official approves the application and issues all needed permits when it meets the County's adopted checklist.
All 3 Lake County rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Lake County code No fill, new construction, substantial improvements or other development unless analyses show no flood level increase. The FIRM depth number plus at least 1 foot.
All 4 Lake County rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
Lake County code An Erosion Control and Sediment Detention Plan is required, in 3 copies. Cuts of up to 50 cubic yards that do not alter any drainage course.
All 5 Lake County rules on grading and erosion control, 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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
|
|---|---|
| False alarms before a fee |
|
Historic homes
Lake County code Major use permit required Cultural Resource Commission review and comment; Planning Commission permit issuance requires receipt and review of the evaluation
All 5 Lake County rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Lake County rules on this
Lake County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Home occupation standards (§ 27.2(j))
- Animal limits by lot size (§ 9.16) — some zoning districts only
- Noise limits at property lines (§ 41.11)
- Shielded outdoor lighting (§ 41.8)
- Fire mitigation fee (§ 27-8)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Lake County?
County code has home occupation standards (§ 27.2(j)). Lake County also has a related rule: Home occupation standards (§ 27.2(j)).
Can I run a family child care home in Lake County?
California law sets this for every city, including Lake County: 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)).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Lake County?
Lake County's code: $50.00 (Third and each successive verified false alarm within any 12-month period) (§ 2-124); A fee applies starting with the third verified false alarm (Within any 12-month period) (§ 2-124).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Lake County property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question