Lassen County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Lassen County
Lassen County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. It limits accessory building height in R-1 districts and sets home business size, staff and visit limits, with more allowed under a use permit.
Key points
- Accessory buildings: In R-1 districts, county code limits accessory buildings to 20 feet or the main building's height, whichever is lower, unless the review committee approves.
- Home businesses: Without a use permit, a home business is limited to 150 square feet and resident workers; at most 8 customer visits per business day.
Each rule below is marked Lassen County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Lassen County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Lassen County have their own codes and their own pages.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Lassen County code In R-1 districts, county code limits accessory buildings to 20 feet or the main building's height, whichever is lower, unless the review committee approves.
All 4 Lassen County rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Lassen County code Without a use permit, a home business is limited to 150 square feet and resident workers; at most 8 customer visits per business day.
All 7 Lassen County rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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Pets, chickens and bees
Lassen County code At least 1 acre; 2 large animals on 1 acre, plus 1 more per 20,000 square feet over 1 acre. No more than 1 goat, hog, sheep or similar animal per 7,000 square feet.
All 3 Lassen County rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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Noise and construction hours
| Noise limit at homes |
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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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
Lassen County code Parking may be in the front or street side yard. Parking must be 10 feet behind the front and street side property lines.
All 6 Lassen County rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Other Lassen County rules on this
Lassen County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Living in an RV while building a home (§ 18.102.017) — during construction only
- Fire capital facility fees (§ 12.60.020) — qualifying fire protection districts only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Lassen County?
Lassen County's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary review; the permit can be issued once the application meets every checklist requirement. (Applies to EV charging systems in unincorporated areas of the county.) (§ 12.10.060); A written correction notice is available within 10 working days. (Only when the application is incomplete.) (§ 12.10.060).
What are the rules for building in a Lassen County flood zone?
Lassen County's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or other development begins in a special flood hazard area. (§ 12.26.056).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Lassen County?
Lassen County's code: 65 dBA, as a 1-hour average. (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; residential and agricultural zones, such as R-1, R-2 and R-3, and any legal home, at the yard line.) (§ 9.65.040); 60 dBA, as a 1-hour average. (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; residential and agricultural zones, such as R-1, R-2 and R-3, and any legal home, at the yard line.) (§ 9.65.040).
Can I run a family child care home in Lassen County?
California law sets this for every city, including Lassen 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)).
General information, not legal advice.
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