Lincoln · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Lincoln
Lincoln's city code sets fence heights by yard, sets side setbacks for accessory structures in R districts, and limits home businesses. A home business with customer visits needs a conditional use permit.
Key points
- Fence height: City code limits fences to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side, side street or rear yards.
- Accessory setbacks: In R districts, accessory structures must be 5 feet from the side lot line, or 10 feet from the street side on corner lots.
- Home businesses: City code limits a home business to 15% of the home's floor area and at most 2 workers, both living in the home.
Each rule below is marked Lincoln code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Lincoln code City code limits fences to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side, side street or rear yards.
All 3 Lincoln rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Lincoln code In R districts, accessory structures must be 5 feet from the side lot line, or 10 feet from the street side on corner lots.
All 4 Lincoln rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Lincoln code City code limits a home business to 15% of the home's floor area and at most 2 workers, both living in the home.
All 6 Lincoln rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Lincoln code Administrative, nondiscretionary building permit review, limited to health and safety requirements. You may submit the application by email or online.
All 4 Lincoln rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
Lincoln code The gap under the barrier may be at most 2 inches, or 4 inches over a solid surface. The gap between the pool top and the barrier may be at most 4 inches.
All 20 Lincoln rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Chickens |
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Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
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| Height of the lowest floor |
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Park and impact fees for new homes
Lincoln code A fee equal to the value of the land that would have been dedicated. 5 acres per 1,000 residents.
All 3 Lincoln rules on park and impact fees for new homes, 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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
Lincoln code Parking may not be in the required front-yard, side-yard or rear-yard setback areas. Minimum interior size is 20 feet by 20 feet.
All 8 Lincoln rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Lincoln code Penalty fees apply. A $25.00 late charge applies.
All 4 Lincoln rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Lincoln code Signs may be displayed for 45 calendar days per event. Signs may be displayed up to 6 times per calendar year.
All 17 Lincoln rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Lincoln code The owner may apply to the city council for an exemption from mandatory collection. Within 24 hours after collection
All 3 Lincoln rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Lincoln rules on this
Lincoln's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- When grading needs a permit (§ 15.04.200)
- Loud sound systems and amplified sound (§ 9.04.010)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Lincoln?
Lincoln's code: Yes; no more than 5 hens. (No more than 5 hens and rabbits combined.) (§ 6.36.050).
What are the rules for building in a Lincoln flood zone?
Lincoln's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.32.160); At or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 15.32.180).
Can I run a family child care home in Lincoln?
California law sets this for every city, including Lincoln: 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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