Mammoth Lakes · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes sets its own fence heights, accessory-structure sizes and home-business rules. Fence limits depend on the setback and cover all zones except Industrial.
Key points
- Fence height: Town rule: outside Industrial zones, fences are limited to 3 ft in front and street side setbacks and 6 ft elsewhere.
- Detached garages: The town limits detached garages to 1,000 sq ft unless the Director approves more or the parcel is 1 acre or more.
- Home businesses: Town rule: home businesses need a Town business tax certificate; retail sales, vehicle repair and adult businesses are not allowed.
Each rule below is marked Mammoth Lakes code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Height anywhere on the lot |
|
|---|---|
| Front yard height |
|
| Side and rear yard height |
|
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Mammoth Lakes code The town limits detached garages to 1,000 sq ft unless the Director approves more or the parcel is 1 acre or more.
All 3 Mammoth Lakes rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Mammoth Lakes code Town rule: home businesses need a Town business tax certificate; retail sales, vehicle repair and adult businesses are not allowed.
All 4 Mammoth Lakes rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Mammoth Lakes code Apply in person, by mail or electronically, with any required processing and inspection fees; electronic signatures accepted. The panel array cannot be taller than the maximum legal building height.
All 4 Mammoth Lakes rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Mammoth Lakes code Exempt: removing a tree that is an immediate safety hazard to life or property. Exempt: routine tree maintenance, such as trimming or thinning branches.
All 7 Mammoth Lakes rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
Mammoth Lakes code No powered lawn or garden tools 10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. if noise disturbs across a home or business property line. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
All 16 Mammoth Lakes rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
Mammoth Lakes code Outdoor fixtures must be aimed down or toward buildings to prevent glare, light trespass and light pollution. New outdoor lights must be full cut-off fixtures, aimed down and fully shielded, with no light above horizontal.
All 5 Mammoth Lakes rules on outdoor lighting, 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)
Mammoth Lakes code Each BMR unit must stay affordable to the same income level for a minimum of 55 years. Each BMR unit must stay affordable to the same income level for a minimum of 60 years.
All 10 Mammoth Lakes rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Mammoth Lakes code 2 spaces per 4 units up to 12; 1 per 4 units for units 13-48; 1 per 6 above 48. 1 space per unit.
All 9 Mammoth Lakes rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Mammoth Lakes code Subscribe to residential cart curbside pick-up or the transfer station self-haul program. Subscribe to residential cart curbside pick-up or commercial bin service.
All 4 Mammoth Lakes rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Mammoth Lakes rules on this
Mammoth Lakes's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Keeping animals (§ 17.52.070)
- Urban lot splits and two-unit projects (SB 9) (§ 17.52.260)
- Floodplain management rules for building (Ch. 12.20)
- When grading needs a permit (§ 12.16.100)
- Limits on grading and clearing a lot (§ 17.36.050)
- Development impact fees on new building (§ 15.16.130)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Mammoth Lakes?
Town rule: outside Industrial zones, fences are limited to 3 ft in front and street side setbacks and 6 ft elsewhere.
Can I run a family child care home in Mammoth Lakes?
California law sets this for every city, including Mammoth Lakes: 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.
Ask about a specific Mammoth Lakes property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question