Mendota · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Mendota
Mendota sets its own accessory-building limits for the R-1-A and R-2 districts and its own home-business rules. Accessory-building setbacks depend on alleys and corner lots.
Key points
- Accessory buildings: City rule: in the R-1-A and R-2 districts, accessory buildings are limited to 1 story and 12 ft to the plate.
- Home businesses: Mendota home businesses need a permit, use at most 1 room, are run by residents only, and serve at most 8 clients a day.
Each rule below is marked Mendota 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
Mendota code City rule: in the R-1-A and R-2 districts, accessory buildings are limited to 1 story and 12 ft to the plate.
All 10 Mendota rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Mendota code Mendota home businesses need a permit, use at most 1 room, are run by residents only, and serve at most 8 clients a day.
All 5 Mendota rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Permit |
|
|---|---|
| Pet limit |
|
Building in a flood zone
| Building in a floodway |
|
|---|---|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Garage and yard sales
Mendota code Sales only during daylight hours, and no sale may last more than 12 hours. You need a permit from the city clerk; the fee is $5.00.
All 8 Mendota rules on garage and yard sales, 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 |
Trash and recycling carts
| Required collection service |
|
|---|
Other Mendota rules on this
Mendota's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Draining a pool (§ 13.04.180)
- Swimming pools, spas and hot tubs (Ch. 8.38)
- Noise control (Ch. 9.05)
- Development impact fees (Ch. 16.36)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules for building in a Mendota flood zone?
Mendota's code: The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in an A zone.) (§ 14.20.010); The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in flood zones other than A and AO.) (§ 14.20.010).
Can I run a family child care home in Mendota?
California law sets this for every city, including Mendota: 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)).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Mendota?
Mendota's code: Owners or occupants of residences must subscribe to and use the bi-weekly mandatory recycling collection from the exclusive hauler. (§ 8.16.140).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Mendota property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
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