Merced County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Merced County
Merced County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. There it sets limits on fences, accessory structures, home businesses and RV parking in residential zones, and fence height depends on where the fence stands.
Key points
- Front fences: In residential zones, fences in the first 15 feet of the front setback are limited to 4 feet, outside sight-distance areas.
- Other fences: Residential fences at least 15 feet from the property line, or in setbacks next to non-residential zones, are limited to 7 feet.
- Accessory height: Nonexempt residential accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, or more with an administrative permit, and never above the main building.
- Accessory size: Nonexempt accessory structures may cover at most 15% of the rear yard, and at most 600 square feet on parcels under one-quarter acre.
- Home businesses: Home businesses need a Zoning Clearance and may use at most the lesser of 250 square feet or 25% of living space.
- RV street parking: RVs may park in front of residences for at most 48 continuous hours, then must move at least 500 feet and wait 48 hours.
Each rule below is marked Merced County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Merced County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Merced County have their own codes and their own pages.
Fences and walls
Merced County code In residential zones, fences in the first 15 feet of the front setback are limited to 4 feet, outside sight-distance areas. Residential fences at least 15 feet from the property line, or in setbacks next to non-residential zones, are limited to 7 feet.
All 6 Merced County rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Merced County code Nonexempt residential accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, or more with an administrative permit, and never above the main building. Nonexempt accessory structures may cover at most 15% of the rear yard, and at most 600 square feet on parcels under one-quarter acre.
All 7 Merced County rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Merced County code Home businesses need a Zoning Clearance and may use at most the lesser of 250 square feet or 25% of living space.
All 4 Merced County rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Merced County code RVs may park in front of residences for at most 48 continuous hours, then must move at least 500 feet and wait 48 hours.
All 7 Merced County rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Merced County code Administrative, nondiscretionary fast review using a checklist. Apply in person, by mail or electronically, with any required fees; only 1 inspection.
All 3 Merced County rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
| Equipment and alarms |
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Pets, chickens and bees
| Large animals |
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Noise and construction hours
Merced County code 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. No construction tools or equipment.
All 7 Merced County rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| Shielding |
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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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Merced County code $50. $100.
All 7 Merced County rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Merced County code Up to 8 square feet of sign area. Remove within 10 days after the event.
All 7 Merced County rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
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| When carts may go to the curb |
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| Where carts are kept |
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Other Merced County rules on this
Merced County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Special flood hazard areas (Ch. 18.26)
- County public facilities fees (Ch. 16.52)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Merced County?
Merced County's code: Fixtures must be hooded and aimed down and away from neighboring properties and public rights-of-way. (Glare and reflections must stay within the parcel.) (§ 18.40.070).
Can I run a family child care home in Merced County?
California law sets this for every city, including Merced 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)).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Merced County?
Merced County's code: No later than seven p.m. on the collection day (§ 9.08.060); No earlier than the evening prior to the scheduled collection day (§ 9.08.060).
General information, not legal advice.
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