Merced · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Merced
Merced sets its own accessory-structure limits and home-business rules for residential zones. Walls and fences have a separate city chapter.
Key points
- Accessory structures: Merced limits residential accessory structures to 35 ft; interior side and rear setbacks are 3 ft, or 5 ft over 120 sq ft.
- Home businesses: City rule: a home business may use 25% of the home or 400 sq ft, whichever is less; auto repair is not allowed.
- Walls and fences: Walls and fences fall under the city's own chapter, Ch. 20.30 (Walls and fences).
Each rule below is marked Merced 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
| Maximum height |
|
|---|---|
| Side and rear setback |
|
Running a business from home
Merced code City rule: a home business may use 25% of the home or 400 sq ft, whichever is less; auto repair is not allowed.
All 10 Merced rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Merced code Expedited, streamlined permits; electronic submittal and signatures allowed as resources permit. Expedited, streamlined permits; electronic submittal and signatures allowed as resources permit.
All 3 Merced rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Merced code Yes; up to 5 birds per acre. Up to 2 large animals per acre; more need the development services director's approval; no commercial operations.
All 10 Merced rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Garage and yard sales
Merced code 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No more than 3 days in a row.
All 4 Merced 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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Merced code You need an alarm system permit from the chief of police before installing, connecting or operating an alarm system. No permit needed.
All 3 Merced rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
| Signs that need no permit |
|
|---|
Trash and recycling carts
| Sorting organics and green waste |
|
|---|
Historic homes
Merced code A certificate for alteration, approved by at least 4 commission votes, is required before any material change. No certificate for alteration is required.
Other Merced rules on this
Merced's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Walls and fences (Ch. 20.30)
- No RV, boat or trailer parking on residential streets (Ch. 9.84) — on public streets in residential zones
- Public facilities impact fees (Ch. 17.62)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Merced?
Walls and fences fall under the city's own chapter, Ch. 20.30 (Walls and fences). Merced also has a related rule: Walls and fences (Ch. 20.30).
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Merced?
Merced limits residential accessory structures to 35 ft; interior side and rear setbacks are 3 ft, or 5 ft over 120 sq ft.
What are the rules for building in a Merced flood zone?
Merced's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes. (Applies in special flood hazard areas.) (§ 17.48.135); The lowest floor, including basement, must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New construction or substantial improvement in zones AE and AH.) (§ 17.48.140).
Can I run a family child care home in Merced?
California law sets this for every city, including Merced: 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)).
What signs may I put up at my home in Merced?
Merced's code: One permanent wall-mounted sign per residence, up to 2 square feet, needs no sign permit. (§ 20.62.040).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Merced?
Merced's code: Green or organic waste goes only in the containers the city provides; keep them in good repair. (§ 8.04.730).
General information, not legal advice.
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