Morro Bay · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Morro Bay
Morro Bay sets its own fence heights, guesthouse limits and home-business rules. Fence limits depend on the setback, open or solid design, and parcels north of Alva Paul Creek and east of Highway One.
Key points
- Fence height: Morro Bay limits solid fences in most front and corner side setbacks to 3 ft; outside those setbacks, 6 ft 6 inches.
- Guesthouses: City rule: detached guesthouses are limited to 640 sq ft of habitable floor area and 30% of the main home's floor area.
- Home businesses: City rule: a home business may use 1 independent contractor besides residents; retail sales and personal services are not allowed.
Each rule below is marked Morro Bay code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Morro Bay code Morro Bay limits solid fences in most front and corner side setbacks to 3 ft; outside those setbacks, 6 ft 6 inches.
All 7 Morro Bay rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Morro Bay code City rule: detached guesthouses are limited to 640 sq ft of habitable floor area and 30% of the main home's floor area.
All 3 Morro Bay rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Morro Bay code City rule: a home business may use 1 independent contractor besides residents; retail sales and personal services are not allowed.
All 4 Morro Bay rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Parking on the street |
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Solar panels and EV chargers
Morro Bay code Building permit issued within 5 business days of a complete application. Administrative, nondiscretionary review process.
All 5 Morro Bay rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
| Setback from property lines |
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Pets, chickens and bees
Morro Bay code At most 12 poultry, rabbits or other fowl within 50 feet of any home; no rooster over 4 months old. Only on lots of at least 20,000 sq ft; in agricultural zones, numbers may not exceed the zone's maximum density.
All 3 Morro Bay rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| Light at the property line |
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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 |
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| 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
Morro Bay code Required parking spaces cannot be in a required front or corner side setback 1 space for every 5 units
All 6 Morro Bay rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| Required collection service |
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Other Morro Bay rules on this
Morro Bay's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- SB 9 urban lot splits (§ 17.07.050)
- Flood damage prevention (Ch. 14.72)
- Business tax for frequent garage sales (§ 5.08.120)
- Noise limits and sound insulation for new homes (§ 17.28.120)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Morro Bay?
Morro Bay's code: The required building setback plus 5 feet. (RS and RL districts; front and corner side setbacks.) (§ 17.23.160); 5 feet. (RS and RL districts; interior side and rear setbacks.) (§ 17.23.160).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Morro Bay?
Morro Bay's code: No strong, direct glare may be visible past the lot lines. (§ 17.28.080).
Can I run a family child care home in Morro Bay?
California law sets this for every city, including Morro Bay: 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 Morro Bay?
Morro Bay's code: Solid waste collection and disposal service is mandatory; curbside recycling participation is voluntary (§ 8.16.170).
General information, not legal advice.
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