Nevada City · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Nevada City
Nevada City sets its own fence heights, accessory-building limits and home-business rules. Home-business limits differ for standard and administrative home occupations.
Key points
- Fence height: City rule: fences are limited to 6 ft, and to 3 ft 6 inches on corner lots where a front yard is required.
- Accessory buildings: City rule: detached accessory buildings that do not meet main-building setbacks are limited to 160 sq ft and 30% of the rear yard.
- Home businesses: City rule: residential home businesses may have 2 people engaged and 6 vehicle trips (3 visits) a day.
Each rule below is marked Nevada City code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Corner visibility |
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|---|---|
| Height anywhere on the lot |
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Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Nevada City code City rule: detached accessory buildings that do not meet main-building setbacks are limited to 160 sq ft and 30% of the rear yard.
All 4 Nevada City rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Nevada City code City rule: residential home businesses may have 2 people engaged and 6 vehicle trips (3 visits) a day.
All 7 Nevada City rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Nevada City code At most 2 new lots of about equal area; 1 lot may not be under 40% of the original area. At least 1,200 square feet.
All 8 Nevada City rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Nevada City code Expedited administrative approval, with all required permits or authorizations issued. Electronic submittal is available.
All 4 Nevada City rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Nevada City code City staff may approve removal to protect public health, safety or welfare. Yes, a permit is required.
All 7 Nevada City rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Swimming pools
Nevada City code The pool or the whole property must be walled or fenced to keep children from the street or neighbors out. At least 6 feet high.
All 3 Nevada City rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
| Soils or geology report |
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|---|---|
| When hillside rules apply |
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Noise and construction hours
| Leaf blowers and equipment |
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|---|---|
| Noise limit at homes |
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Outdoor lighting
Nevada City code At most 14 feet or the height of the nearest building, whichever is less. At most 8 feet.
All 4 Nevada City 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 |
Other Nevada City rules on this
Nevada City's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Keeping backyard chickens (§ 17.24.080)
- Floodplain management (Ch. 13.20)
- Grading season and erosion control (§ 17.80.100)
- Park and recreation fee (Ch. 17.116)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Nevada City?
City rule: fences are limited to 6 ft, and to 3 ft 6 inches on corner lots where a front yard is required.
What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Nevada City?
Nevada City's code: No development of any kind, including homes, accessory buildings, roads or parking, on land with a cross slope over 30%. (Unless a variance is approved.) (§ 17.80.110); A soils report may be required as a condition of the variance. (A variance is approved for development where the cross slope exceeds 30%.) (§ 17.80.110).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Nevada City?
Nevada City's code: No more than 55 dBA. (At night; noise from a residential property, measured on the receiving residential property.) (§ 8.20.030); No more than 60 dBA. (At night; noise from a nonresidential property, measured on the receiving residential property.) (§ 8.20.030).
Can I run a family child care home in Nevada City?
California law sets this for every city, including Nevada City: 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.
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