Paso Robles · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Paso Robles

Paso Robles limits home occupations to 1 client or student at a time and no more than 1 non-related full-time equivalent employee. Animal hospitals, auto repair, barber shops, restaurants, taverns and wine-tasting are not allowed as home occupations.

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Key points

Fences: Paso Robles has a chapter on fences, walls and hedges (Chapter 21.44).
Accessory structures: Paso Robles has a chapter on accessory structures (Chapter 21.42).
Home business size: Home occupations: at most 1/2 of the main building's ground floor area; home occupation permit reviewed by the zoning administrator.

Each rule below is marked Paso Robles code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Running a business from home

Paso Robles code Home occupations: at most 1/2 of the main building's ground floor area; home occupation permit reviewed by the zoning administrator.

All 8 Paso Robles rules on running a business from home, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Paso Robles code The building official approves applications meeting the city checklist, laws and safety standards, and issues all needed permits. Permit applications may be submitted electronically; electronic signatures are accepted.

All 3 Paso Robles rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →

Tree removal

Paso Robles code Removing oak trees under 6 inches in diameter at breast height needs no permit. Removal may be requested with no deposit and no replacement trees.

All 8 Paso Robles rules on tree removal, with the code text →

Swimming pools

Paso Robles code Openings, gaps or voids may not let a 4-inch sphere pass. Solid barriers may have no dents or bumps, except tooled masonry joints.

All 17 Paso Robles rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Paso Robles code What Paso Robles's code adds
Floodplain permit	A development plan and permit are needed before any construction or development; plans show fill, grading, structures, utilities and elevations. Applies: In any area of special flood hazard. § 21.80.050 · code text A development plan (Chapter 21.16) shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Subsection 21.80.010(C) of this chapter.
Building in a floodway	No new construction or development, including fill, unless all development combined raises base flood level no more than 1 foot. Applies: In zones A1-30 and AE, until a regulatory floodway is adopted; the 1-foot limit applies at any point in the city. § 21.80.130 · code text Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or other development (including fill) shall be allowed within zones A1-30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the city. No fill, new construction, substantial improvements or other development unless a registered civil engineer certifies no base flood elevation increase. Applies: Within an adopted regulatory floodway, during the base flood discharge. § 21.80.130 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the city shall prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in the base flood elevation during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor	2 feet above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones; the lowest floor includes any basement. § 21.80.080 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 zones, elevated two feet above the base flood elevation. 2 feet above the FIRM depth number, measured from the highest adjacent grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with a FIRM depth number; the lowest floor includes any basement. § 21.80.080 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height two feet above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least four feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. At least 4 feet above the highest adjacent grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with no FIRM depth number; the lowest floor includes any basement. § 21.80.080 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height two feet above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least four feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. 2 feet above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone with no FIRM base flood elevations; the lowest floor includes any basement. § 21.80.080 · code text In an A zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM (unnumbered A zone), elevated two feet above the base flood elevation; as determined under Section 21.80.070(C).

Grading and erosion control

Paso Robles code What Paso Robles's code adds
Erosion control plan	Grading permit applications need a site-specific erosion and sediment control plan; a state SWPPP may substitute if accepted. § 20.12.010 · code text A site-specific erosion and sediment control plan shall be developed per Section III (2.1) Erosion and Sediment Control Plan of the Public Works, Engineering Division.
Grading without a permit	Fill up to 50 cubic yards not supporting structures, disturbing under 3,000 square feet, not blocking or diverting drainage. Applies: Digs under 2 feet deep or no cut slope over 5 feet and steeper than 2:1; fills under 1 foot on ground flatter than 5:1. § 20.04.040 · code text A fill not intended to support structures which does not exceed fifty cubic yards; provided that: Resurfacing or maintaining paved surfaces; exploratory borings under a soils engineer or engineering geologist, if the site is restored. § 20.04.040 · code text B. Grave sites within a cemetery;

Building on a hillside

Paso Robles code 2:1 graded slopes, including any retaining wall face, at most 4 feet high. 2:1 graded slopes, including any retaining wall face, at most 6 feet high.

All 9 Paso Robles rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →

Noise and construction hours

Paso Robles code 75 dBA Lmax outdoors. 55 dBA Leq outdoors.

All 12 Paso Robles rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →

Outdoor lighting

Paso Robles code Color temperature no higher than 3,000 Kelvin. No higher than 16 feet.

All 5 Paso Robles rules on outdoor lighting, with the code text →

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
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)

Parking spaces required for homes

Paso Robles code 1 guest space per 5 units. 1 space per studio or 1 bedroom unit less than 600 square feet.

All 5 Paso Robles rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Paso Robles code What Paso Robles's code adds
Alarm permit	Yes. The one-time fee amount is set by city council resolution. § 5.45.070 · code text Each alarm system permit applicant is required to pay a one-time alarm system permit fee. The amount of the fee shall be specifically set forth and specified by resolution of the city council.
When a permit can be revoked	More than 6 false alarms. Applies: During any consecutive 365 day period. § 5.45.120 · code text Alarm system for which the alarm system permit is issued emits more than six false alarms during any consecutive three hundred sixty-five day period;

Signs on homes

Paso Robles code Up to 6 square feet per linear foot of building or tenant space frontage. 90 days in a calendar year.

All 10 Paso Robles rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Historic homes

Paso Robles code A certificate of no effect or certificate of appropriateness before starting work. A demolition permit from the building official.

All 15 Paso Robles rules on historic homes, with the code text →

Other Paso Robles rules on this

Paso Robles's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Accessory structures (Ch. 21.42)
Fences, walls and hedges (Ch. 21.44)
Limit on dogs and cats per home (§ 8.04.030)
Animals kept at a home, including bees (§ 21.69.040)
Urban lot splits (SB 9) (Ch. 22.34)
Parking RVs, trailers and campers on the street (§ 12.38.035) — on public streets
Storing RVs and boats on your property (§ 21.48.090)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Paso Robles?

Paso Robles has a chapter on fences, walls and hedges (Chapter 21.44). Paso Robles also has a related rule: Fences, walls and hedges (Ch. 21.44).

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Paso Robles?

Paso Robles has a chapter on accessory structures (Chapter 21.42). Paso Robles also has a related rule: Accessory structures (Ch. 21.42).

What are the rules for building in a Paso Robles flood zone?

Paso Robles's code: A development plan and permit are needed before any construction or development; plans show fill, grading, structures, utilities and elevations. (In any area of special flood hazard.) (§ 21.80.050); 2 feet above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones; the lowest floor includes any basement.) (§ 21.80.080).

What are the grading rules in Paso Robles?

Paso Robles's code: Fill up to 50 cubic yards not supporting structures, disturbing under 3,000 square feet, not blocking or diverting drainage. (Digs under 2 feet deep or no cut slope over 5 feet and steeper than 2:1; fills under 1 foot on ground flatter than 5:1.) (§ 20.04.040); Grading permit applications need a site-specific erosion and sediment control plan; a state SWPPP may substitute if accepted. (§ 20.12.010).

Can I run a family child care home in Paso Robles?

California law sets this for every city, including Paso Robles: 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)).

Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Paso Robles?

Paso Robles's code: Yes. The one-time fee amount is set by city council resolution. (§ 5.45.070); More than 6 false alarms. (During any consecutive 365 day period.) (§ 5.45.120).

General information, not legal advice.

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