Patterson · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Patterson
Patterson sets setbacks for each type of accessory structure and limits primary and accessory structures together to 60 percent of the lot. Home businesses need a home occupation use permit and a city business license, and many trades and offices are not allowed.
Key points
- Fences: Patterson has a chapter on fences, walls and screening (Chapter 18.70).
- Shed height: Closed-roof structures such as sheds are limited to 12 feet and 1 story; 12 to 16 feet needs a conditional use permit.
- Home business size: A home occupation may use at most 1 room or 10 percent of the main building's floor area, whichever is greater; no on-site customers.
Each rule below is marked Patterson 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
Patterson code Closed-roof structures such as sheds are limited to 12 feet and 1 story; 12 to 16 feet needs a conditional use permit.
All 11 Patterson rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Patterson code A home occupation may use at most 1 room or 10 percent of the main building's floor area, whichever is greater; no on-site customers.
All 7 Patterson rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Patterson code Oversized means over 18 feet long, 80 inches wide or 82 inches high, or rated 10,000 pounds or more. Up to 24 hours in a row.
All 3 Patterson rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|---|
| Solar permit process |
|
Pets, chickens and bees
Patterson code Yes; no more than 6 adult chickens per parcel. At least 15 feet.
All 8 Patterson rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Patterson code A development permit is needed before construction or development begins; the fee is set by city council resolution. 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
All 5 Patterson rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
| Grading and retaining walls |
|
|---|---|
| When hillside rules apply |
|
Noise and construction hours
| Construction hours on weekdays |
|
|---|---|
| Construction hours on weekends and holidays |
|
Also in Patterson's code: Noise control rules (Ch. 6.44). This page does not summarize it yet.
Garage and yard sales
Patterson code 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. No more than 2 consecutive days.
All 5 Patterson 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 |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Patterson code Affordable units must carry a covenant for 30 years. At least 15% of newly built dwelling units must go to very low-, low- and moderate-income households.
All 6 Patterson rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Patterson code 1 covered space. 1 covered space.
All 7 Patterson rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
| Election and other noncommercial signs |
|
|---|---|
| For-sale and open-house signs |
|
Trash and recycling carts
Patterson code Remove containers not later than 6 p.m. on the day of collection. Put out no earlier than 24 hours before collection day, within 3 feet of the curbline or alley property line.
All 4 Patterson rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Patterson rules on this
Patterson's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Fences, walls and screening (Ch. 18.70)
- Draining a pool to the sewer (§ 13.02.590)
- Noise control rules (Ch. 6.44)
- Outdoor lighting shielding and glare (§ 18.80.060)
- Community facilities impact fee (§ 3.48.030)
- Public facilities development impact fee (§ 3.64.020)
- Street improvement impact fee (§ 3.40.040)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Patterson?
Patterson has a chapter on fences, walls and screening (Chapter 18.70). Patterson also has a related rule: Fences, walls and screening (Ch. 18.70).
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Patterson?
Patterson's code: Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are allowed as resources permit. (Small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 15.59.030); The building official approves an application meeting the city checklist and issues all needed permits. (Electric vehicle charging stations; the station may not be energized or used until the city approves it.) (§ 15.60.040).
What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Patterson?
Patterson's code: Slopes of 8% or more are hillside conditions; hillside design that minimizes grading is required. (Mixed-use hillside overlay district.) (§ 18.54.060); Pad sites are allowed, but contour grading, limited cut and fill or split levels may be required to reduce grading. (Mixed-use hillside overlay, Slope Zone 2, slopes of 5% to 7.99%.) (§ 18.54.060).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Patterson?
Patterson's code: Construction work is allowed 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (In or within 500 feet of residential zones. Unlawful 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. if it annoys a reasonable person; permit or emergency work exempt.) (§ 6.44.090); Construction is allowed 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; the same hours apply every day, with no separate weekend rule. (In or within 500 feet of residential zones. Unlawful 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. if it annoys a reasonable person; permit or emergency work exempt.) (§ 6.44.090).
Can I run a family child care home in Patterson?
California law sets this for every city, including Patterson: 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 Patterson?
Patterson's code: 1 sign, up to 8 square feet and 6 feet high, for up to 30 days; no sign permit required. (Noncommercial stake sign in a residential zone, on private property only (not on public property or right-of-way).) (§ 18.82.080); 1 sign, up to 6 square feet; no sign permit required. (On-site sign for a property for sale in a residential zone, on the property it advertises.) (§ 18.82.080).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Patterson property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question