Pinole · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Pinole
Pinole sets height, setback and yard-coverage limits for each type of accessory structure; those under 120 square feet and under 8 feet tall are exempt from planning approval only. Home occupations need a city business license, and their permits renew each year.
Key points
- Fences: Pinole has a chapter on fences, walls and screening (Chapter 17.42).
- Accessory buildings: Enclosed solid-roof accessory buildings: at most 15 feet tall, 5 feet from side and rear lines, at most 50% of required yard area.
- Home business size: A home occupation may use 1 room or 25% of the dwelling, whichever is greater, with up to 3 customer visits per day.
Each rule below is marked Pinole 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
Pinole code Enclosed solid-roof accessory buildings: at most 15 feet tall, 5 feet from side and rear lines, at most 50% of required yard area.
All 15 Pinole rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Pinole code A home occupation may use 1 room or 25% of the dwelling, whichever is greater, with up to 3 customer visits per day.
All 8 Pinole rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Pinole code Each new parcel must be between 40% and 60% of the original parcel size. Each new parcel must be at least 1,200 square feet.
All 15 Pinole rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Size limit |
|
|---|---|
| Parking on the street |
|
Solar panels and EV chargers
Pinole code The Building Official approves an application meeting the city checklist and issues all needed permits. Electronic submittal is allowed.
All 4 Pinole rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Pinole code Yes, a tree removal permit from the Community Development Director. File the application at least 10 days before removal.
Building in a flood zone
| Building in a floodway |
|
|---|---|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Grading and erosion control
Pinole code A final erosion and sediment control plan is required unless the site meets every listed small-project condition. Digs and fills up to 50 cubic yards and 4 feet deep or high.
All 4 Pinole rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
Pinole code 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. No more than 2 consecutive days.
All 6 Pinole 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)
Pinole code SB 9 lot split projects under the SB 9 Urban Lot Split chapter are exempt. Density bonus units are excluded from the count of required affordable units.
All 7 Pinole rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Pinole code 1 space per dwelling unit. 1 space per dwelling unit.
All 8 Pinole rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Pinole code Up to 32 square feet. 1 per dwelling unit or rentable room.
Trash and recycling carts
| Required collection service |
|
|---|
Other Pinole rules on this
Pinole'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. 17.42)
- Keeping bees and other animals at home (§ 6.04.060)
- General noise rules (§ 8.35.030)
- Outdoor lighting rules (§ 17.46.050)
- Development impact fees (Ch. 3.20)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Pinole?
Pinole has a chapter on fences, walls and screening (Chapter 17.42). Pinole also has a related rule: Fences, walls and screening (Ch. 17.42).
Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Pinole?
Pinole's code: Oversized: over 7.5 feet high or wide, over 22 feet long with trailer, or over 10,000 pounds rated weight. (An oversized vehicle may not park more than 3 hours at any location in the city.) (§ 10.78.010).
What are the rules for building in a Pinole flood zone?
Pinole's code: At or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved buildings, including homes; the lowest floor includes any basement.) (§ 15.48.170); No fill, new construction, substantial improvements or other development unless certified as causing no flood level increase. (In designated floodways; a registered professional engineer or architect must certify it.) (§ 15.48.210).
Can I run a family child care home in Pinole?
California law sets this for every city, including Pinole: 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 Pinole?
Pinole's code: Owner must start collection service within 7 days of occupancy; if not, the collector starts it after a notice. (Owner of a premises.) (§ 8.08.100).
General information, not legal advice.
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