Pismo Beach · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach limits fence heights by setback, with site plan and architectural review for taller fences and a coastal development permit in bluff setbacks. Detached garages are limited to 1,000 square feet per dwelling unit unless the director approves more.
Key points
- Fence heights: Fences, hedges and walls are limited to 42 inches in front and street side setbacks and 6 feet in rear and interior side yards.
- Accessory setbacks: Residential accessory structures must be at least 10 feet from any rear property line and 5 feet from any side property line.
- Home businesses: Home occupations need a permit and zoning clearance, with 1 client at a time and no employees on site other than residents.
Each rule below is marked Pismo Beach code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Pismo Beach code Fences, hedges and walls are limited to 42 inches in front and street side setbacks and 6 feet in rear and interior side yards.
All 9 Pismo Beach rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Pismo Beach code Residential accessory structures must be at least 10 feet from any rear property line and 5 feet from any side property line.
All 7 Pismo Beach rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Pismo Beach code Home occupations need a permit and zoning clearance, with 1 client at a time and no employees on site other than residents.
All 5 Pismo Beach rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Pismo Beach code About equal; each new lot between 40% and 60% of the original parcel. Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet.
All 17 Pismo Beach rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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|---|---|
| Solar permit process |
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Tree removal
Pismo Beach code Dead trees, as verified by the director, are exempt. Domestic oaks 8 inches or less in diameter, outside public right-of-way and front or street side setbacks, are exempt.
All 7 Pismo Beach rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Swimming pools
| Setback from property lines |
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Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
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| Height of the lowest floor |
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Building on a hillside
Pismo Beach code Slope stability engineering studies proving safe construction is feasible are required. No grading on slopes greater than 20%.
All 6 Pismo Beach rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
Pismo Beach code The citywide average land value, $700,000 per acre, times the park acreage required per unit or lot. 4 acres per 1,000 residents.
All 5 Pismo Beach rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
Pismo Beach code Not allowed at any time on Sundays or holidays. Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
All 8 Pismo Beach rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| Shielding |
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|---|
Garage and yard sales
| How long a sale may last |
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|---|---|
| Permit |
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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 |
|---|---|
| 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)
Pismo Beach code Residential projects of 4 or fewer lots or new dwelling units are exempt. Residential additions, repairs or remodels that do not add 5 or more dwelling units are exempt.
All 9 Pismo Beach rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Pismo Beach code 1 guest parking space for every 4 units. 1 guest parking space for every 2 units.
All 5 Pismo Beach rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Pismo Beach code Max 3 sq ft each, unlit; up no earlier than 45 days before the election; down within 7 days after. Name plates with the occupant's name and address, no advertising, up to 3 square feet and 3 feet high.
All 5 Pismo Beach rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Pismo Beach code All premises where garbage or solid waste is produced must use the city's collection service. At collection time, place containers on the premises within 5 feet of the rear property line.
All 3 Pismo Beach rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Pismo Beach rules on this
Pismo Beach's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Raising and keeping animals (§ 6.04.060)
- Drainage and erosion rules on sloped lots (§ 17.078.020) — sloped areas only
- Hillside grading standards (§ 17.28.050) — hillside areas only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Pismo Beach?
Pismo Beach's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review; electronic submittal with fees is allowed. (Small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 15.12.010); Administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review; electronic submittal with fees is allowed. (Electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 15.12.020).
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Pismo Beach?
Pismo Beach's code: At least 5 feet from rear and side property lines. (Pools, hot tubs, spas and their equipment; blufftop setbacks also apply.) (§ 17.102.130).
What are the rules for building in a Pismo Beach flood zone?
Pismo Beach's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.44.150); At or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A zones.) (§ 15.44.170).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Pismo Beach?
Pismo Beach's code: Lights must be shielded or recessed to keep glare on site and aimed down, away from neighbors and public rights-of-way. (All new exterior lighting.) (§ 17.24.100).
What are the garage sale rules in Pismo Beach?
Pismo Beach's code: No more than 4 days per calendar year in total. (Selling your own household goods from your own home without a business license.) (§ 5.04.500); No license is required. (Selling your own household goods from your own home, up to 4 days per calendar year.) (§ 5.04.500).
Can I run a family child care home in Pismo Beach?
California law sets this for every city, including Pismo Beach: 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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