Pleasanton · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Pleasanton
Pleasanton limits how much of the required rear yard accessory structures may cover and sets setbacks for pools, spas and pool equipment, including 5 feet from the pool water line. Gunsmiths and firearm sales are not allowed as home occupations.
Key points
- Right-of-way permit: A hedge, fence, shrub or similar structure in a watercourse or right-of-way needs a permit.
- Rear-yard coverage: In R districts, accessory structures may cover at most 500 square feet or 10 percent of the required rear yard, whichever is greater.
- Banned businesses: Gunsmiths and firearm sales are not allowed as home occupations in Pleasanton.
Each rule below is marked Pleasanton code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Permit |
|
|---|
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Pleasanton code In R districts, accessory structures may cover at most 500 square feet or 10 percent of the required rear yard, whichever is greater.
All 4 Pleasanton rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
| Businesses not allowed |
|
|---|
Lot splits under SB 9
Pleasanton code No more than 2 parcels; neither may be smaller than 40% of the original lot area. Each lot must be at least 1,200 square feet.
All 18 Pleasanton rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Tree removal
Pleasanton code No permit is needed for normal maintenance and pruning. Grounds include a dead, dying, diseased or hazardous tree, or one damaging utilities or structures that cannot be saved.
All 5 Pleasanton rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Swimming pools
Pleasanton code Pools, hot tubs and spas must be fully surrounded by a fence or barrier meeting California Building Code pool rules. Existing pool enclosures may not be removed, replaced or changed in a way that makes them less safe.
All 7 Pleasanton rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Pleasanton code Yes, no more than 2 hives. The beekeeper must live on the property. Yes, no more than 10 hives.
All 5 Pleasanton rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Pleasanton code A development permit is needed before construction or development begins. No fill, new construction, substantial improvements or other development unless certified to cause no flood level increase.
All 5 Pleasanton rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
| Grading and retaining walls |
|
|---|
Park and impact fees for new homes
| Exemptions |
|
|---|---|
| How the park fee is set |
|
Noise and construction hours
Pleasanton code 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sundays and holidays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
All 4 Pleasanton rules on noise and construction hours, 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)
Pleasanton code Affordability lasts in perpetuity. Accessory and junior accessory dwelling units are excluded from the project unit count.
All 9 Pleasanton rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Pleasanton code At least 1 space per dwelling unit must be in a garage or carport. 1 parking space for each 7 units.
All 6 Pleasanton rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
| Election and other noncommercial signs |
|
|---|
Trash and recycling carts
| Sorting organics and green waste |
|
|---|
Other Pleasanton rules on this
Pleasanton's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- EV charger readiness for new homes (§ 20.26.080) — new construction only
- Solar energy system requirements (§ 20.70.040)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Pleasanton?
A hedge, fence, shrub or similar structure in a watercourse or right-of-way needs a permit.
Can I run a business from my home in Pleasanton?
Gunsmiths and firearm sales are not allowed as home occupations in Pleasanton.
What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Pleasanton?
Pleasanton's code: Natural open space stays free of grading, digging and structures, except approved trails, picnic areas, stables and similar amenities. (Hillside planned development permits; areas shown as natural open space on the approved plan.) (§ 18.76.170).
What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Pleasanton?
Pleasanton's code: The master fee schedule rate for each land use, times the project's gross square footage or number of units. (Capital facilities fee; rates are adjusted each January 1.) (§ 3.22.040).
Can I run a family child care home in Pleasanton?
California law sets this for every city, including Pleasanton: 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 Pleasanton?
Pleasanton's code: Within 5 days after the election. (Political campaign signs.) (§ 18.100.060).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Pleasanton?
Pleasanton's code: Separate solid waste, recyclables and organic waste into the carts or bins meant for separate collection. (§ 9.20.050).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Pleasanton property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question