Plumas County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Plumas County
In unincorporated Plumas County, the county code sets fence heights and permit needs, with a 4-foot limit within 10 feet of the front property line in the 2-R, 3-R, 7-R and M-R zones. These county rules apply only in unincorporated areas.
Key points
- Fence heights: Outside industrial zones, fences are limited to 8 feet; fences over 7 feet need a building permit and must meet yard requirements.
- Fire-zone spacing: State Responsibility Area, 1 acre or more: fire-resistant detached accessory buildings inside the 30-foot setback must be 20 feet from other buildings.
Each rule below is marked Plumas County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Plumas County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Plumas County have their own codes and their own pages.
Fences and walls
Plumas County code Outside industrial zones, fences are limited to 8 feet; fences over 7 feet need a building permit and must meet yard requirements.
All 4 Plumas County rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Distance from the house |
|
|---|
Pets, chickens and bees
Plumas County code Yes; at most 6 chickens per legal parcel. Yes; at most 12 chickens.
All 5 Plumas County rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Building in a floodway |
|
|---|---|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
|
|---|---|
| Alarm permit |
|
Trash and recycling carts
Plumas County code No collector required, but waste must be removed at least weekly by the owner, occupant or a collector. Not required: garbage, rubbish and garden refuse may go in the same container.
All 4 Plumas County rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Plumas County rules on this
Plumas County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Development impact fee program (Ch. 9-10)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Plumas County?
State Responsibility Area, 1 acre or more: fire-resistant detached accessory buildings inside the 30-foot setback must be 20 feet from other buildings.
What are the rules for building in a Plumas County flood zone?
Plumas County's code: The lowest floor, including basement, must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in an A zone.) (§ 8-17.301); No encroachment unless a registered engineer or architect certifies no base flood elevation rise. (Applies to encroachment in a floodway, during the base flood discharge.) (§ 8-17.303).
Can I run a family child care home in Plumas County?
California law sets this for every city, including Plumas County: 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 Plumas County?
Plumas County's code: Service fees are set by the County's master fee ordinance. (False alarms within any consecutive 12-month period.) (§ 4-8.07); $50.00 fine for each false alarm. (Operating a non-registered alarm system.) (§ 4-8.07).
General information, not legal advice.
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