Plymouth · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Plymouth
Plymouth sets height and setback limits for each type of accessory structure and limits primary and accessory structures together to 60% of a residential lot. Home occupations need a permit and a city business license, with no employees other than residents.
Key points
- Accessory height: Sheds, garages, carports and other accessory structures are limited to 12 feet; closed-roof ones between 12 and 16 feet need an Administrative Use Permit.
- Shed setbacks: Closed-roof structures such as sheds need 3 feet from interior side and rear lines, 5 feet from the rear where an alley is present.
- Home business size: Home occupations: at most 10% or 200 square feet of floor area, whichever is less, inside the dwelling; at most 2 customers per day.
- Fences: Plymouth has a chapter on fences, walls, gates and screening (Chapter 19.82).
Each rule below is marked Plymouth 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
Plymouth code Sheds, garages, carports and other accessory structures are limited to 12 feet; closed-roof ones between 12 and 16 feet need an Administrative Use Permit. Closed-roof structures such as sheds need 3 feet from interior side and rear lines, 5 feet from the rear where an alley is present.
All 13 Plymouth rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Plymouth code Home occupations: at most 10% or 200 square feet of floor area, whichever is less, inside the dwelling; at most 2 customers per day.
All 8 Plymouth rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Plymouth code The Building Official issues all needed permits when the application meets the City's checklist and all laws and safety standards. Electronic submittal is allowed.
All 5 Plymouth rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Plymouth code No tree removal permit is required. No tree removal permit is required.
Pets, chickens and bees
Plymouth code Yes, up to 6 hens. Yes, up to 12 hens.
All 5 Plymouth rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
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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Park and impact fees for new homes
| Exemptions |
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|---|
Noise and construction hours
| Quiet hours |
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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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
Plymouth code No front yard may be used for off-street parking. 10 feet by 20 feet.
All 6 Plymouth rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Plymouth code Up to 3 flags or poles. Up to 6 flags or poles.
All 7 Plymouth rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Other Plymouth rules on this
Plymouth's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Fences, walls, gates and screening (Ch. 19.82)
- Limits on parking trailers (Ch. 10.29) — streets and private land
- Draining a swimming pool (§ 13.07.110)
- Garage, estate and rummage sales (Ch. 5.09)
- Grading permit (§ 19.72.060)
- Outdoor lighting rules (§ 19.80.050)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Plymouth?
Plymouth has a chapter on fences, walls, gates and screening (Chapter 19.82). Plymouth also has a related rule: Fences, walls, gates and screening (Ch. 19.82).
What are the rules for building in a Plymouth flood zone?
Plymouth's code: A development permit is needed before construction or development; applications may show structures, fill, stored materials and drainage. (In areas of special flood hazard, flood-related erosion hazard or mudslide.) (§ 8.11.410); At or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved buildings, including homes, in special flood hazard areas other than Zone AO; includes basements.) (§ 8.11.510).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Plymouth?
Plymouth's code: 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. (Every day; the noise rules apply only during these hours.) (§ 9.01.030).
Can I run a family child care home in Plymouth?
California law sets this for every city, including Plymouth: 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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