Portola · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Portola
Portola sets fence heights by location on single- and two-family lots, and allows up to 8 feet for noise attenuation or buffering with an administrative permit. Fences and walls over 8 feet need a conditional use permit.
Key points
- Fence heights: Fences: at most 6 feet; 4 feet in front setbacks and near corner-lot street sides; 36 inches in corner clear vision triangles.
- Accessory buildings: Accessory buildings over 7 feet: limited to 15 feet and 1 story; detached ones to 700 square feet without a conditional use permit.
- Home occupations: Portola has a chapter on home occupations (Chapter 17.55).
Each rule below is marked Portola code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Portola code Fences: at most 6 feet; 4 feet in front setbacks and near corner-lot street sides; 36 inches in corner clear vision triangles.
All 7 Portola rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Portola code Accessory buildings over 7 feet: limited to 15 feet and 1 story; detached ones to 700 square feet without a conditional use permit.
All 5 Portola rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Bees |
|
|---|---|
| Permit |
|
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 |
Group homes and residential care
| Homes for 7 or more |
|
|---|
Signs on homes
Portola code Up to 60 square feet in total of temporary signs per parcel. Up to 5 feet high, unless a specific sign type allows otherwise.
Trash and recycling carts
Portola code Occupied residential premises must subscribe to collection service from the city's franchisee, in the property owner's name. Containers may not remain in the front yard or public right-of-way more than 24 hours after collection day.
All 3 Portola rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Portola rules on this
Portola's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Home occupations (Ch. 17.55)
- Where you may park an RV or trailer on your lot (§ 10.40.087)
- Building in a flood hazard area (§ 17.47.050)
- Traffic impact fee on new buildings (§ 10.44.010)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Portola?
Portola has a chapter on home occupations (Chapter 17.55). Portola also has a related rule: Home occupations (Ch. 17.55).
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Portola?
Portola's code: No, unless the animal chapter specifically allows it; a violation is an infraction with a fine up to $250. (§ 6.08.050).
Can I run a family child care home in Portola?
California law sets this for every city, including Portola: 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)).
Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in Portola?
Portola's code: An administrative permit is required, approved by the city manager or designee. (Applies to large community care facilities in residential districts.) (§ 17.48.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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