Rancho Cordova · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Rancho Cordova
Rancho Cordova limits fence heights by yard and keeps intersection visibility areas at 30 inches. Many uses are not allowed as home businesses, including firearms sales, restaurants, medical clinics, vehicle repair and tattoo services.
Key points
- Fence heights: Front yard fences: at most 3 feet, or 5 feet if open and set back 3 feet; rear and interior side yards, 7 feet.
- Accessory structures: Rancho Cordova has a chapter on accessory structures (Chapter 23.734).
- Home businesses: Home businesses need zoning certification and a city business license, with at most 1 business visitor an hour and 8 a day.
Each rule below is marked Rancho Cordova code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Rancho Cordova code Front yard fences: at most 3 feet, or 5 feet if open and set back 3 feet; rear and interior side yards, 7 feet.
All 4 Rancho Cordova rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Rancho Cordova code Home businesses need zoning certification and a city business license, with at most 1 business visitor an hour and 8 a day.
All 7 Rancho Cordova rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Size limit |
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|---|---|
| Parking on the street |
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Solar panels and EV chargers
Rancho Cordova code Administrative, nondiscretionary review. A permit is issued when the application meets the approved checklist and standard plan. 1 inspection. Requested inspections are scheduled within 1 to 3 business days.
All 3 Rancho Cordova rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
| Exemptions |
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|---|---|
| Permit to remove |
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Swimming pools
Rancho Cordova code No more than 2 inches between the ground and the bottom of the enclosure. Gaps may not let a sphere of 4 inches or more pass.
All 6 Rancho Cordova rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Rancho Cordova code Advised: up to 2 hives, on a lot of at least 6,000 square feet. Advised: up to 4 hives.
All 8 Rancho Cordova rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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|---|
Grading and erosion control
| When a grading permit is needed |
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|---|---|
| Grading without a permit |
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Noise and construction hours
Rancho Cordova code Noise may not exceed 55 dBA. Noise may not exceed 50 dBA.
All 5 Rancho Cordova rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| Fixture height |
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|---|---|
| Light at the property line |
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| Shielding |
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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 |
Group homes and residential care
| Distance between homes |
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|---|
Parking spaces required for homes
| Guest parking |
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|---|---|
| Spaces per apartment or condo |
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| Spaces for a single-family home |
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Signs on homes
Rancho Cordova code Up to 32 square feet. Up to 90 days.
All 10 Rancho Cordova rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Rancho Cordova code Subscribe to garbage, recycling and organics container collection service. Subscribe to collection service from a residential franchisee operating under this chapter.
All 4 Rancho Cordova rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Rancho Cordova rules on this
Rancho Cordova's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Accessory structures (Ch. 23.734)
- Transportation impact fee (§ 16.84.050)
- Storm drainage impact fee (§ 16.95.050)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Rancho Cordova?
Rancho Cordova has a chapter on accessory structures (Chapter 23.734). Rancho Cordova also has a related rule: Accessory structures (Ch. 23.734).
Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Rancho Cordova?
Rancho Cordova's code: Vehicles over 7 feet high, 7.5 feet wide, 20 feet long or 10,000 pounds GVWR may not park on streets. (Motor homes, campers, trailers and other commercial or recreational vehicles; length includes trailer. Allowed in the M-2 zone or posted areas.) (§ 10.24.075).
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Rancho Cordova?
Rancho Cordova's code: Yes. A permit from the public works director is required. (Applies to breaking, injuring, killing or destroying a protected tree.) (§ 19.12.090); Pruning broken branches damaged by weather or failure needs no protected tree permit. (Applies to broken branches damaged by weather or failure.) (§ 19.12.100).
What are the rules for building in a Rancho Cordova flood zone?
Rancho Cordova's code: Required: a floodplain management permit with site, grading, excavation and fill plans; fee is the city's actual review cost. (§ 16.96.320).
What are the grading rules in Rancho Cordova?
Rancho Cordova's code: You need a grading permit for 350 cubic yards or more. (You also need one to clear and grub 1 acre or more.) (§ 16.44.050); Exempt: grading under 350 cubic yards, clearing under 1 acre, permitted pools, basements or footings, and underground utilities. (The chapter's standards still apply.) (§ 16.44.060).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Rancho Cordova?
Rancho Cordova's code: Lights must be fully shielded and/or recessed, aimed down and away from neighbors and public rights-of-way. (§ 23.725.060); Light may be no more than 1/10 foot-candle. (Measured at the nearest home or the rear yard setback line.) (§ 23.725.060).
Can I run a family child care home in Rancho Cordova?
California law sets this for every city, including Rancho Cordova: 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 Rancho Cordova?
Rancho Cordova's code: Large residential care homes must be at least 1,000 feet apart. (Applies to separation from other residential care home facilities.) (§ 23.901.090).
How many parking spaces does a home need in Rancho Cordova?
Rancho Cordova's code: 0.2 space per unit. (Multifamily dwellings.) (§ 23.719.070); 1 space per unit. (Studio and one-bedroom units.) (§ 23.719.070).
General information, not legal advice.
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