Red Bluff · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Red Bluff

Red Bluff sets fence heights in its residential districts, with a lower limit in front yards. On a corner lot next to a key lot, a taller street side fence needs the key lot owner's written consent and Community Development Director approval.

Ask about building on your lot in Red Bluff See coverage

Key points

Fence heights: R-1 to R-4, H-R and MHCA: fences at most 42 inches in front yards and corner street sides near key lots; 6 feet elsewhere.
Accessory buildings: Detached accessory buildings without living quarters in a rear yard are limited to 1 story.

Each rule below is marked Red Bluff code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Fences and walls

Red Bluff code R-1 to R-4, H-R and MHCA: fences at most 42 inches in front yards and corner street sides near key lots; 6 feet elsewhere.

All 3 Red Bluff rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Red Bluff code Detached accessory buildings without living quarters in a rear yard are limited to 1 story.

All 3 Red Bluff rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Red Bluff code What Red Bluff's code adds
EV charger permit	Apply in person, by email, fax or online; expedited review for applications meeting the EV checklist. Applies: Applies to EV charging station permit applications eligible for expedited review. § 5.54 · code text Applications for EVCS permits and any supporting documents may be submitted in person, by email, facsimile, or through an online permitting system. The Building Official approves and issues all permits when complete and safe; only 1 inspection. Applies: Applies to EV charging station permits with no specific, adverse impact on public health or safety. § 5.55 · code text Only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection by the Building Inspector.

Swimming pools

Red Bluff code What Red Bluff's code adds
Maintenance and empty pools	Pool water may go into the city sewer only as needed to keep the pool clean. Applies: Applies to pools with an adequate, proper filter system. § 24.47 · code text Only the discharge as is necessary to maintain the cleanliness of the pool shall be permitted.
Permit	Yes; plan approval and a Building Inspector permit before building, and notice when installation is complete. Applies: Applies to anyone building a swimming pool. § 24.43 · code text All persons who desire to construct a swimming pool after the effective date of this article shall obtain approval of their plan prior to construction and a permit therefor from the Building Inspector and shall give notice of the completion of the installation.

Pets, chickens and bees

Red Bluff code What Red Bluff's code adds
Pet limit	Limit of 3 dogs over 4 months old. Applies: Does not apply to veterinarians, commercial kennel operators or pet shop operators; another chapter controls if it conflicts. § 4.33 · code text No person shall own, keep or harbor four or more dogs over the age of four months.

Also in Red Bluff's code: Limit on the number of dogs per home (§ 4.33). This page does not summarize it yet.

Building in a flood zone

Red Bluff code You need a development permit before any construction or other development begins in any special flood hazard area. Banned unless a registered professional engineer certifies no base flood rise, structures that withstand floods, and standards met.

All 3 Red Bluff rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
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)

Parking spaces required for homes

Red Bluff code Spaces need not be covered. 1 visitor space per 5 dwelling units.

All 4 Red Bluff rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

Red Bluff code What Red Bluff's code adds
Required collection service	Subscribe to and regularly use the refuse collection service franchised by the city. § 18A.16 · code text The owner, tenant or occupant of every parcel with one or more businesses and/or residential buildings approved for occupancy and located within the city shall subscribe to and thereafter use regularly, the refuse collection service franchised by the city.
Where carts are kept	Store solid waste on the premises so it does not attract vectors or create a nuisance. § 18A.16 · code text The property owner or occupant shall store solid waste on his or her premises or property or shall require it to be stored or handled in a manner so as not to promote the propagation, harborage or attraction of vectors, or the creation of a nuisance.

Other Red Bluff rules on this

Red Bluff's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Limit on the number of dogs per home (§ 4.33)
Living in an RV on a lot (§ 25.205)
Replacing a heritage or native tree you remove (§ 23A.18) — heritage and mature native trees only
Grading plans and erosion control (§ 25.189)
Development impact fees (Ch. 17)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Red Bluff?

Red Bluff's code: Apply in person, by email, fax or online; expedited review for applications meeting the EV checklist. (Applies to EV charging station permit applications eligible for expedited review.) (§ 5.54); The Building Official approves and issues all permits when complete and safe; only 1 inspection. (Applies to EV charging station permits with no specific, adverse impact on public health or safety.) (§ 5.55).

Can I run a family child care home in Red Bluff?

California law sets this for every city, including Red Bluff: 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)).

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Red Bluff?

Red Bluff's code: Subscribe to and regularly use the refuse collection service franchised by the city. (§ 18A.16); Store solid waste on the premises so it does not attract vectors or create a nuisance. (§ 18A.16).

General information, not legal advice.

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