Rio Dell · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Rio Dell

Rio Dell sets its own rules for fences, detached accessory buildings and home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard and the fence type, and a home business needs a permit and a current business license.

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Key points

Fence height: Front-yard fences are limited to 4 feet, or 7 feet for ornamental metal fences at least 60% open; side and rear yards, 7 feet.
Accessory setbacks: Detached accessory buildings must be at least 5 feet from a side lot line and from any main building (city rule).
Home businesses: A home business may use at most 25% of the home or 500 square feet, whichever is more, with no customer services on site.

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

Fences and walls

Rio Dell code Front-yard fences are limited to 4 feet, or 7 feet for ornamental metal fences at least 60% open; side and rear yards, 7 feet.

All 6 Rio Dell rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Rio Dell code What Rio Dell's code adds
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from a side lot line. Applies: Detached accessory buildings; they also cannot be built on any easement. § 17.30.370 · code text Detached accessory buildings may not be located within five feet of any main building, nor within five feet of a side line, nor as to encroach on any easement.
Distance from the house	At least 5 feet from any main building. Applies: Detached accessory buildings. § 17.30.370 · code text Detached accessory buildings may not be located within five feet of any main building, nor within five feet of a side line, nor as to encroach on any easement.

Running a business from home

Rio Dell code A home business may use at most 25% of the home or 500 square feet, whichever is more, with no customer services on site.

All 8 Rio Dell rules on running a business from home, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Rio Dell code What Rio Dell's code adds
EV charger permit	The Building Official approves and issues all permits when the application meets the City checklist and laws. Applies: Applies to EV charging stations. Electronic applications and signatures are accepted. § 15.25.020 · code text the Building Official shall implement an expedited administrative permit review process for electric vehicle charging stations
Solar permit process	Administrative approval after a complete checklist application; only 1 inspection is required. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.20.020 · code text Upon confirmation by the Building Official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.

Swimming pools

Rio Dell code No openings larger than 4 inches. At least 4 feet high.

All 7 Rio Dell rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Rio Dell code What Rio Dell's code adds
Floodplain permit	You need a development permit before construction or development begins. Applies: Applies in special flood hazard areas. § 15.15.120 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in RDMC § 15.15.070.
Building in a floodway	No fill, construction or other development unless certified not to raise base flood levels. Applies: Areas designated as floodways. § 15.15.200 · code text Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development unless certification by a registered professional engineer or architect is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor, including basement, must be 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes and other buildings. § 15.15.150 · code text New construction and substantial improvements of any structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated to one foot above the base flood elevation.

Garage and yard sales

Rio Dell code What Rio Dell's code adds
Permit	First 2 sales a year: no license fee; more sales pay a daily fee set by resolution, in advance. § 5.05.380 · code text The first two such sales shall be exempt.

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)

Group homes and residential care

Rio Dell code What Rio Dell's code adds
Homes for 6 or fewer	Not subject to use permit or other fees that other same-type family dwellings in the zone are not subject to. Applies: Applies to facilities serving 6 or fewer persons. § 5.05.430 · code text A residential care facility for the elderly, which serves six or fewer persons, shall not be subject to any business taxes, local registration fees, use permit fees, or other fees to which other family dwellings of the same type in the same zone are not likewise subject.

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Rio Dell code Up to 6 false alarms within a 6-month period are not excessive. An alarm permit is required.

All 3 Rio Dell rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Other Rio Dell rules on this

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

Horse shelter and poultry rules (§ 6.05.120)
Construction noise and hours (§ 15.05.060)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Rio Dell?

Detached accessory buildings must be at least 5 feet from a side lot line and from any main building (city rule).

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Rio Dell?

Rio Dell's code: Administrative approval after a complete checklist application; only 1 inspection is required. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.20.020); The Building Official approves and issues all permits when the application meets the City checklist and laws. (Applies to EV charging stations. Electronic applications and signatures are accepted.) (§ 15.25.020).

What are the rules for building in a Rio Dell flood zone?

Rio Dell's code: You need a development permit before construction or development begins. (Applies in special flood hazard areas.) (§ 15.15.120); The lowest floor, including basement, must be 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes and other buildings.) (§ 15.15.150).

What are the garage sale rules in Rio Dell?

Rio Dell's code: First 2 sales a year: no license fee; more sales pay a daily fee set by resolution, in advance. (§ 5.05.380).

Can I run a family child care home in Rio Dell?

California law sets this for every city, including Rio Dell: 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 Rio Dell?

Rio Dell's code: Not subject to use permit or other fees that other same-type family dwellings in the zone are not subject to. (Applies to facilities serving 6 or fewer persons.) (§ 5.05.430).

General information, not legal advice.

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