Rio Vista · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Rio Vista
Rio Vista sets its own rules for fences and home businesses. A home business needs a permit from the department of community development and may not sell goods directly from the premises.
Key points
- Fence height: Fences are limited to 7 feet in interior side or rear yards, and 3 feet in sight triangles of front or corner street-side yards.
- Home businesses: A home business may use at most 25% of the home, main building only, with no non-resident employees unless a use permit is approved.
Each rule below is marked Rio Vista code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Corner visibility |
|
|---|---|
| Side and rear yard height |
|
Running a business from home
Rio Vista code A home business may use at most 25% of the home, main building only, with no non-resident employees unless a use permit is approved.
All 5 Rio Vista rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Rio Vista code All needed permits are issued when the application meets the city's adopted checklist and health and safety laws. The permit is issued the same day.
All 3 Rio Vista rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
Rio Vista code A permanent fence must fully enclose the pool. At least 5 feet high.
All 5 Rio Vista rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Rio Vista code No more than 3 dogs. No more than 3 cats.
All 3 Rio Vista rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Building in a floodway |
|
|---|---|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Grading and erosion control
Rio Vista code A qualified person must prepare an erosion and sediment control plan, submitted with the final grading plan. A post-construction erosion and sediment control plan must be submitted with the final grading plan.
All 4 Rio Vista rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
| Exemptions |
|
|---|
Noise and construction hours
Rio Vista code Noise may not exceed 75 dBA. Noise may not exceed 60 dBA.
All 4 Rio Vista rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
Rio Vista code A sale may last no more than 2 days in a row. You need a permit from the city clerk; the fee is $1.00.
All 3 Rio Vista rules on garage and yard sales, with the code text →
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
Rio Vista code At least 9 feet wide and 20 feet long At least 10 feet wide
All 9 Rio Vista rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| Where carts are kept |
|
|---|
Other Rio Vista rules on this
Rio Vista's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- No unhitched trailers on residential streets (§ 10.12.200) — on public streets
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Rio Vista?
Fences are limited to 7 feet in interior side or rear yards, and 3 feet in sight triangles of front or corner street-side yards.
What are the rules for building in a Rio Vista flood zone?
Rio Vista's code: The lowest floor, including basement, must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved buildings in Zones A1-30, AE and AH.) (§ 15.16.080); The lowest floor must be at least as high above the highest adjacent ground as the flood map depth number. (New or substantially improved buildings in Zone AO where the flood map shows a depth number.) (§ 15.16.080).
Can I run a family child care home in Rio Vista?
California law sets this for every city, including Rio Vista: 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 Rio Vista?
Rio Vista's code: Keep on private grounds or premises, in designated containers; not on any street, alley, sidewalk, footpath or public place (§ 8.12.040).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Rio Vista property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question