Rocklin · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Rocklin

Rocklin sets its own limits on fences and accessory structures on residential lots. Fence height depends on the yard, the lot type and the fence design, and fences near intersections must meet the city's visibility standards.

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Key points

Fence height: Residential fences are limited to 30 inches in the required front setback and 6 feet along and inside side and rear property lines.
Accessory structures: Accessory structures in residential zones have city distance rules of 5 and 10 feet; barns, stables and animal buildings, 20 feet.

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

Fences and walls

Rocklin code Residential fences are limited to 30 inches in the required front setback and 6 feet along and inside side and rear property lines.

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

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Rocklin code Accessory structures in residential zones have city distance rules of 5 and 10 feet; barns, stables and animal buildings, 20 feet.

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

Tree removal

Rocklin code No mitigation is required to remove a dead, dying or diseased oak tree. No mitigation is required to remove a dead or diseased oak tree.

All 10 Rocklin rules on tree removal, with the code text →

Swimming pools

Rocklin code An enclosure must separate the pool from the home. Home doors opening directly to the pool that do not meet the door rules need exit alarms.

All 8 Rocklin rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Rocklin code Bees must be kept at least 500 feet from any building where people or animals live or are kept. 1 horse on 30,000 square feet or more; 2 on 1 acre net or more; plus up to 2 young.

All 7 Rocklin rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Rocklin code What Rocklin's code adds
Floodplain permit	A flood zone development permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes. Applies: In any special flood hazard area. § 15.16.150 · code text A flood zone development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.16.070.
Building in a floodway	No new building or development, including fill, unless all development combined raises base flood level no more than 1 foot. Applies: Zones A1-30 and AE, until a regulatory floodway is adopted; measured at any point in the city. § 15.16.240 · code text Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones A1-30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the city. No fill, new building, substantial improvement or other development unless a civil engineer certifies no rise in flood levels. Applies: Inside an adopted regulatory floodway. § 15.16.240 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the city shall prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development, unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating that the proposed encroachment 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 must be at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones. § 15.16.170 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 Zones, elevated to at least two feet above the base flood elevation. At least the FIRM depth number, in feet, above the highest nearby grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with a depth number on the FIRM. § 15.16.170 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated to at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. At least 2 feet above the highest nearby grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with no depth number on the FIRM. § 15.16.170 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated to at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone with no base flood elevation on the FIRM. § 15.16.170 · code text In an A zone, without BFE's specified on the FIRM [unnumbered A zone], elevated to at least two feet above the base flood elevation; as determined under Section 15.16.140.C.

Grading and erosion control

Rocklin code What Rocklin's code adds
Erosion control plan	An erosion and sediment control plan is required with any grading approval. § 15.28.230 · code text An erosion and sediment control plan shall be required with any grading approval and shall include the following items:
Grading without a permit	No permit for digs or fills of 50 cubic yards or less on slopes under 20%, within listed limits. Applies: Digs under 2 feet, fills 1 foot or less, faces 2:1 or flatter, no drainage change; unless project conditions require approval; best practices apply. § 15.28.060 · code text A. Excavations for cemetery graves; B. Excavations for wells;

Park and impact fees for new homes

Rocklin code What Rocklin's code adds
How the park fee is set	A fee per unit, in an amount set by city council resolution. Applies: Apartment buildings of 3 or more units on a parcel where no park fees were paid under the Subdivision Map Act. § 3.16.040 · code text Where a building intended for multiple-family occupancy which contains three or more dwelling units is constructed on a parcel of land for which no park fees have been paid pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act, a sum per dwelling unit, in amount established by resolution of the city council, shall be imposed as a tax
When the fee applies	The fee applies to buildings with 3 or more units. Applies: Apartment buildings on a parcel where no park fees were paid under the Subdivision Map Act. § 3.16.040 · code text Where a building intended for multiple-family occupancy which contains three or more dwelling units is constructed on a parcel of land for which no park fees have been paid pursuant to the Subdivision Map Act

Noise and construction hours

Rocklin code 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays. 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

All 4 Rocklin rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →

Garage and yard sales

Rocklin code Each sale may last no longer than 72 hours. No special event permit is needed.

All 4 Rocklin rules on garage and yard sales, 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)

Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)

Rocklin code In-lieu fees are not available unless the city council approves them and sets amounts by resolution. Inclusionary rules apply to housing projects of 10 or more dwelling units.

All 7 Rocklin rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →

Parking spaces required for homes

Rocklin code Two-car garage, at least 400 square feet and 20 by 20 feet, plus driveway pad at least 20 feet long One-car garage, at least 240 square feet (12 by 20 feet), plus a paved carport or uncovered space

All 3 Rocklin rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Rocklin code Exterior bells, gongs and similar devices must turn off within 15 minutes of starting. $50

All 6 Rocklin rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Signs on homes

Rocklin code At most 16 square feet per sign At most 6 feet high

All 9 Rocklin rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

Rocklin code What Rocklin's code adds
Required collection service	Solid waste collection is mandatory for owners of single-family and multiple-family dwellings Applies: Owners of single-family and multiple-family dwellings (and businesses) § 13.08.050 · code text There is imposed a mandatory scheme of solid waste collection within the city. The owner of a single-family dwelling, multiple-family dwelling or business establishment is liable for the minimum collection service charge applicable to the collection of one container per week of the type specified in Section 13.04.060, whether or not the collection service is used. The owner may apply to the council for an exemption from mandatory collection Applies: Residence so far from a public or private street that presenting waste for collection is a substantial hardship § 13.08.050 · code text A person whose residence is located such a distance from a public or private street that a substantial hardship results to that person from the requirement that solid waste be presented for collection on a mandatory basis may apply to the council for an exemption from the mandatory provisions hereof.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the rules for building in a Rocklin flood zone?

Rocklin's code: A flood zone development permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes. (In any special flood hazard area.) (§ 15.16.150); The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 15.16.170).

What are the grading rules in Rocklin?

Rocklin's code: No permit for digs or fills of 50 cubic yards or less on slopes under 20%, within listed limits. (Digs under 2 feet, fills 1 foot or less, faces 2:1 or flatter, no drainage change; unless project conditions require approval; best practices apply.) (§ 15.28.060); An erosion and sediment control plan is required with any grading approval. (§ 15.28.230).

What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Rocklin?

Rocklin's code: A fee per unit, in an amount set by city council resolution. (Apartment buildings of 3 or more units on a parcel where no park fees were paid under the Subdivision Map Act.) (§ 3.16.040); The fee applies to buildings with 3 or more units. (Apartment buildings on a parcel where no park fees were paid under the Subdivision Map Act.) (§ 3.16.040).

Can I run a family child care home in Rocklin?

California law sets this for every city, including Rocklin: 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 Rocklin?

Rocklin's code: Solid waste collection is mandatory for owners of single-family and multiple-family dwellings (Owners of single-family and multiple-family dwellings (and businesses)) (§ 13.08.050); The owner may apply to the council for an exemption from mandatory collection (Residence so far from a public or private street that presenting waste for collection is a substantial hardship) (§ 13.08.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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