Rohnert Park · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Rohnert Park

Rohnert Park sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard and on what the lot borders, and taller fences need building department approval.

Ask about building on your lot in Rohnert Park See coverage

Key points

Fence height: Fences are limited to 3 feet in the required front yard setback and 6 feet in residential side and rear yards (city rule).
Yard coverage: Detached accessory structures, other than accessory dwelling units, may cover at most 10% of the rear yard (city rule).
Home businesses: A home business needs a business license and may have at most 1 non-resident worker; tutoring and similar services, 1 client at a time.

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

Fences and walls

Rohnert Park code Fences are limited to 3 feet in the required front yard setback and 6 feet in residential side and rear yards (city rule).

All 11 Rohnert Park rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Rohnert Park code Detached accessory structures, other than accessory dwelling units, may cover at most 10% of the rear yard (city rule).

All 4 Rohnert Park rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

Rohnert Park code A home business needs a business license and may have at most 1 non-resident worker; tutoring and similar services, 1 client at a time.

All 7 Rohnert Park rules on running a business from home, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Rohnert Park code What Rohnert Park's code adds
EV charger permit	Permits are issued when the application is complete and the charger has no specific, adverse health or safety impact. Applies: Applies to EV charging stations. § 15.34.060 · code text The building official may deny the building permit if the building official makes a finding based on substantial evidence that the EVCS could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety, and may require application for an conditional use under Section 17.25.010.
Solar permit process	Permits issued when complete and safe; only 1 inspection, scheduled within 3 business days of a request. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar eligible for expedited review, with no specific, adverse impact on public health or safety. § 15.32.060 · code text Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the building division for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review, which shall be scheduled within three business days of a request.

Tree removal

Rohnert Park code Street trees follow the separate public tree care rules instead. No separate tree removal permit; the work is processed with the project's main approval request.

All 12 Rohnert Park rules on tree removal, with the code text →

Swimming pools

Rohnert Park code What Rohnert Park's code adds
Equipment and alarms	Pool and pool equipment may not be in a required front or side yard. Applies: Applies to pools, spas and hot tubs used only by residents and their guests. § 17.07.180 · code text provided swimming pool and accessory mechanical equipment shall not be located in a required front or side yard

Pets, chickens and bees

Rohnert Park code At least 25 feet away. Livestock may be kept only where the zoning code expressly allows it.

All 4 Rohnert Park rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Rohnert Park code What Rohnert Park's code adds
Floodplain permit	A development permit is needed before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes. Applies: In any special flood hazard area. § 15.48.150 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.48.070.
Building in a floodway	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. § 15.48.210 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the city of Rohnert Park 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. 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. § 15.48.210 · 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 of Rohnert Park.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor must be 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones. § 15.48.170 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 zones, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation. The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone with no base flood elevation on the FIRM. § 15.48.170 · code text In an A zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM (unnumbered A zone), elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation; as determined under Section 15.48.140(C).

Grading and erosion control

Rohnert Park code An erosion and sediment control plan by a civil engineer or qualified professional must accompany the grading permit application. An interim plan is needed before each rainy season: submit by September 15, measures in place by October 15.

All 5 Rohnert Park rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →

Park and impact fees for new homes

Rohnert Park code What Rohnert Park's code adds
Exemptions	No fee for second units on single-family lots, accessory structures, added living space to a home, or needed public buildings. Applies: Public facilities (PF) development fee. § 3.28.050 · code text M. Exemptions. The following new developments are exempted from paying the PF fee:

Noise and construction hours

Rohnert Park code What Rohnert Park's code adds
Construction hours on weekdays	8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Applies: Every day; outside construction near or in a residential zone (within 500 feet); a public works permit allows other hours; emergencies need no permit. § 9.44.120 · code text between the hours of six p.m. of one day and eight a.m. of the next day
Leaf blowers and equipment	No use from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays, or 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends and holidays. Applies: Gas or electric leaf blowers and similar devices in residential or commercial districts, including parks, schools and golf courses. § 9.44.115 · code text It is unlawful for any person to operate any gas or electric powered leaf blower, lawn broom or related devices in any residential or commercial district, including parks, schools and golf courses, between the hours of eight o'clock p.m. and eight o'clock a.m. on weekdays or between the hours of eight o'clock p.m. and nine o'clock a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Outdoor lighting

Rohnert Park code What Rohnert Park's code adds
Shielding	Lights must point down, shielded at lot lines, not directly visible from an adjoining residential district. § 17.12.050 · code text Lights shall be of the minimum illumination necessary for a given application and shall be directed downward and shielded at lot lines so as not to be directly visible from an adjoining residential district.

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

Rohnert Park code At most 50% of the total front yard area At least 10 feet wide and 20 feet long, with at least 76 inches of floor-to-ceiling clearance

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

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Rohnert Park code What Rohnert Park's code adds
False alarm fees	A fine for each false alarm that city personnel respond to; the amount is in the fine and fee schedule § 9.65.080 · code text The fine and fee schedule shall set forth a fine amount for each false alarm to which city personnel and equipment respond.
False alarms before a fee	No fine if there was no other false alarm at that location in the previous 365 days § 9.65.040 · code text However, a fine shall not be imposed for the response to such false alarm if there has been no other false alarm caused by the alarm system at that location in the previous three hundred sixty-five days.

Signs on homes

Rohnert Park code What Rohnert Park's code adds
Election and other noncommercial signs	Remove within 10 days after the day of the election Applies: Campaign signs on privately owned property § 17.27.050 · code text All campaign signs must be removed within ten days after the day of the election to which it pertains.
Signs that need no permit	Address signs and campaign signs need no sign permit or sign approval Applies: They must otherwise comply with the city's design requirements § 17.27.050 · code text The following signs are allowed without a sign permit or sign approval provided that they otherwise comply with the city's design guidelines and this chapter.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Rohnert Park?

Rohnert Park's code: Permits issued when complete and safe; only 1 inspection, scheduled within 3 business days of a request. (Small residential rooftop solar eligible for expedited review, with no specific, adverse impact on public health or safety.) (§ 15.32.060); Permits are issued when the application is complete and the charger has no specific, adverse health or safety impact. (Applies to EV charging stations.) (§ 15.34.060).

What are the rules for building in a Rohnert Park flood zone?

Rohnert Park's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes. (In any special flood hazard area.) (§ 15.48.150); The lowest floor must be 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 15.48.170).

What are the noise rules and construction hours in Rohnert Park?

Rohnert Park's code: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Every day; outside construction near or in a residential zone (within 500 feet); a public works permit allows other hours; emergencies need no permit.) (§ 9.44.120); No use from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. on weekdays, or 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends and holidays. (Gas or electric leaf blowers and similar devices in residential or commercial districts, including parks, schools and golf courses.) (§ 9.44.115).

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Rohnert Park?

Rohnert Park's code: Lights must point down, shielded at lot lines, not directly visible from an adjoining residential district. (§ 17.12.050).

Can I run a family child care home in Rohnert Park?

California law sets this for every city, including Rohnert Park: 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)).

Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Rohnert Park?

Rohnert Park's code: A fine for each false alarm that city personnel respond to; the amount is in the fine and fee schedule (§ 9.65.080); No fine if there was no other false alarm at that location in the previous 365 days (§ 9.65.040).

What signs may I put up at my home in Rohnert Park?

Rohnert Park's code: Remove within 10 days after the day of the election (Campaign signs on privately owned property) (§ 17.27.050); Address signs and campaign signs need no sign permit or sign approval (They must otherwise comply with the city's design requirements) (§ 17.27.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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