Salinas · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Salinas
Salinas sets its own limits on fence heights, accessory structures and home businesses in residential districts, and fast-tracks rooftop solar permits. Fence height depends on the yard and, in corner side yards, on the setback.
Key points
- Front fences: Fences in residential and agricultural front yards are limited to 3 feet, measured from the top of the nearest street curb.
- Side and rear: Interior side and rear fences are limited to 8 feet; in corner side yards, 3 feet within 10 feet of the line, otherwise 8.
- Accessory structures: Accessory structures in R districts are limited to 12 feet, or 15 feet with a pitched roof.
- Home businesses: Home businesses need a permit, may use at most 25% of floor area, and generally allow no customers and only resident workers.
- Home instruction: Home instruction is limited to 2 students per hour and 6 per day, or 5 and 35 with conditional use approval.
- Rooftop solar: Complete rooftop solar applications meeting the checklist get permits within 3 business days, and inspections are scheduled within 2 business days.
Each rule below is marked Salinas code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Salinas code Fences in residential and agricultural front yards are limited to 3 feet, measured from the top of the nearest street curb. Interior side and rear fences are limited to 8 feet; in corner side yards, 3 feet within 10 feet of the line, otherwise 8.
All 6 Salinas rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Salinas code Accessory structures in R districts are limited to 12 feet, or 15 feet with a pitched roof.
All 3 Salinas rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Salinas code Home businesses need a permit, may use at most 25% of floor area, and generally allow no customers and only resident workers. Home instruction is limited to 2 students per hour and 6 per day, or 5 and 35 with conditional use approval.
All 8 Salinas rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Salinas code Complete rooftop solar applications meeting the checklist get permits within 3 business days, and inspections are scheduled within 2 business days.
All 4 Salinas rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Salinas code A development permit is required before construction or development begins in any special flood hazard area. At least 2 feet above FIRM depth number, over the highest nearby grade; at least 2 feet if none given.
All 4 Salinas rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
| How the park fee is set |
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Noise and construction hours
| Leaf blowers and equipment |
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| Quiet hours |
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Outdoor lighting
| Light at the property line |
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| Shielding |
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Garage and yard sales
| Permit |
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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 |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Salinas code Affordable for 30 years. Longer than 30 years.
All 7 Salinas rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Salinas code An audible alarm sounding over 30 minutes is a nuisance; police may disconnect it at the user's cost Fees are established by resolution
All 3 Salinas rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Salinas code At most 32 square feet Remove within 10 days after the election
All 11 Salinas rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Salinas code Organic waste goes in the separate receptacle from the exclusive franchisee, not in the garbage receptacle Carts and bins must not stay at the curb after the day of collection
All 4 Salinas rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Salinas code A certificate of approval is required before altering or demolishing a historic resource The community development director may approve or conditionally approve; otherwise it goes to the board
Other Salinas rules on this
Salinas's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- No livestock in the city (§ 7-21)
- Parking and storing RVs and boats (§ 37-50.190)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Salinas?
Salinas's code: Set by city council resolution. (Anyone who builds pays a park fee, along with street tree and sewer trunk line fees.) (§ 9-41).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Salinas?
Salinas's code: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Home devices that create a noise disturbance across a home or business property line.) (§ 5-12.03); Power saws, sanders, drills, grinders, lawn or garden tools may not be used from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Home power tools that create a noise disturbance across a home or business property line.) (§ 5-12.03).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Salinas?
Salinas's code: Lights need cutoff optics, no light above the fixture; lamps must not be visible from neighbors or public rights-of-way. (§ 37-50.480); one-half footcandle maximum (At an R or NU district property line) (§ 37-50.480).
What are the garage sale rules in Salinas?
Salinas's code: Yes, a permit is required for a garage, patio or backyard sale. (§ 15A-1).
Can I run a family child care home in Salinas?
California law sets this for every city, including Salinas: 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)).
General information, not legal advice.
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