San Rafael · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in San Rafael
San Rafael sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses in residential districts. Taller fences need administrative design review and an exception, and a home business may not use a garage or accessory structure.
Key points
- Fence height: In residential districts, fences are limited to 4 feet in front or street side setbacks and 7 feet in rear or interior side yards.
- Accessory structures: Residential accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, except through design review, and 30% of the required side or rear yard areas.
- Home businesses: A home business may use at most 25% of the home, 1 client at a time; non-residents may work only in cottage food operations.
Each rule below is marked San Rafael code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
San Rafael code In residential districts, fences are limited to 4 feet in front or street side setbacks and 7 feet in rear or interior side yards.
All 8 San Rafael rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
San Rafael code Residential accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, except through design review, and 30% of the required side or rear yard areas.
All 6 San Rafael rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
San Rafael code A home business may use at most 25% of the home, 1 client at a time; non-residents may work only in cottage food operations.
All 6 San Rafael rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
San Rafael code One of the 2 new lots must be at least 40% of the original lot's area. Each of the 2 new lots must be at least 1,200 square feet.
All 6 San Rafael rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
San Rafael code An RV or boat may be parked in the garage, carport or parking space the zone requires. In the front yard setback, an RV or boat may park only on the driveway to required parking.
All 8 San Rafael rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
San Rafael code The city approves an EV charger administratively through a building permit or similar nondiscretionary permit. Zoning review and clearance are required before the building permit is issued.
All 6 San Rafael rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
San Rafael code A 3-sided solid enclosure with baffles, or an equally effective measure, is required to reduce noise. A private pool must be secured by an enclosure meeting Health and Safety Code 115923, plus state-required safety features.
All 3 San Rafael rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Chickens |
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|---|---|
| Large animals |
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Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
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| Height of the lowest floor |
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Building on a hillside
San Rafael code A geotechnical investigation is required before tentative map approval. New streets and driveways may be no steeper than 18%.
All 8 San Rafael rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
San Rafael code The fee equals the value of the land and improvements that would have been dedicated. The park standard is 3 acres for each 1,000 residents.
All 4 San Rafael rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
San Rafael code Construction is allowed only from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Allowed only from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
All 13 San Rafael rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| Light at the property line |
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|---|---|
| Shielding |
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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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
San Rafael code RVs, trailers and boats may park on the driveway to the garage, carport or required parking spaces RVs, trailers and boats may park between the driveway and side property line
All 17 San Rafael rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
San Rafael code 32 square feet total per site; no sign permit required Up to 90 days per calendar year
All 10 San Rafael rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Historic homes
San Rafael code Certificate of appropriateness required Approval required even when no city permit is needed (for example painting, landscaping, fencing, light fixtures)
All 6 San Rafael rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in San Rafael?
San Rafael's code: Chickens are allowed only with any required city permits and approvals. (§ 6.04.010).
What are the rules for building in a San Rafael flood zone?
San Rafael's code: You need a floodplain development permit before any construction or development starts in a special flood hazard area. (Within any special flood hazard area.) (§ 18.40.010); The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation plus predicted 30-year settlement. (New or substantially improved homes in an AE or AH zone.) (§ 18.50.010).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in San Rafael?
San Rafael's code: Fixtures must hide the light source from off-site view and avoid spill onto neighboring properties. (§ 14.16.227); Light should be below 1 foot-candle at the property line. (A general guideline for acceptable lighting levels.) (§ 14.16.227).
Can I run a family child care home in San Rafael?
California law sets this for every city, including San Rafael: 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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