Sand City · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Sand City
Sand City sets its own rules for accessory buildings and home businesses. Clinics, barbershops, and business and professional offices may not run from a home.
Key points
- Accessory buildings: An accessory building closer than 5 feet to any property line is limited to 10 feet (city rule).
- Home businesses: A home business needs a permit, may use at most 1/4 of the home's floor area, and must be run only by residents.
Each rule below is marked Sand City code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Sand City code An accessory building closer than 5 feet to any property line is limited to 10 feet (city rule).
All 3 Sand City rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Sand City code A home business needs a permit, may use at most 1/4 of the home's floor area, and must be run only by residents.
All 4 Sand City rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Sand City code Neither new parcel may be smaller than 40% of the lot area of the parcel being split. Both new parcels must be at least 1,200 square feet.
All 9 Sand City rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Sand City code Permit applications may be submitted electronically; electronic signatures are accepted. The permit is issued the same day.
All 3 Sand City rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
| Exemptions |
|
|---|---|
| Permit to remove |
|
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|
Park and impact fees for new homes
Sand City code Condo or co-op conversions of apartment buildings over 5 years old that add no new units are exempt. The fee is based on current land value and development costs where parks are planned.
All 4 Sand City rules on park and impact fees for new homes, 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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
|
|---|---|
| False alarms before a fee |
|
Signs on homes
| Election and other noncommercial signs |
|
|---|---|
| Signs that need no permit |
|
Trash and recycling carts
Sand City code Subscribe to and participate in the City's three container collection services, at a minimum for weekly collection Place organic materials in the organic materials container
All 6 Sand City rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Sand City rules on this
Sand City's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Garage, yard and estate sales (Ch. 5.10)
- Loud noises (Ch. 8.04)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Sand City?
Sand City's code: Yes. A permit is needed to remove, poison, kill or trim more than 1/3 of a significant tree's green foliage. (Except for the cases listed in the code.) (§ 16.12.030); Emergency action needed right away for the safety of life or property because a tree is hazardous. (Applies to an emergency caused by the tree's hazardous or dangerous condition.) (§ 16.12.100).
What are the rules for building in a Sand City flood zone?
Sand City's code: You need a development permit before any construction or development starts. (Special flood hazard areas.) (§ 18.88.050).
Can I run a family child care home in Sand City?
California law sets this for every city, including Sand City: 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 Sand City?
Sand City's code: Service charge set by City Council resolution and included in the annual schedule of fees and charges (For each subsequent false alarm within the 1 year period) (§ 8.22.100); 1 false alarm within a 1 year period (§ 8.22.100).
What signs may I put up at my home in Sand City?
Sand City's code: No larger than 32 square feet (Temporary political signs) (§ 18.66.110); Not sooner than 90 days before the scheduled election (Temporary political signs; placement) (§ 18.66.110).
General information, not legal advice.
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