Santa Clara County · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. Limits differ between urban residential districts and rural districts, and between small and large lots.

Ask about building on your lot in Santa Clara County See coverage

Key points

Fence height: Urban residential fences are limited to 3 feet within 20 feet of the front lot line and 8 feet elsewhere on the lot.
Accessory height: In urban residential districts, detached accessory buildings are limited to 12 feet and 1 story, or 16 feet with a hip or gable roof.
Home businesses: A general home business is done in the home by residents, with at most 1 nonresident employee (county rule).

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

Santa Clara County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Santa Clara County have their own codes and their own pages.

Fences and walls

Santa Clara County code Urban residential fences are limited to 3 feet within 20 feet of the front lot line and 8 feet elsewhere on the lot.

All 6 Santa Clara County rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Santa Clara County code In urban residential districts, detached accessory buildings are limited to 12 feet and 1 story, or 16 feet with a hip or gable roof.

All 11 Santa Clara County rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

Santa Clara County code A general home business is done in the home by residents, with at most 1 nonresident employee (county rule).

All 6 Santa Clara County rules on running a business from home, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Santa Clara County code What Santa Clara County's code adds
EV charger permit	A permit is issued once the charger meets the county checklist and safety rules; no power until final inspection approval. Applies: Applies to EV charging stations. § C3-53 · code text Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the proposed Electric Vehicle Charging Station meets the requirements of the County's adopted checklist, is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, and could not have a Specific, Adverse Impact on public health or safety, the Building Official shall approve the application and issue all necessary permits.
Solar permit process	Electronic filing allowed; permit and inspection fees apply; complete applications get administrative, nondiscretionary review and approval. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar systems. § C3-47 · code text The applicant may submit the application and related documentation for a small residential rooftop solar energy system by electronic submittal, with all required permit processing and inspection fees, as adopted by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

Tree removal

Santa Clara County code Yes; an administrative permit from the County Planning Office is needed before removing a protected tree. Yes; an encroachment permit from the Department of Roads and Airports, at least 60 days before removal.

All 11 Santa Clara County rules on tree removal, with the code text →

Swimming pools

Santa Clara County code No opening, hole or gap may be more than 4 inches wide or high. A house or accessory building may form part of the enclosure.

All 7 Santa Clara County rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Santa Clara County code Written notice to the County Agricultural Commissioner within 5 days of the move's start. At most 2 dogs over 4 months old.

All 4 Santa Clara County rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Santa Clara County code What Santa Clara County's code adds
Floodplain permit	A county development permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. § C12-814 · code text A development permit shall be obtained from the Department before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section C12-806.
Building in a floodway	No new development, including fill, unless all development combined raises the base flood level no more than 1 foot anywhere. Applies: Zones A1-30 and AE, until a regulatory floodway is adopted. § C12-821 · 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 Santa Clara County. Fill, new building, substantial improvements and other encroachments are banned unless a registered civil engineer certifies no flood-level rise. Applies: Inside an adopted regulatory floodway. § C12-821 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the County 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	Lowest floor 2 feet above the base flood elevation. Applies: New homes and substantial improvements in AE, AH and A1-30 zones. § C12-816 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 Zones, elevated two feet above the base flood elevation. Lowest floor 2 feet higher than the FIRM depth number, measured above the highest adjacent grade. Applies: New homes and substantial improvements in an AO zone where the FIRM gives a depth number. § C12-816 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height two feet above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least four feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. Lowest floor at least 4 feet above the highest adjacent grade. Applies: New homes and substantial improvements in an AO zone where the FIRM gives no depth number. § C12-816 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height two feet above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least four feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. Lowest floor 2 feet above the base flood elevation. Applies: New homes and substantial improvements in an unnumbered A zone (no base flood elevation on the FIRM). § C12-816 · code text In an A zone, without BFE's specified on the FIRM [unnumbered A zone], elevated two feet above the base flood elevation; as determined under Section C12-813(3).

Grading and erosion control

Santa Clara County code More than 150 cubic yards of cut, or more than 150 cubic yards of fill. Up to 300 cubic yards, with no cut or fill slopes over 5 feet deep at the deepest point.

All 3 Santa Clara County rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →

Noise and construction hours

Santa Clara County code 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; no construction at any time on Sundays or holidays.

All 10 Santa Clara County rules on noise and construction hours, 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)

Group homes and residential care

Santa Clara County code Rural residential (RR) districts: minimum lot size 5 acres, floor area at most 10,000 square feet, at most 36 residents. A, AR and HS districts: minimum lot 10 acres, floor area at most 10,000 square feet, at most 36 residents.

All 4 Santa Clara County rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →

Parking spaces required for homes

Santa Clara County code What Santa Clara County's code adds
Spaces per apartment or condo	1 space per unit. Applies: Multifamily residence. § 4.30.030 · code text Multifamily 1, 2, 3, 4 \| 1 per unit
Spaces for a single-family home	2 spaces per unit, 1 of which must be covered. Applies: Single-family residence. § 4.30.030 · code text Single-Family 1, 3 \| 2 per unit (1 shall be covered)

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Santa Clara County code What Santa Clara County's code adds
False alarm fees	A service charge set by Board of Supervisors resolution applies to every false alarm the Sheriff's office responds to. § B21-14 · code text There is hereby imposed a service charge upon every owner who reports, causes to be or permits to be reported a false alarm which is responded to by the Sheriff's office. Said service charge shall be set by the Board of Supervisors by resolution,
Alarm permit	Prior registration with the County is required. Applies: Alarm systems that automatically dial or send a police emergency signal to the County Communications Center. § B21-3 · code text No person shall use or operate, attempt to use or operate, or cause to be used or operated, or arrange, adjust, program or otherwise provide or install any device or combination of police alarm systems that will upon activation, through an automatic dialing device or hard line alarm system, initiate and deliver a police emergency signal to the County Communications Center without prior registration of the alarm system with the County.

Signs on homes

Santa Clara County code What Santa Clara County's code adds
Election and other noncommercial signs	Political signs up to 16 square feet (32 square feet on a vacant lot). Applies: R1, R1E, RHS, R1S or R2 zoning districts. § 4.40.100 · code text No political sign shall exceed 16 square feet in surface area in any R1, R1E, RHS, R1S or R2 zoning district unless it is located on a vacant lot, in which case it shall not exceed 32 square feet; Within 10 days following the final election. Applies: Political signs. § 4.40.100 · code text Each political sign shall be removed within ten days following the final election to which such sign relates.

Trash and recycling carts

Santa Clara County code must subscribe to the three-container collection service You may self-haul your own refuse to an approved solid waste facility.

All 7 Santa Clara County rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →

Historic homes

Santa Clara County code 50 years or older to be a landmark; newer ones need time for scholarly perspective or a distinctive style. Board approval is required before demolition or removal.

All 6 Santa Clara County rules on historic homes, with the code text →

Other Santa Clara County rules on this

Santa Clara County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ C12-44)
Approval to build on steep slopes (Art. 5)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Santa Clara County?

Santa Clara County's code: Electronic filing allowed; permit and inspection fees apply; complete applications get administrative, nondiscretionary review and approval. (Applies to small home rooftop solar systems.) (§ C3-47); A permit is issued once the charger meets the county checklist and safety rules; no power until final inspection approval. (Applies to EV charging stations.) (§ C3-53).

What are the rules for building in a Santa Clara County flood zone?

Santa Clara County's code: A county development permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (§ C12-814); Lowest floor 2 feet above the base flood elevation. (New homes and substantial improvements in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ C12-816).

Can I run a family child care home in Santa Clara County?

California law sets this for every city, including Santa Clara County: 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)).

How many parking spaces does a home need in Santa Clara County?

Santa Clara County's code: 1 space per unit. (Multifamily residence.) (§ 4.30.030); 2 spaces per unit, 1 of which must be covered. (Single-family residence.) (§ 4.30.030).

Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Santa Clara County?

Santa Clara County's code: A service charge set by Board of Supervisors resolution applies to every false alarm the Sheriff's office responds to. (§ B21-14); Prior registration with the County is required. (Alarm systems that automatically dial or send a police emergency signal to the County Communications Center.) (§ B21-3).

What signs may I put up at my home in Santa Clara County?

Santa Clara County's code: Political signs up to 16 square feet (32 square feet on a vacant lot). (R1, R1E, RHS, R1S or R2 zoning districts.) (§ 4.40.100); Within 10 days following the final election. (Political signs.) (§ 4.40.100).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Santa Clara County property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Santa Clara County

Buying & selling in Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County overview

Zoning districts in Santa Clara County

What you can build where in Santa Clara County