Santa Maria · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Santa Maria
Santa Maria sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence and wall limits differ in Neotraditional Neighborhoods, and vehicle or vessel repair for pay is not allowed on residential property.
Key points
- Fence height: Fences are limited to 3 feet in required front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards, unless the Zoning Administrator authorizes otherwise.
- Accessory height: A single-story accessory structure behind the main building: at most 9 feet at the property line, 14 feet at 5 feet from it.
- Home businesses: No customers or employees may come to a home business, except music lessons and 1-person testing; a city business license is required.
Each rule below is marked Santa Maria code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Santa Maria code Fences are limited to 3 feet in required front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards, unless the Zoning Administrator authorizes otherwise.
All 8 Santa Maria rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Santa Maria code A single-story accessory structure behind the main building: at most 9 feet at the property line, 14 feet at 5 feet from it.
All 6 Santa Maria rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Santa Maria code No customers or employees may come to a home business, except music lessons and 1-person testing; a city business license is required.
All 6 Santa Maria rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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|---|---|
| Review time |
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Pets, chickens and bees
Santa Maria code Yes, no more than 4 hives. Up to 4 hives, plus 1 more for each 5,000 square feet of lot area over 10,000 square feet.
All 4 Santa Maria rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
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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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
| Garage and covered spaces |
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|---|
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Santa Maria code A service charge set by resolution, charged from the second false fire alarm at the same address in 12 months. The first false fire alarm in a 12-month period at the same address is not charged.
All 3 Santa Maria rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Santa Maria code Occupied premises or premises with a water service account must have refuse and recycling service. Occupied premises, or premises with a water account, must have refuse and recycling service from the franchisee or permittee.
All 3 Santa Maria rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
| When a building counts as historic |
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Other Santa Maria rules on this
Santa Maria's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Noise limits and construction noise permits (Ch. 5-5)
- Growth mitigation fees (Ch. 8-15)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Santa Maria?
Santa Maria's code: A nondiscretionary building permit is issued within 3 business days. (Complete small home rooftop solar applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan.) (§ 9-52.060); The Building Official issues all needed permits when the application meets the City checklist. Electronic applications and signatures are accepted. (§ 9-56.040).
What are the rules for building in a Santa Maria flood zone?
Santa Maria's code: A development permit is needed before construction or development begins. (Special flood hazard areas or mudslide (mudflow) areas.) (§ 9-68.201); Lowest floor, including the basement, at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in special flood hazard areas.) (§ 9-68.301).
Can I run a family child care home in Santa Maria?
California law sets this for every city, including Santa Maria: 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 Maria?
Santa Maria's code: Interior at least 9.5 feet by 20 feet, clear of appliances and other structures. (Each required covered space in a garage or carport.) (§ 12-32.10); Interior at least 11 feet by 20 feet, clear of appliances and other structures. (Single-car garages and carports with side walls between spaces.) (§ 12-32.10).
What rules apply to a historic home in Santa Maria?
Santa Maria's code: At least 50 years old. (A place, building or object must be at least 50 years old to be designated a landmark.) (§ 8-3.05).
General information, not legal advice.
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