Sausalito · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Sausalito
Sausalito sets its own rules for accessory buildings and home businesses. The city lists businesses that may not run from a home, such as auto repair, barber shops and schools with organized classes.
Key points
- Accessory buildings: Accessory buildings are limited to 1 story or 15 feet, and may cover at most 25% of the required rear yard (city rule).
- Home businesses: A home business may use 25% of the home, at most 400 square feet, with 1 non-resident employee; it needs a zoning permit.
Each rule below is marked Sausalito 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
Sausalito code Accessory buildings are limited to 1 story or 15 feet, and may cover at most 25% of the required rear yard (city rule).
All 3 Sausalito rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Sausalito code A home business may use 25% of the home, at most 400 square feet, with 1 non-resident employee; it needs a zoning permit.
All 5 Sausalito rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Sausalito code Each new parcel must be at least 40% of the original parcel's lot area. No more than 1,200 square feet of floor area.
All 10 Sausalito rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Sausalito code Expedited administrative approval through a building permit or similar nondiscretionary permit. The same day.
All 3 Sausalito rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Sausalito code Routine pruning needs no permit. Yes. A permit is required.
Pets, chickens and bees
| Permit |
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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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Noise and construction hours
| Construction hours on weekdays |
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|---|---|
| Construction hours on weekends and holidays |
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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 |
Historic homes
Sausalito code A certificate of appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission. A certificate of appropriateness is required.
All 8 Sausalito rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Sausalito rules on this
Sausalito's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Storing boats, trailers and RVs at a home (§ 10.44.040) — residential sites only
- Garage and yard sale day limits (§ 10.44.040)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules for building in a Sausalito flood zone?
Sausalito's code: A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. (Special flood hazard areas mapped under the city's flood rules.) (§ 8.48.041); Lowest floor, including the basement, at or above the base flood elevation. (New construction and substantial improvement of any structure.) (§ 8.48.051).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Sausalito?
Sausalito's code: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Weekdays; construction, demolition, digging or repair equipment in residential zones.) (§ 12.16.140); 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Saturdays; construction equipment in residential zones.) (§ 12.16.140).
Can I run a family child care home in Sausalito?
California law sets this for every city, including Sausalito: 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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