Scotts Valley · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Scotts Valley
Scotts Valley sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Accessory structure height and size depend on the zoning district and the lot size.
Key points
- Fence height: Residential fences: at most 3 feet in the front yard and 8 feet in side or rear yards; taller front fences need a permit.
- Accessory height: In R-1, R-R and R-MT districts, accessory structures are limited to 18, 25 or 35 feet by lot size, never above the home.
- Home businesses: Only residents may work in a home business; no deliveries or customer visits from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.; a license is required.
Each rule below is marked Scotts Valley code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Scotts Valley code Residential fences: at most 3 feet in the front yard and 8 feet in side or rear yards; taller front fences need a permit.
All 5 Scotts Valley rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Scotts Valley code In R-1, R-R and R-MT districts, accessory structures are limited to 18, 25 or 35 feet by lot size, never above the home.
All 12 Scotts Valley rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Scotts Valley code Only residents may work in a home business; no deliveries or customer visits from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.; a license is required.
All 5 Scotts Valley rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Scotts Valley code Each new lot must be at least 40% of the original lot area. At most 1,250 square feet per unit.
All 19 Scotts Valley rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|
Tree removal
Scotts Valley code No permit needed if a city official, police officer or fire district employee orders removal of a hazardous tree. Yes, a permit is required.
All 10 Scotts Valley rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Swimming pools
Scotts Valley code The fence, wall or structure must fully enclose the pool or in-ground spa and meet the California Building Code. At least 5 feet high.
All 4 Scotts Valley rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Scotts Valley code 1 bee colony or hive box. Up to 2 bee colonies or hive boxes.
All 5 Scotts Valley 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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Grading and erosion control
| Erosion control plan |
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|---|---|
| Grading without a permit |
|
Building on a hillside
Scotts Valley code An engineering geology report must find the site suitable. An engineering geology report must find the site suitable for all proposed construction.
All 7 Scotts Valley rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
Scotts Valley code Fair market value of the land that would be dedicated, based on unimproved assessed value or an independent appraisal. 5 acres per 1,000 residents.
All 3 Scotts Valley 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 |
Group homes and residential care
| Homes for 7 or more |
|
|---|
Signs on homes
Scotts Valley code four and one-half square feet At most 5 feet high.
All 12 Scotts Valley rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Other Scotts Valley rules on this
Scotts Valley's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Garage and yard sale limits (Ch. 5.20)
- Permit for amplified sound (§ 5.17.090) — not needed when the sound stays on the property
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Scotts Valley?
Scotts Valley's code: Electronic submittal and signatures accepted; the building official approves and issues all permits when the application meets the city checklist. (Permit applications covered by this chapter.) (§ 15.22.040).
What are the rules for building in a Scotts Valley flood zone?
Scotts Valley's code: A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.16.120); Lowest floor, including the basement, at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes, in all flood zones.) (§ 15.16.150).
What are the grading rules in Scotts Valley?
Scotts Valley's code: Excavation that does not exceed fifty cubic yards, is less than two feet deep, and does not create a cut slope that is both greater than five feet and steeper than three to one; fill of permitted materials only, less than one foot deep on natural terrain flatter than five to one, not over fifty cubic yards on any one site (including stockpiles), over no more than eleven thousand square feet, that does not alter or obstruct a drainage course and is not for structural support or roadways; excavation for basements and footings under a valid building permit (not the fill made from it, and not over five feet unsupported height when done); clearing of eleven thousand square feet or less on slopes of five percent or less (The fill exemption does not apply in a riparian zone) (§ 15.06.050); Erosion and sediment control plans due to the building official by September 1; approved measures installed by October 15 yearly. (Land disturbance work in the rainy season.) (§ 15.06.130).
Can I run a family child care home in Scotts Valley?
California law sets this for every city, including Scotts Valley: 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)).
Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in Scotts Valley?
Scotts Valley's code: A conditional use permit is required. (Applies to large community care homes; the application also needs licensing approval, a site plan, a fire department letter and an application letter.) (§ 17.12.035).
General information, not legal advice.
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