Soledad · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Soledad

Soledad sets its own rules for fences next to alleys and drainage channels and for sight distance at intersections, and has a separate section on home occupations.

Ask about building on your lot in Soledad See coverage

Key points

Fence height: On residential lots next to public alleys or drainage channels, fences or walls up to 8 feet need site plan approval (city rule).
Home businesses: The city has a separate code section on home occupations.

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

Fences and walls

Soledad code On residential lots next to public alleys or drainage channels, fences or walls up to 8 feet need site plan approval (city rule).

All 3 Soledad rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

RV and boat parking

Soledad code No unenclosed RV, boat or trailer parking or storage over 3 consecutive days or 6 days per calendar year. 1 boat, boat and trailer, or utility trailer may be stored on the driveway with a Certificate of Zoning Compliance.

All 5 Soledad rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Soledad code What Soledad's code adds
EV charger permit	The building official approves and issues all permits when the application meets the city checklist; an inspection follows installation. Applies: EV charging stations. § 15.40.050 · code text An inspection of the station(s) shall be required and performed by the building department.

Swimming pools

Soledad code Designed to resist climbing. At least 6 feet high.

All 7 Soledad rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Soledad code What Soledad's code adds
Bees	No, except where this code title specifically allows it. § 6.20.050 · code text It is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain within the city, or permit to be kept or maintained upon land within the city owned by or under the control of the person, a hive of bees, except as specifically permitted under provisions of this title.
Pet limit	Up to 4 dogs and 4 cats per household. Applies: Animals under 4 months old are not counted. § 6.20.100 · code text A household may possess both dogs and cats, but no more than four of each. For purposes of this section, animals under the age of four months shall not be counted.

Building in a flood zone

Soledad code What Soledad's code adds
Floodplain permit	A floodplain development permit is required before any development in a flood hazard area. § 15.30.040 · code text Any person, owner or authorized agent who intends to conduct any development in a flood hazard area shall first make application to the floodplain administrator and shall obtain the required permit for floodplain development.
Building in a floodway	A licensed civil engineer's floodway analysis must show no increase in base flood elevations. Applies: Development in a floodway. Work that would raise them needs the analysis sent to FEMA and a FEMA conditional letter of map revision. § 15.30.050 · code text For development activities proposed to be located in a floodway, a floodway encroachment analysis that demonstrates that the encroachment of the proposed development will not cause any increase in base flood elevations

Garage and yard sales

Soledad code 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. No more than 3 days in a row, or 2 weekends in a row of 2 days each.

All 5 Soledad rules on garage and yard sales, 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)

Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)

Soledad code Affordable rental units stay affordable in perpetuity. Residential developments of 4 units or less are exempt.

All 8 Soledad rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →

Signs on homes

Soledad code 8 square feet or less. Up to 7 days following the election.

All 5 Soledad rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

Soledad code What Soledad's code adds
When carts must come back	Within 24 hours after pick-up. § 13.04.050 · code text Such placement shall not be made prior to twenty-four hours before pick-up time, and shall be removed from the curb within twenty-four hours after pick-up to an appropriate location away from any public street.
When carts may go to the curb	Not earlier than twenty-four hours before pick-up time § 13.04.050 · code text Such placement shall not be made prior to twenty-four hours before pick-up time, and shall be removed from the curb within twenty-four hours after pick-up to an appropriate location away from any public street.
Where carts are kept	Keep containers in an appropriate location away from any public street. § 13.04.050 · code text Such placement shall not be made prior to twenty-four hours before pick-up time, and shall be removed from the curb within twenty-four hours after pick-up to an appropriate location away from any public street.

Historic homes

Soledad code 50 years of age or older. Review and approval by the historic resources commission is required.

All 7 Soledad rules on historic homes, with the code text →

Other Soledad rules on this

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

Home occupations (§ 17.38.140)
Noise rules (Ch. 9.09)
Public facilities impact fees (Ch. 14.06)
Regional transportation impact fee (§ 3.56.030)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Soledad?

The city has a separate code section on home occupations. Soledad also has a related rule: Home occupations (§ 17.38.140).

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Soledad?

Soledad's code: The building official approves and issues all permits when the application meets the city checklist; an inspection follows installation. (EV charging stations.) (§ 15.40.050).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Soledad?

Soledad's code: No, except where this code title specifically allows it. (§ 6.20.050).

What are the rules for building in a Soledad flood zone?

Soledad's code: A floodplain development permit is required before any development in a flood hazard area. (§ 15.30.040); A licensed civil engineer's floodway analysis must show no increase in base flood elevations. (Development in a floodway. Work that would raise them needs the analysis sent to FEMA and a FEMA conditional letter of map revision.) (§ 15.30.050).

Can I run a family child care home in Soledad?

California law sets this for every city, including Soledad: 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)).

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Soledad?

Soledad's code: Within 24 hours after pick-up. (§ 13.04.050); Not earlier than twenty-four hours before pick-up time (§ 13.04.050).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Soledad property

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

Ask your question

More on Soledad

Soledad Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Soledad

Buying & selling in Soledad

Foreclosure & auctions in Soledad

Soledad overview

Zoning districts in Soledad