South Lake Tahoe · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe sets its own rules for small sheds and home businesses. The city lists offices and schools that may not run from a home in residential plan areas.
Key points
- Home businesses: A home business may use at most 20% of the home or 350 sq ft, with no customers; it needs a license and permit.
- Small sheds: South Lake Tahoe sets a 3-foot rule for sheds under 115 square feet and not over 1 story (city rule).
Each rule below is marked South Lake Tahoe 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
| Side and rear setback |
|
|---|
Running a business from home
South Lake Tahoe code A home business may use at most 20% of the home or 350 sq ft, with no customers; it needs a license and permit.
All 7 South Lake Tahoe rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
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| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Grading and erosion control
| Grading without a permit |
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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 |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
South Lake Tahoe code Single-family or condominium projects with 2,000 square feet or less of habitable area per unit are exempt. Multifamily projects of 2 or more dwelling units used for long-term rentals are exempt.
Home alarm permits and false alarms
South Lake Tahoe code The fee is $50.00. The fee is $100.00.
All 8 South Lake Tahoe rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
South Lake Tahoe code Contract for collection service for each residential unit, with three carts: solid waste, source-separated recyclables, and yard trimmings. Put yard trimmings in the yard trimmings container. Do not put materials meant for it in solid waste containers.
All 3 South Lake Tahoe rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other South Lake Tahoe rules on this
South Lake Tahoe's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Fencing for livestock and fowl kept at home (§ 4.05.650)
- Use permit to keep a horse (§ 6.55.340)
- Living in a park model RV tiny home (§ 6.85.060)
- Permit to cut down a tree (§ 6.50.020)
- Offensive noise (§ 4.70.150)
- Exterior lighting (§ 6.10.160)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in South Lake Tahoe?
South Lake Tahoe sets a 3-foot rule for sheds under 115 square feet and not over 1 story (city rule).
What are the rules for building in a South Lake Tahoe flood zone?
South Lake Tahoe's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. (§ 6.65.130); The lowest floor must be at least the flood map's depth number, in feet, above the highest adjacent grade. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone where the flood map (FIRM) shows a depth number.) (§ 6.65.170).
What are the grading rules in South Lake Tahoe?
South Lake Tahoe's code: Pool digs (not fill) with a valid building permit; emergency work to protect life or property. (Emergency work needs a permit application within 10 calendar days if not finished and restored. Must not conflict with adopted general or specific plans.) (§ 7.20.070).
Can I run a family child care home in South Lake Tahoe?
California law sets this for every city, including South Lake Tahoe: 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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