South San Francisco · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in South San Francisco

South San Francisco sets its own limits on fences, accessory buildings and home businesses. Fence height depends on the setback and the fence type, and taller fences need a permit.

Ask about building on your lot in South San Francisco See coverage

Key points

Fence height: South San Francisco limits fences to 4 feet in front and street-facing side setbacks and 6 feet in interior side and rear setbacks.
Accessory buildings: South San Francisco limits all accessory buildings together to 20% of the main building's footprint or 220 square feet, whichever is greater.
Home businesses: South San Francisco limits home businesses to 450 square feet and residents only; only instruction may bring students, at most 2 at a time.

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

Fences and walls

South San Francisco code South San Francisco limits fences to 4 feet in front and street-facing side setbacks and 6 feet in interior side and rear setbacks.

All 8 South San Francisco rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

South San Francisco code South San Francisco limits all accessory buildings together to 20% of the main building's footprint or 220 square feet, whichever is greater.

All 4 South San Francisco rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

South San Francisco code South San Francisco limits home businesses to 450 square feet and residents only; only instruction may bring students, at most 2 at a time.

All 4 South San Francisco rules on running a business from home, with the code text →

RV and boat parking

South San Francisco code In a licensed trailer park or licensed public storage facility. Fully enclosed in a lawfully existing structure.

All 9 South San Francisco rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

South San Francisco code Expedited, nondiscretionary administrative permit when the application meets the approved checklist. Expedited process; apply in person, by mail or electronically; electronic signatures are accepted.

All 4 South San Francisco rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →

Tree removal

South San Francisco code What South San Francisco's code adds
Exemptions	Trimming is allowed without a permit. Applies: Applies to trimming a protected tree. § 13.30.030 · code text Trimming of a protected tree is allowed without such a permit.
Permit to remove	Yes, to remove, prune or materially alter a protected tree. Applies: Applies to protected trees; trimming is allowed without a permit. § 13.30.030 · code text No protected tree shall be removed, pruned, or otherwise materially altered without a permit except as provided in this section. Trimming of a protected tree is allowed without such a permit.
Replacement trees	The trees must be replaced, or the city reimbursed. Applies: Applies to protected trees damaged or destroyed by construction. § 13.30.030 · code text Protected trees that have been damaged or destroyed by construction shall be replaced or the city shall be reimbursed, as provided in Section 13.30.080.

Swimming pools

South San Francisco code The pool, or the whole property, must be walled or fenced from the street and neighbors. A masonry wall or solid fence.

All 6 South San Francisco rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

South San Francisco code Enclosed at night when not in use; not tied within 100 feet of a home without the occupant's written consent. Stables at least 50 feet from a neighboring property line.

All 5 South San Francisco rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

South San Francisco code What South San Francisco's code adds
Floodplain permit	A development permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. § 15.56.140 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.56.060.
Building in a floodway	No encroachments, including fill, new construction and substantial improvements, unless a registered civil engineer certifies no flood level rise. Applies: Applies within an adopted regulatory floodway, for flood levels during the base flood discharge. § 15.56.210 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the city shall prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development, unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating that the proposed encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge. No new construction or development, including fill, unless all development combined raises base flood levels no more than 1 foot. Applies: Applies in zones A1-30 and AE until a regulatory floodway is adopted. The limit applies at any point in the city. § 15.56.210 · code text Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within zones A1-30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the city.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor, including basement, must be at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones. § 15.56.160 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation; The lowest floor must be at least the flood map's depth number, in feet, above the highest adjacent grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone where the flood map (FIRM) shows a depth number. Includes basements. § 15.56.160 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the highest adjacent grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone where the flood map (FIRM) shows no depth number. Includes basements. § 15.56.160 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor, including basement, must be at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone, where the flood map (FIRM) shows no base flood elevation. § 15.56.160 · code text In an A zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM (unnumbered A zone), elevated to or above the base flood elevation; as determined under Section 15.56.130(c) of this chapter.

Noise and construction hours

South San Francisco code No more than 50 dB for more than 30 minutes in any hour. No more than 60 dB for more than 30 minutes in any hour.

All 4 South San Francisco rules on noise and construction hours, 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)

South San Francisco code Affordability lasts 55 years. Affordability lasts 55 years.

All 7 South San Francisco rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →

Parking spaces required for homes

South San Francisco code Off-street parking spaces in a driveway within the front yard setback may count toward the dwelling unit's parking requirement. The minimum size is 8 feet wide by 18 feet deep.

All 10 South San Francisco rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Home alarm permits and false alarms

South San Francisco code What South San Francisco's code adds
Alarm permit	An alarm permit is required and must be renewed annually. § 6.60.035 · code text An alarm permit must be renewed annually. A prorated permit fee applies. Applies: An alarm permit obtained after the first quarter of the calendar year. § 6.60.035 · code text Any alarm permit obtained after the first quarter of the calendar year will be charged a prorated permit fee.
When a permit can be revoked	The permit can be revoked after 10 or more false alarms. Applies: In a 12-month period. § 6.60.110 · code text The alarm user has ten or more false alarms in a twelve-month period; The permit can be revoked after another 3 false alarms. Applies: Within 21 days after the reinstatement date. § 6.60.110 · code text another three false alarms have occurred within the past twenty-one days after the reinstatement date.

Signs on homes

South San Francisco code Remove temporary signs within 45 days after they are placed. A temporary sign is allowed no more than twice per year.

All 8 South San Francisco rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

South San Francisco code What South San Francisco's code adds
When carts must come back	Remove receptacles within twelve hours following the date and time for scheduled collection Applies: single unit residential properties § 8.28.070 · code text Receptacles containing recyclable materials for single unit residential properties shall be placed at the designated collection location for collection by the authorized recycling agent, but shall not be placed at such location earlier than twelve hours prior to the date and time for scheduled collection, nor left remaining at such location longer than twelve hours following the date and time for scheduled collection.
When carts may go to the curb	Not earlier than twelve hours prior to the date and time for scheduled collection Applies: single unit residential properties § 8.28.070 · code text Receptacles containing recyclable materials for single unit residential properties shall be placed at the designated collection location for collection by the authorized recycling agent, but shall not be placed at such location earlier than twelve hours prior to the date and time for scheduled collection, nor left remaining at such location longer than twelve hours following the date and time for scheduled collection.

Other South San Francisco rules on this

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

Outdoor lighting and glare (§ 20.300.009) — new development and large additions only
Park fees (§ 8.67.050)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in South San Francisco?

South San Francisco's code: Yes, to remove, prune or materially alter a protected tree. (Applies to protected trees; trimming is allowed without a permit.) (§ 13.30.030); The trees must be replaced, or the city reimbursed. (Applies to protected trees damaged or destroyed by construction.) (§ 13.30.030).

What are the rules for building in a South San Francisco flood zone?

South San Francisco's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.56.140); The lowest floor, including basement, must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 15.56.160).

Can I run a family child care home in South San Francisco?

California law sets this for every city, including South San Francisco: 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)).

Do I need a permit for a home alarm in South San Francisco?

South San Francisco's code: An alarm permit is required and must be renewed annually. (§ 6.60.035); A prorated permit fee applies. (An alarm permit obtained after the first quarter of the calendar year.) (§ 6.60.035).

When can trash carts go out to the curb in South San Francisco?

South San Francisco's code: Remove receptacles within twelve hours following the date and time for scheduled collection (single unit residential properties) (§ 8.28.070); Not earlier than twelve hours prior to the date and time for scheduled collection (single unit residential properties) (§ 8.28.070).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific South San Francisco property

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

Ask your question

More on South San Francisco

South San Francisco Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in South San Francisco

Buying & selling in South San Francisco

Foreclosure & auctions in South San Francisco

South San Francisco overview

Zoning districts in South San Francisco

What you can build where in South San Francisco