Tiburon · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Tiburon
Tiburon sets its own limits on fences, accessory buildings and home businesses. Taller fences need design review, and fences may not impair safe vision for drivers or pedestrians.
Key points
- Fence height: Tiburon limits fences in any setback to 6 feet; fences or walls over three and one-half feet need site plan and architectural review approval.
- Accessory buildings: Tiburon limits detached accessory buildings in a rear setback to 12 feet and 25% of the rear setback area.
- Home businesses: Tiburon allows one nonresident person in a home business and requires a home occupation permit and a town business license.
Each rule below is marked Tiburon code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Tiburon code Tiburon limits fences in any setback to 6 feet; fences or walls over three and one-half feet need site plan and architectural review approval.
All 4 Tiburon rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Maximum height |
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|---|---|
| Size or lot coverage |
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Running a business from home
| Employees |
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|---|---|
| Permit |
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| Businesses not allowed |
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Lot splits under SB 9
Tiburon code Neither new parcel may be smaller than 40% of the original lot area. Standards that would block 2 units on either parcel, or force a unit under 800 square feet, do not apply.
All 15 Tiburon rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Parking on the street |
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|---|
Solar panels and EV chargers
Tiburon code A permit from the building official is required to install an EV charging station. Administrative, nondiscretionary review; complete applications are approved and a permit is issued.
All 4 Tiburon rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Tiburon code Allowed with a beekeeping permit from the director of community development. Allowed with a chicken keeping permit from the director of community development.
All 3 Tiburon rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Tiburon code A development permit is needed before construction or development, including structures, fill, storage, drainage or watercourse changes. No fill, new construction, substantial improvement or other new development unless certified not to raise base flood elevation.
All 4 Tiburon rules on building in a flood zone, 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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
| Spaces per apartment or condo |
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|---|---|
| Spaces for a single-family home |
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Home alarm permits and false alarms
Tiburon code Alarms must have an automatic shut-off that silences them within 15 minutes. The town council sets the amount by resolution.
All 6 Tiburon rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Tiburon code 8 square feet of sign face per dwelling unit. Number of sign faces not limited. 8 square feet per sign face. The number of sign faces is not limited.
Trash and recycling carts
Tiburon code Solid waste collection service is required at least once each week. Separate organic materials from garbage and put them, including food waste, in the organic materials container.
All 4 Tiburon rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Tiburon code At least 50 years old. Prior review and approval by the heritage and arts commission.
Other Tiburon rules on this
Tiburon's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Permit to remove or alter protected trees (Ch. 15A)
- Construction hours (§ 13-6)
- Leaf blowers and hedge trimmers (Ch. 30)
- Public facilities fees (§ 14B-4)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Tiburon?
Tiburon limits detached accessory buildings in a rear setback to 12 feet and 25% of the rear setback area.
Can I run a business from my home in Tiburon?
Tiburon allows one nonresident person in a home business and requires a home occupation permit and a town business license.
Can I run a family child care home in Tiburon?
California law sets this for every city, including Tiburon: 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)).
How many parking spaces does a home need in Tiburon?
Tiburon's code: 1 space per unit. (Multifamily dwellings; studio and one-bedroom units.) (§ 16-32.040); 2 spaces per unit. (Multifamily dwellings; units with two or more bedrooms.) (§ 16-32.040).
General information, not legal advice.
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