Turlock · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Turlock
Turlock sets its own limits on accessory structures and home businesses. Accessory setbacks depend on height and zone, and some businesses, such as vehicle sales or repair and music or dance schools, may not run from a home.
Key points
- Accessory buildings: In A and R districts, Turlock limits accessory buildings to 15 feet, and detached ones over 7 feet to 1,000 square feet combined.
- Home businesses: Turlock limits a home business to 400 square feet, 2 customers at a time and 6 a day, with residents only working on site.
Each rule below is marked Turlock 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
Turlock code In A and R districts, Turlock limits accessory buildings to 15 feet, and detached ones over 7 feet to 1,000 square feet combined.
All 8 Turlock rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Turlock code Turlock limits a home business to 400 square feet, 2 customers at a time and 6 a day, with residents only working on site.
All 6 Turlock rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|---|
| Solar permit process |
|
Pets, chickens and bees
Turlock code Yes, up to 6 domesticated fowl; no roosters. At least 20 feet from the rear property line.
All 6 Turlock rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
| Grading without a permit |
|
|---|
Park and impact fees for new homes
Turlock code The value of the land that would have been dedicated. 50 parcels or fewer: the subdivider pays the land value of its share of the local park instead.
All 3 Turlock rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
Turlock code 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
All 8 Turlock rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
| Permit |
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|---|---|
| Signs |
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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 |
Signs on homes
Turlock code At most 6 square feet per sign and 4 feet high. Signs may take up at most 25 percent of the street frontage.
Trash and recycling carts
Turlock code Put source separated organic waste in the appropriate container. Not more than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours
All 3 Turlock rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
| Demolishing an older or historic home |
|
|---|
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Turlock?
Turlock's code: Apply in person, by mail or electronically, with any required fees; electronic signatures may replace a wet signature. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 8-7-03); Permits issue when the application meets the City checklist; electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted. (EV charging stations; the charger may not be turned on until approval is granted.) (§ 8-12-04).
What are the grading rules in Turlock?
Turlock's code: 25 cubic yards or less of material disturbed, stored, disposed of or used as fill. (Always exempt.) (§ 7-4-103); Permitted basement and footing excavation, and well digging. (Exempt from a grading permit; not fill made from it, or excavations with an unsupported height over 5 feet.) (§ 7-4-103).
What are the garage sale rules in Turlock?
Turlock's code: A permit is required from the Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Department; the applicant must own or live there. (§ 3-1-805); Signs must follow the private property sign rules; an illegal sign brings a citation and 1 year without new permits. (§ 3-1-806).
Can I run a family child care home in Turlock?
California law sets this for every city, including Turlock: 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)).
What rules apply to a historic home in Turlock?
Turlock's code: Prior approval from the Development Services Director as a minor administrative approval. (Building or structure for which a historic site contract has been entered into.) (§ 9-5-805).
General information, not legal advice.
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