Vallejo · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Vallejo
Vallejo sets its own limits on fences and accessory buildings, and has its own chapter on home-based businesses. Fence height depends on the yard, and taller front fences need city approval.
Key points
- Fence height: In residential districts, Vallejo limits fences to 3 feet in required front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards.
- Accessory buildings: Vallejo limits accessory buildings in residential districts to 14 feet.
- Home businesses: Vallejo has its own chapter on home-based businesses.
Each rule below is marked Vallejo code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Vallejo code In residential districts, Vallejo limits fences to 3 feet in required front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards.
All 10 Vallejo rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Vallejo code Vallejo limits accessory buildings in residential districts to 14 feet.
All 4 Vallejo rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Vallejo code In the driveway, an exterior or interior side yard, or the rear yard. Only short stays: loading or unloading up to 72 hours, or traveling visitors up to 1 week per 6 months.
All 8 Vallejo rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Vallejo code Up to 5 feet above the zone's height limit. Up to 7 feet above the zone's height limit.
All 6 Vallejo rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Vallejo code No replacement trees are required. The director may approve removal, based on a qualified arborist's report, if no feasible alternative site design exists.
Swimming pools
Vallejo code Pools must be walled or fenced against access from the street or neighbors, and meet Building Code pool fencing rules. Pool equipment must be mounted and enclosed or screened so its sound meets the city noise standards.
Pets, chickens and bees
Vallejo code Yes, up to 3 colonies. Hives at least 10 feet from occupied neighbors' side or rear lines and 40 feet from the front line.
All 10 Vallejo rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Vallejo code No encroachment unless a registered professional engineer certifies no increase in base flood elevation. No development unless all development combined raises the base flood level no more than 1 foot.
All 7 Vallejo rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
Vallejo code Digs under 3 feet deep with slopes no steeper than 2 horizontal to 1 vertical. Fills up to 50 cubic yards per lot: under 1 foot on terrain flatter than 5:1, or under 3 feet.
All 3 Vallejo rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
Vallejo code Soils and geotechnical studies are required. The studies may be waived.
All 4 Vallejo rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
Vallejo code Adjusted automatically by the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index for the San Francisco Bay Area. 4¼ acres per 1,000 residents.
All 7 Vallejo rules on park and impact fees for new homes, 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
| Guest parking |
|
|---|---|
| Spaces per apartment or condo |
|
Trash and recycling carts
Vallejo code Every premises must subscribe to and keep the minimum level of collection service. Carts may not stay in public view after 10 p.m. on the day of pickup.
All 3 Vallejo rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Vallejo code A certificate of appropriateness is required. AHLC review and 14-day notice.
All 10 Vallejo rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Vallejo rules on this
Vallejo's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Home-based business (Ch. 16.321)
- Noise disturbances (Ch. 7.84)
- Outdoor lighting and glare (Ch. 16.506)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Vallejo?
Vallejo has its own chapter on home-based businesses. Vallejo also has a related rule: Home-based business (Ch. 16.321).
Can I run a family child care home in Vallejo?
California law sets this for every city, including Vallejo: 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 Vallejo?
Vallejo's code: No guest parking required. (Developments with 10 or more dwelling units.) (§ 16.508.04); 1 per unit. (All residential uses, except those listed separately in the parking table.) (§ 16.508.04).
General information, not legal advice.
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