Wheatland · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Wheatland

Wheatland sets its own limits on accessory buildings in residential zones. The limits cover combined floor area and the number of buildings per lot.

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Key points

Floor area: In residential zones, Wheatland limits all accessory buildings on a lot to 1,200 square feet of floor area combined.
Number of buildings: Wheatland allows at most three accessory buildings per lot in a residential zone.

Each rule below is marked Wheatland 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

Wheatland code What Wheatland's code adds
Size or lot coverage	No more than 1,200 square feet of floor area for all accessory buildings combined. Applies: On a lot in a residential zone, with at most 3 accessory buildings per lot. § 18.60.010 · code text The combined floor area of accessory buildings on any individual lot shall not exceed one thousand two hundred square feet of floor area.
Side and rear setback	At least 4 feet from the side and rear lot lines. § 18.60.010 · code text Any accessory building shall have a minimum setback four feet from the side and rear lot lines.
Distance from the house	At least 4 feet from the main home and from any other accessory building. § 18.60.010 · code text Any accessory building shall have a minimum four-foot separation between the primary residence and/or any other accessory building.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Wheatland code What Wheatland's code adds
EV charger permit	An expedited building permit; you may apply by email. § 18.64.020 · code text An application for an expedited building permit for electric vehicle charging stations may be filed by email.
Solar permit process	Expedited permits are handled by the County of Yuba building department. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems. § 15.19.010 · code text The City of Wheatland hereby designates the County of Yuba building department as the authority for implementing the city's compliance with the required State of California process for expedited permitting of "small residential rooftop solar energy systems,"

Swimming pools

Wheatland code What Wheatland's code adds
Pool barrier	No openings larger than 4 inches. § 18.60.320 · code text Such pool or the property on which it is located shall be completely enclosed by a wall or fence not less than five feet (sixty inches) in height, containing no openings greater than four inches except for self-closing and self-latching gates on which the latch is at least five feet (sixty inches) above ground level, in order that full control of access by children may be maintained.
Barrier height	At least 5 feet (60 inches) high. § 18.60.320 · code text Such pool or the property on which it is located shall be completely enclosed by a wall or fence not less than five feet (sixty inches) in height, containing no openings greater than four inches except for self-closing and self-latching gates on which the latch is at least five feet (sixty inches) above ground level, in order that full control of access by children may be maintained.
Equipment and alarms	Filter and heating systems may not be within 5 feet of any lot line. Applies: Applies to pool filter and heating systems. § 18.60.320 · code text Filter and heating systems shall not be located within five feet of any lot line.
Gates	Self-closing and self-latching, with the latch at least 5 feet (60 inches) above the ground. § 18.60.320 · code text Such pool or the property on which it is located shall be completely enclosed by a wall or fence not less than five feet (sixty inches) in height, containing no openings greater than four inches except for self-closing and self-latching gates on which the latch is at least five feet (sixty inches) above ground level, in order that full control of access by children may be maintained.
Setback from property lines	At least 50 feet from the front lot line. Applies: The pool must also be on the rear half of the lot. § 18.60.320 · code text Such pool shall be located on the rear one half of the lot and in any case not less than fifty feet from the front lot line and not less than three feet of any side and rear lot line. At least 3 feet. Applies: Distance from side and rear lot lines. § 18.60.320 · code text Such pool shall be located on the rear one half of the lot and in any case not less than fifty feet from the front lot line and not less than three feet of any side and rear lot line.

Building in a flood zone

Wheatland code What Wheatland's code adds
Floodplain permit	A development permit is needed before any construction or development, including structures, fill, storage or drainage facilities. Applies: Any area of special flood hazard. § 15.20.110 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.20.060.
Building in a floodway	No fill, new construction or other encroachment unless a registered professional engineer certifies no base flood elevation increase. Applies: Areas designated as floodways. § 15.20.200 · code text The city shall prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvement, and other new development, unless certification by a registered professional engineer is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in the base flood elevation during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor	1 foot above the FIRM depth number, measured above the highest adjacent grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with a depth number. § 15.20.150 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height one foot above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified; At least 3 feet above the highest adjacent grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with no depth number. § 15.20.150 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height one foot above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified; At least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in or next to an A zone. § 15.20.150 · code text In or adjacent to an A zone, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation (as determined pursuant to Section 15.20.130(B)); At least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in or next to all other flood zones. § 15.20.150 · code text In or adjacent to all other zones, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation.

Noise and construction hours

Wheatland code 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Blowers and power fans must be muffled; combustion engines need a muffler that deadens the noise.

All 4 Wheatland 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)

Parking spaces required for homes

Wheatland code 1 space per 5 units. 1 space per 5 units.

All 5 Wheatland rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Signs on homes

Wheatland code What Wheatland's code adds
Election and other noncommercial signs	A noncommercial message is allowed on any sign the title permits, at the same size and character. § 19.10.080 · code text In each instance and under the same conditions in which this title permits any sign, a sign containing an ideological, political or other noncommercial message and constructed to the same physical dimensions and character shall be permitted.

Trash and recycling carts

Wheatland code What Wheatland's code adds
Required collection service	Refuse pickup is mandatory. Applies: Within the areas of the City of Wheatland defined in the code. § 8.14.020 · code text Within areas, as hereinafter defined, of the City of Wheatland refuse pickup is mandatory.
Where carts are kept	A suitable place readily accessible to the collector, not within the right-of-way of a street or alley. § 8.14.070 · code text it shall be the duty of every owner at all times to keep a suitable place readily accessible to the collector refuse containers as prescribed in any agreement between the city and the collector. No refuse container, other than those of the city, shall be placed, kept, stored or located within the right-of-way of a street or alley

Other Wheatland rules on this

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

Development impact fees (§ 3.26.030)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Wheatland?

In residential zones, Wheatland limits all accessory buildings on a lot to 1,200 square feet of floor area combined. Wheatland allows at most three accessory buildings per lot in a residential zone.

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Wheatland?

Wheatland's code: Expedited permits are handled by the County of Yuba building department. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 15.19.010); An expedited building permit; you may apply by email. (§ 18.64.020).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Wheatland?

Wheatland's code: At least 5 feet (60 inches) high. (§ 18.60.320); At least 50 feet from the front lot line. (The pool must also be on the rear half of the lot.) (§ 18.60.320).

What are the rules for building in a Wheatland flood zone?

Wheatland's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or development, including structures, fill, storage or drainage facilities. (Any area of special flood hazard.) (§ 15.20.110); 1 foot above the FIRM depth number, measured above the highest adjacent grade. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with a depth number.) (§ 15.20.150).

Can I run a family child care home in Wheatland?

California law sets this for every city, including Wheatland: 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 signs may I put up at my home in Wheatland?

Wheatland's code: A noncommercial message is allowed on any sign the title permits, at the same size and character. (§ 19.10.080).

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Wheatland?

Wheatland's code: Refuse pickup is mandatory. (Within the areas of the City of Wheatland defined in the code.) (§ 8.14.020); A suitable place readily accessible to the collector, not within the right-of-way of a street or alley. (§ 8.14.070).

General information, not legal advice.

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