Windsor · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Windsor
Windsor limits detached accessory structure height and total size, with larger sizes allowed by Minor Use Permit. Home businesses need a Zoning Clearance and are limited in space, customers and workers.
Key points
- Accessory structures: Windsor limits detached accessory structures to 15 feet and the main home's height; all together, 840 square feet without a Minor Use Permit.
- Home business: Windsor home businesses may use 25% of the main dwelling or 400 square feet, whichever is greater, and have at most 8 customers daily.
Each rule below is marked Windsor 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
Windsor code Windsor limits detached accessory structures to 15 feet and the main home's height; all together, 840 square feet without a Minor Use Permit.
All 4 Windsor rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Windsor code Windsor home businesses may use 25% of the main dwelling or 400 square feet, whichever is greater, and have at most 8 customers daily.
All 11 Windsor rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Windsor code Each new lot must be 40% of the original lot's area. At most 1,200 square feet.
All 19 Windsor rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Tree removal
Windsor code Emergency removal is allowed when a protected tree is an immediate threat to public safety or welfare. Exempt: removing or moving trees to keep required sight lines for traffic.
Pets, chickens and bees
| Bees |
|
|---|---|
| Permit |
|
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Park and impact fees for new homes
| How the park fee is set |
|
|---|---|
| Parkland per 1,000 residents |
|
Outdoor lighting
Windsor code Off by 11:00 p.m. or once no one is outside, whichever is later; on 1 hour before sunset at earliest. Color temperature may not exceed 3,000 Kelvin.
All 6 Windsor rules on outdoor lighting, 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 |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Windsor code Alterations to existing residences (improved, restored, expanded, extended) are exempt if units are not increased to 5 or more. Accessory and junior accessory dwelling units built in compliance with the specified chapters are exempt.
All 10 Windsor rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
|
|---|---|
| False alarms before a fee |
|
Signs on homes
Windsor code Signs up to 2 square feet showing the occupant name, street number and street name need no permit. Street addresses in Arabic numbers at least 3 inches high.
Trash and recycling carts
Windsor code Containers may not be left out more than 24 hours after the regularly scheduled collection day. Containers may not be put out earlier than 24 hours before the regularly scheduled collection day.
All 3 Windsor rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Windsor code The Director may approve alterations or demolition only after finding no adverse effect on historic features and a compatible style. Demolition requires proof of financial commitment for the replacement and an issued Building Permit for it.
Other Windsor rules on this
Windsor's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Noise limits in all zones (§ 17.32.070)
- Noise permit for amplified sound and events (§ 3-5-102)
- Construction hours (§ 7-1-1018)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Windsor?
Windsor's code: Allowed; hives at least 5 feet from interior side and rear lines and 10 feet from a street-side line. (Accessory to homes where the zone allows; other residential lots need Director approval; not in the required front setback.) (§ 17.40.060).
What are the rules for building in a Windsor flood zone?
Windsor's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes. (In any special flood hazard area.) (§ 9-1-455); The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 Zones.) (§ 9-1-515).
What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Windsor?
Windsor's code: Equal to the Park Land Acquisition Fee part of the Town's Park Impact Fee. (Fees paid by subdivisions instead of giving park land.) (§ 16-3-140); 5.0 acres per 1,000 people: 3 for community parks and 2 for neighborhood parks. (Land or fees from subdivisions.) (§ 16-3-130).
Can I run a family child care home in Windsor?
California law sets this for every city, including Windsor: 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 Windsor?
Windsor's code: The fee amount is set by resolution of the Town Council. (False alarms at the same property location in excess of 4 per calendar year.) (§ 3-10-1910); Up to 4 false alarms per calendar year. More than 4 is a public nuisance with a fee. (Same property location.) (§ 3-10-1910).
General information, not legal advice.
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