Woodlake · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Woodlake

Woodlake limits the size and height of accessory structures placed in required rear or side setbacks, by zone. Home businesses need a city permit, and many uses are not allowed.

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Key points

Accessory structures: In Medium Density zones, Woodlake accessory structures in rear or side setbacks are limited to 300 square feet and a 15-foot roof ridge.
Home business: Woodlake home businesses need a home occupation permit; uses such as salons, massage, kennels, medical offices and vehicle repair are not allowed.

Each rule below is marked Woodlake 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

Woodlake code In Medium Density zones, Woodlake accessory structures in rear or side setbacks are limited to 300 square feet and a 15-foot roof ridge.

All 13 Woodlake rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

Woodlake code What Woodlake's code adds
Permit	A home occupation permit is required. § 17.78.040 · code text A home occupation permit may be denied if the director finds that land use proposed for a home occupation is listed in this section, or that the land use is not incidental nor compatible with residential activities.
Businesses not allowed	Barbershop, hair salon, nail care, massage therapy, or day spa § 17.78.040 · code text 1. Barbershop, hair salon, nail care, massage therapy, or day spa. Fortune telling § 17.78.040 · code text 2. Fortune telling. Kennel or animal boarding § 17.78.040 · code text 3. Kennel or animal boarding. Laboratory, general or medical § 17.78.040 · code text 4. Laboratory, general or medical. Mini-warehouse or self-storage facility § 17.78.040 · code text 5. Mini-warehouse or self-storage facility. Motor vehicle repair or service, minor or major § 17.78.040 · code text 6. Motor vehicle repair or service, minor or major. Office; medical, dental, or optometry § 17.78.040 · code text 7. Office; medical, dental, or optometry. Pet grooming § 17.78.040 · code text 8. Pet grooming. Repair shop, large appliance or equipment § 17.78.040 · code text 9. Repair shop, large appliance or equipment. Specialty construction or trade service where construction activities take place at the site § 17.78.040 · code text 10. Specialty construction or trade service where construction activities take place at the site. Tattooing or body art § 17.78.040 · code text 11. Tattooing or body art. Landscaping or tree-cutting service § 17.78.040 · code text 12. Landscaping or tree-cutting service. Any other use determined by the director to be not incidental nor compatible with residential activities § 17.78.040 · code text 13. Any other use determined by the director to be not incidental nor compatible with residential activities.

RV and boat parking

Woodlake code Side and rear yards. The front setback driveway.

All 11 Woodlake rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Woodlake code The building official approves and issues needed permits when the application meets the city checklist; electronic filing and signatures accepted. Expedited review; only 1 inspection is required.

All 3 Woodlake rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →

Swimming pools

Woodlake code No openings larger than 3 inches when all gates are closed. At least 5 feet high.

All 5 Woodlake rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Woodlake code Yes, up to 4 hens. At least 25 feet from any home.

All 4 Woodlake rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Woodlake code What Woodlake's code adds
Floodplain permit	A development permit is needed before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes. Applies: In any special flood hazard area. § 15.28.140 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.28.070.
Building in a floodway	No new building or development, including fill, unless all development combined raises base flood level no more than 1 foot. Applies: Zones A1-30 and AE, until a regulatory floodway is adopted; measured at any point in the city. § 15.28.210 · code text Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones A1-30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the City of Woodlake. No fill, new building, substantial improvement or other development unless a civil engineer certifies no rise in flood levels. Applies: Inside an adopted regulatory floodway. § 15.28.210 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the City of Woodlake shall prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development, unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating that the proposed encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor must be 2 feet above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 Zones. § 15.28.160 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 Zones, elevated two feet above the base flood elevation. 2 feet above the FIRM depth number, measured from the highest nearby grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with a depth number on the FIRM. § 15.28.160 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height two feet above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least four feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified.. At least 4 feet above the highest nearby grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with no depth number on the FIRM. § 15.28.160 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height two feet above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least four feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified.. The lowest floor must be 2 feet above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone with no base flood elevation on the FIRM. § 15.28.160 · code text In an A zone, without BFE's specified on the FIRM [unnumbered A zone], elevated two feet above the base flood elevation; as determined under 15.28.150(C).

Noise and construction hours

Woodlake code What Woodlake's code adds
Construction hours on weekdays	7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Applies: Every day, in or within 500 feet of residential zones; outside construction that annoys a reasonable neighbor is barred from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. § 8.24.020 · code text Between the hours of ten p.m. of one day and seven a.m. of the following day, it is unlawful for any person within a residential zone, or within a radius of five hundred (500) feet therefrom, to create, cause to be created or maintain sources of noise which shall cause annoyance or discomfort to a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness in the neighborhood.
Quiet hours	10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Applies: In or within 500 feet of residential zones; any noise that annoys a reasonable neighbor, such as loud music, machinery or animals. § 8.24.020 · code text Between the hours of ten p.m. of one day and seven a.m. of the following day, it is unlawful for any person within a residential zone, or within a radius of five hundred (500) feet therefrom, to create, cause to be created or maintain sources of noise which shall cause annoyance or discomfort to a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness in the neighborhood.

Outdoor lighting

Woodlake code What Woodlake's code adds
Shielding	Lights must be placed, aimed or shielded to minimize light crossing property lines or going skyward. Applies: All zones; except public streetlights and solar lights of 5 watts or less per fixture. § 17.50.130 · code text All lights and light fixtures, except public streetlights and solar-powered lights of five (5) watts or less per fixture, shall be located, aimed or shielded so as to minimize light trespassing across property boundaries or skyward.

Garage and yard sales

Woodlake code A sale may last no more than 3 days in a row. Yes; the permit fee is $1.00.

All 4 Woodlake rules on garage and yard sales, 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

Woodlake code Replacement not needed if the driveway fits at least 2 spaces; they need not be covered and may be tandem. 1 space per dwelling unit.

All 6 Woodlake rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Signs on homes

Woodlake code What Woodlake's code adds
Signs that need no permit	One nameplate per residence, mounted on a wall, up to 2 square feet, identifying the owner and/or address. § 17.56.040 · code text One (1) nameplate per residence or business premises, mounted on a wall and not exceeding two (2) square feet in area, identifying the owner and/or address of the property. Temporary signs that meet the standards of Chapter 17.56 need no permit. § 17.56.040 · code text Temporary signs that conform to the standards of Chapter 17.56.

Trash and recycling carts

Woodlake code Subscribe to the refuse/recycling and the green waste collection service provided through the city. Residential customers must sort green waste, garbage and recyclables from each other before putting refuse out.

All 5 Woodlake rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Woodlake?

Woodlake home businesses need a home occupation permit; uses such as salons, massage, kennels, medical offices and vehicle repair are not allowed.

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

Woodlake's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes. (In any special flood hazard area.) (§ 15.28.140); The lowest floor must be 2 feet above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 Zones.) (§ 15.28.160).

What are the noise rules and construction hours in Woodlake?

Woodlake's code: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Every day, in or within 500 feet of residential zones; outside construction that annoys a reasonable neighbor is barred from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) (§ 8.24.020); 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (In or within 500 feet of residential zones; any noise that annoys a reasonable neighbor, such as loud music, machinery or animals.) (§ 8.24.020).

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Woodlake?

Woodlake's code: Lights must be placed, aimed or shielded to minimize light crossing property lines or going skyward. (All zones; except public streetlights and solar lights of 5 watts or less per fixture.) (§ 17.50.130).

Can I run a family child care home in Woodlake?

California law sets this for every city, including Woodlake: 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 Woodlake?

Woodlake's code: One nameplate per residence, mounted on a wall, up to 2 square feet, identifying the owner and/or address. (§ 17.56.040); Temporary signs that meet the standards of Chapter 17.56 need no permit. (§ 17.56.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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