Woodside · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Woodside

Woodside limits the space home businesses use and requires a town permit for them. The town also has a section on fences, walls, gates, pylons and berms.

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Key points

Fences: Woodside has a town section on fences, walls, gates, pylons and berms (§ 153.212).
Home business: Woodside home businesses may use 1/4 of the main residence or 400 square feet, whichever is less, and need a town permit.

Each rule below is marked Woodside code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Running a business from home

Woodside code Woodside home businesses may use 1/4 of the main residence or 400 square feet, whichever is less, and need a town permit.

All 4 Woodside rules on running a business from home, with the code text →

Lot splits under SB 9

Woodside code Each new lot must be at least 40% of the existing lot or 1,200 square feet, whichever is greater. Up to 800 square feet.

All 9 Woodside rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Woodside code What Woodside's code adds
EV charger permit	Apply by email, or in person at the Building Division counter during business hours; electronic signatures accepted. Applies: EV charging station permits. § 150.54 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and associated documents for electric vehicle charging station system permits may be made by email.
Solar permit process	Apply by email or online, or in person at the Building Division counter during regular business hours. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 150.34 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and associated documents for small, residential rooftop solar energy system permits shall be made by email or the internet. Only 1 inspection, done within 3 business days. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 150.35 · code text Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the Building Division for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.

Tree removal

Woodside code What Woodside's code adds
Permit to remove	A permit is granted for diseased or hazardous trees, or for removal needed for construction under a valid permit. Applies: Significant trees; also thinning recommended by an arborist or fire district, or non-landmark eucalyptus, acacia or Monterey pine. § 153.436 · code text They are significantly diseased and at risk of dying, transmitting disease to other trees, or falling down; Yes, a permit is required. Applies: Tree destruction. § 153.434 · code text No person shall engage in tree destruction without first obtaining a permit.
Replacement trees	The Planning Director may require replacement trees. § 153.436 · code text The Planning Director may also require tree replacement, as provided in Section 153.438.

Pets, chickens and bees

Woodside code What Woodside's code adds
Large animals	Existing nonconforming livestock uses or structures may continue; the right ends after 1 year or more of abandonment. Applies: Nonconforming livestock uses or structures used for livestock. § 115.07 · code text A nonconforming livestock use or the use of a nonconforming structure for livestock purposes may be continued except as otherwise provided in the Zoning Code.

Building in a flood zone

Woodside code What Woodside's code adds
Floodplain permit	A development permit is required before any construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. § 55.31 · 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 55.07.
Building in a floodway	No fill, new building, substantial improvement or other new development unless an engineer certifies no base flood elevation rise. § 55.46 · code text Encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvement, and other new development are prohibited 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	At least 1 foot 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. § 55.41 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM by at least one foot, or elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. At least 3 feet above the highest nearby grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with no depth number on the FIRM. § 55.41 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM by at least one foot, or elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in flood zone A. § 55.41 · code text In an A zone, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation. The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in flood zones other than AO and A. § 55.41 · code text In all other zones, elevated at least one foot above the base flood elevation.

Outdoor lighting

Woodside code What Woodside's code adds
Light at the property line	Lighting must stay entirely within the property's boundaries. § 153.214 · code text Lighting patterns or illuminated areas shall be entirely contained within the boundaries of the property on which the outdoor lighting is located.
Shielding	Outdoor lights must be shielded or hooded and must not shine or glare on nearby roads or properties. § 153.214 · code text All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be shielded or hooded and shall not shine or glare on adjacent public or private roads or properties.

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)

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Woodside code A service charge applies. The amount is set by resolution. A permit is required. The fee is set by resolution.

All 7 Woodside rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Signs on homes

Woodside code Up to 24 square feet in area per printed side. Signs may not be displayed more than 90 calendar days before the election date.

All 6 Woodside rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Other Woodside rules on this

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

Fences, walls, gates, pylons and berms (§ 153.212)
Grading limits around pools and sport courts (Sec. 151.42)
Grading standards (§ 151.40)
Gas leaf blower ban (§ 94.06)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Woodside?

Woodside has a town section on fences, walls, gates, pylons and berms (§ 153.212). Woodside also has a related rule: Fences, walls, gates, pylons and berms (§ 153.212).

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

Woodside's code: Apply by email or online, or in person at the Building Division counter during regular business hours. (Small residential rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 150.34); Apply by email, or in person at the Building Division counter during business hours; electronic signatures accepted. (EV charging station permits.) (§ 150.54).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Woodside?

Woodside's code: A permit is granted for diseased or hazardous trees, or for removal needed for construction under a valid permit. (Significant trees; also thinning recommended by an arborist or fire district, or non-landmark eucalyptus, acacia or Monterey pine.) (§ 153.436); The Planning Director may require replacement trees. (§ 153.436).

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

Woodside's code: A development permit is required before any construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. (§ 55.31); At least 1 foot above the FIRM depth number, measured from the highest nearby grade. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with a depth number on the FIRM.) (§ 55.41).

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Woodside?

Woodside's code: Outdoor lights must be shielded or hooded and must not shine or glare on nearby roads or properties. (§ 153.214); Lighting must stay entirely within the property's boundaries. (§ 153.214).

Can I run a family child care home in Woodside?

California law sets this for every city, including Woodside: 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)).

General information, not legal advice.

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