Yuba County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Yuba County
Yuba County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. Many of its fence, accessory structure and home business rules differ inside and outside the valley growth boundary.
Key points
- Fence height: County fences are limited to 8 feet outside front and street side yards; in the valley growth boundary, front-yard fences to 3 feet.
- Accessory structures: Within the valley growth boundary, no single county accessory structure may exceed the primary building's ground floor area, except agricultural uses.
- Home business: County home businesses may use 25% of the dwelling's floor area, including attached garages, and need a zoning clearance or self certification.
Each rule below is marked Yuba County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Yuba County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Yuba County have their own codes and their own pages.
Fences and walls
Yuba County code County fences are limited to 8 feet outside front and street side yards; in the valley growth boundary, front-yard fences to 3 feet.
All 7 Yuba County rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Size or lot coverage |
|
|---|---|
| Side and rear setback |
|
Running a business from home
Yuba County code County home businesses may use 25% of the dwelling's floor area, including attached garages, and need a zoning clearance or self certification.
All 20 Yuba County rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Yuba County code In a driveway, side yard or rear yard. Not allowed in a required front yard or street-side setback, except on driveways.
All 4 Yuba County rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Yuba County code The system cannot be taller than the maximum legal building height. Expedited applications get priority; complete documents get health and safety review only, then the permit; 1 final inspection.
All 4 Yuba County rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
Yuba County code The gap from the ground to the bottom of the enclosure can be at most 2 inches. Gaps cannot let a sphere 4 inches or more in diameter pass through.
All 19 Yuba County rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
| Steepest cut or fill slope |
|
|---|
Park and impact fees for new homes
Yuba County code No development impact fee for buildings accessory to a legal home. $3.57 per square foot.
All 5 Yuba County rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
| Construction hours on weekdays |
|
|---|
Outdoor lighting
| Light at the property line |
|
|---|---|
| Shielding |
|
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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| Alarm permit |
|
|---|---|
| When a permit can be revoked |
|
Signs on homes
Yuba County code 1 wall sign, 4 square feet in area, 6 feet in height. Address signs need no permit.
All 10 Yuba County rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Yuba County code Remove containers within 24 hours after collection. No earlier than 24 hours before collection
All 4 Yuba County rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Yuba County rules on this
Yuba County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Animal raising and keeping (§ 11.32.050)
- Floodplain management (Ch. 10.30)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Yuba County?
Within the valley growth boundary, no single county accessory structure may exceed the primary building's ground floor area, except agricultural uses.
What are the grading rules in Yuba County?
Yuba County's code: Cut slopes may be no steeper than 2:1. (Permanent cuts; steeper in solid bedrock if the geotechnical report recommends it; the agency may require 3:1.) (§ 11.23.070); Fill slopes may be no steeper than 2:1. (Permanent fills, unless a soils report supports a steeper slope.) (§ 11.23.070).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Yuba County?
Yuba County's code: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Every day, in or within 500 feet of residential zones; annoying outside construction from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. needs a permit; emergencies excepted.) (§ 8.20.310).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Yuba County?
Yuba County's code: Lights must aim away from neighboring properties and streets; floodlight glare may not shine onto other property or streets. (§ 11.26.070); one-half foot-candle (onto a residentially zoned property or any property containing residential uses) (§ 11.26.070).
Can I run a family child care home in Yuba County?
California law sets this for every city, including Yuba County: 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 Yuba County?
Yuba County's code: File alarm system permit applications with the Sheriff's Office. (Persons who operate or maintain an alarm system.) (§ 8.90.030); 3 in 30 days, 5 in 90 or 6 in 180: 15-day suspension; revoked if suspended in prior 12 months. (§ 8.90.090).
General information, not legal advice.
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