A Resident's Guide to Redwood City's Local Ordinances

Redwood City, California may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 130 tracked ordinances across 42 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: Redwood City caps main houses in its R-1 and RH single-family districts at 28 feet and two and a half stories, with separate, lower height ceilings for detached accessory buildings and accessory dwelling units built on the same lot..

Also covered: Setback Rules (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Redwood City for details.

Rental Property Rules

Relocation Assistance: Redwood City Code Section 42.6 requires landlords who end a tenancy for a no-fault reason to pay relocation assistance equal to one month's rent, or waive the final month's rent, within 15 days. Lower-income households get an added cash payment of up to three or four months of Fair Market Rent, a security deposit refund and a rental-agency subscription..

Also covered: Just Cause Eviction (moderate), Repairs & Habitability (moderate), Rental Registration (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Redwood City for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Redwood City bans all commercial cannabis activity except specific licensed uses in industrial and select commercial districts. Storefront retail needs a Cannabis Business Permit plus a use permit in most zones, and cultivation beyond small indoor nurseries is prohibited citywide..

Also covered: Buffer Zones (restrictive). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Redwood City for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Redwood City makes it unlawful to solicit or peddle within the City without first obtaining an identification permit from the Chief of Police, and that permit is required in addition to any business license..

Short-Term Rentals

Occupancy Limits: Redwood City Municipal Code Chapter 42A limits short-term rental occupancy to two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests per stay, capped at ten guests total. STRs are restricted to the host's primary residence; second homes and investment properties are not permitted.

Also covered: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (restrictive), Host Platform Liability (moderate), Repeat Violator Strikes (restrictive). See the full short-term rentals guide for Redwood City for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rental Restrictions: Redwood City bars owners from selling an accessory dwelling unit or junior ADU separately from the main house, and from renting either one for less than 30 days, under Zoning Code Section 37.5. Only ADUs already registered as short-term rentals with the City before January 1, 2020 are grandfathered in and may keep operating as short-term rentals..

Also covered: ADU Owner Occupancy (restrictive), ADU Rules (moderate), Shed & Carport Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Redwood City for details.

Filming & Production

Location Permits: Commercial filming inside any Redwood City park, park building or recreation area requires a Temporary Exclusive Use Permit before a crew can set up. The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director reviews each request case by case and sets the applicable fees and conditions..

Public Conduct

Public Urination: Redwood City makes it unlawful to urinate or defecate in a public place, or any area of a public place, except into a toilet or urinal. Section 21.17 sets the outright ban, and Section 21.18 classifies a violation as an infraction with an escalating fine schedule..

Also covered: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (restrictive), Public Marijuana Use (restrictive), Loud Party Ordinance (restrictive). See the full public conduct guide for Redwood City for details.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Redwood City lets residents post garage sale signs on the sale day without a permit, but City Code Section 3.81 caps each sign at four square feet and three feet in height, and limits any one property to four signs per sale..

Also covered: Political Signs (moderate), Window Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Redwood City for details.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: Redwood City requires a Temporary Exclusive Use Permit before anyone brings a portable BBQ into a city park, and even with a permit the grill can only go in an approved site inside a designated park picnic area. Grilling anywhere else in a park is a prohibited act enforced by the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department..

Hotels & Lodging

Transient Occupancy Tax: Redwood City collects a 12% transient occupancy tax on every hotel stay, and the code's definition of 'hotel' expressly includes short-term rentals booked under Zoning Code Section 31.3. Operators add the tax to the guest's rent, collect it at payment, and remit it to the City's Tax Administrator under the Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax Ordinance..

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Redwood City bans parking, storing, or leaving an RV, trailer, boat, or similar mobile equipment on a residential lawn under its public-nuisance code, and separately bans parking any recreational vehicle on a public street between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., with a 48-hour loading exception near the owner's home..

Also covered: Curb Color Rules (moderate), Overnight Parking (moderate), Preferential Parking Districts (restrictive). See the full parking rules guide for Redwood City for details.

Trash & Recycling

Mandatory Organics Recycling: Every single-family home in Redwood City must subscribe to the city's three-container organic waste collection service and sort food scraps, yard trimmings, and food-soiled paper into the green cart, keeping them out of the black cart, under City Code Section 47.040. The rule implements state law SB 1383 and carries escalating fines enforced under Section 47.150..

Also covered: Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Recycling Requirements (moderate), Illegal Dumping (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Redwood City for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: Redwood City bans all "safe and sane" fireworks outright under Sec. 12.33 and allows "dangerous fireworks" only with a Fire Chief permit under Sec.

Also covered: Brush Clearance (moderate), Wildfire Zones (moderate), Smoke Detectors (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Redwood City for details.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses

Density Bonus Law: Redwood City implements California's State Density Bonus Law locally at Zoning Code § 32.19, granting bonus units, incentives, concessions, waivers and parking reductions to residential or mixed-use projects adding five or more dwelling units that include affordable housing. Applicants submit a letter of intent with their first project application, and State Density Bonus Law controls wherever the two conflict..

Also covered: Downtown Design Guide (moderate). See the full zoning overlays & bonuses guide for Redwood City for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Redwood City requires a residential rooftop solar permit under Sec. 9.215, with online submittal, a standardized checklist, and fees capped by state fee statutes; the streamlined Article 9.211-9.216 process applies only to single- and duplex-family systems that meet the Article's size and code-compliance definition..

Also covered: Expedited Solar Permitting (moderate). See the full solar energy guide for Redwood City for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

Shared E-Scooter Rules: Redwood City requires a discretionary permit before any company can operate shared scooters or bikes, on top of a business license. The City sets fees per ride and per application, can impound unauthorized devices within 24 hours, and can suspend or revoke a permit through a hearing and appeal process..

Tree Protection

Heritage & Protected Trees: The Park and Recreation Commission can designate any Redwood City tree, regardless of size, a protected "heritage tree" under Code Sec. 35.2 if it is healthy, visible from a public right-of-way, and either historically significant, indigenous to the area, or part of a mutually dependent grove..

Also covered: Protected Tree Species (moderate), Parkway Planting (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Redwood City for details.

Special Events & Permits

Park Event Permits: Redwood City requires a Temporary Exclusive Use Permit under Code Section 25.2.03 for park activities like groups of 25 or more, jumper structures, portable BBQs, overnight camping, amplified sound, live music, filming for commercial use, or selling merchandise. The Director sets fees and reviews every application case by case, and can require insurance and security..

Also covered: Parade Permits (restrictive), Street Fair Rules (moderate), Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (moderate). See the full special events & permits guide for Redwood City for details.

Fence Regulations

Material Restrictions: Redwood City bans electrically charged fences, barbed wire, razor wire and other wire fencing in every residential zoning district, and separately bans chain link, barbed/razor wire and corrugated metal fencing in its Mixed Use Corridor, Neighborhood and Transitional districts. Chain link is also barred above three feet in residential front yards and street-side corner yards..

Also covered: Retaining Walls (moderate), Fence Permit Requirements (moderate), Height Limits (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Redwood City for details.

Local Taxes & Fees

Business Tax Classification: Redwood City's business license tax has two parts: a flat $90 annual registration fee and an incremental per-employee rate that varies by business category, from $10 per retail employee up to $250 per professional-services employee, capped at $250,000 per business..

Animal Ordinances

Wildlife Feeding: Redwood City bars feeding, capturing, hunting, or otherwise harming any wild or domestic bird, fowl, fish, reptile, or animal in a City park under Code Section 25.2.02(I), with an exception only for activity that conforms to federal or state wildlife regulations or permits. The ban covers eggs, nests, and young animals too..

Also covered: Beekeeping (moderate), Bird Protection (restrictive), Dog Leash Laws (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Redwood City for details.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Encampment Sanitation: Redwood City bans camping on public property under Chapter 49 (the Hopeful Horizons ordinance) whenever a shelter bed is available, and sets a strict notice-and-storage protocol before crews clear a site: 48 hours near schools or the Navigation Center, 72 hours elsewhere..

Building Safety

Fire Sprinkler Requirements: Redwood City's locally amended Fire Code requires an automatic fire sprinkler system in every new single-family home (Group R-3) built in the city, installed to the 2025 California Residential Code's R313.1/R313.2 standards and covering attached garages and carports. New duplexes and apartments (R-1/R-2) face the same mandate under a companion section..

Also covered: Plumbing Permits (moderate), Electrical Permits (moderate), Anti-Mansionization (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Redwood City for details.

Public Health Rules

Food Handler Certification: Redwood City requires staff who handle edible food recovery for Tier One and Tier Two commercial edible food generators, and anyone who self-hauls that food, to hold an ANSI-accredited food handler card such as ServSafe, under Municipal Code Section 47.070, with certification confirmed in an annual report to the County..

Also covered: Rodent Control (moderate). See the full public health rules guide for Redwood City for details.

Environmental Rules

Boat Dock Permits: Redwood City Code Section 44.16 bars building any wharf, pier, landing, bulkhead or other permanent structure in the City harbor without written permission from the Board of Port Commissioners. Placing any buoy, marker or obstruction, temporary or permanent, also needs the Port Manager's written approval unless placed by a government agency..

Also covered: Flood Zones (moderate), Flood Elevation Requirements (moderate), Stormwater Management (restrictive). See the full environmental rules guide for Redwood City for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency, Duration & Permits: Redwood City limits garage sales to two per calendar year at the same address, each lasting no more than three consecutive days and held only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays or holidays. Signs can go up only the day before and during the sale..

Historic Preservation

Historic-Cultural Monuments: Redwood City Code Chapter 40 lets the City Council designate a building, site or district a historic landmark if it meets criteria set in Section 40.6, such as reflecting the city's cultural or architectural history. Once designated, Section 40.8 makes it unlawful to alter, demolish or move the property without written Planning Commission approval..

Holiday Decorations

Lawn Ornament Rules: Redwood City's sign code exempts holiday and cultural yard displays entirely. City Code Section 3.60 excludes "Cultural Decorations", noncommercial displays on residential property tied to cultural observances such as Halloween, Christmas, and New Year's, from the definition of a sign, so no sign permit or size limit applies..

Noise Ordinances

Decibel Limits: In Redwood City, after a noise-abatement notice, it is unlawful to allow a party or gathering of three or more people to generate noise between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Also covered: Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Redwood City for details.

Landscaping Rules

Weed Ordinances: Redwood City makes it unlawful for an owner or occupant of property fronting an improved street with cement sidewalks or curbs to allow grass, weeds, dirt, rubbish, or other obstructions to accumulate or grow in the walk area from curb to property line..

Also covered: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (restrictive), Water Restrictions (moderate), Tree Trimming (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Redwood City for details.

Single-Use Items

Utensils-On-Request: Redwood City Code section 13.402 bars restaurants and other food facilities from handing out disposable utensils, straws or packaged condiments unless a customer specifically asks for them, for dine-in, takeout and delivery orders alike. Bundled utensil packs are banned outright: each fork, knife or spoon must be individually requested..

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules

Encroachment Permits: Redwood City requires an encroachment permit before anyone builds, places, or maintains almost anything in the public right-of-way, from a fence, sign, or planter to a parklet or sidewalk cafe. The Engineering and Transportation Department issues permits under Section 29.3 of the Municipal Code, and unpermitted work draws civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day..

Also covered: Sidewalk Repair (moderate). See the full sidewalk & pedestrian rules guide for Redwood City for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Redwood City bars any owner or occupant from letting refuse of any kind collect and remain on a lot or premises, with a carve-out for active construction sites. The Health Officer can inspect any premises to check compliance, and a violation defaults to a misdemeanor..

Also covered: Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Redwood City for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Secondhand Dealers: Redwood City requires anyone wrecking, salvaging or dealing in secondhand automobile parts to get a permit and license from the City Council. The Council holds a noticed public hearing on every application and can suspend or revoke the license after a hearing on a complaint..

Also covered: Massage Establishments (restrictive), Adult Entertainment (restrictive), Tobacco Retail License (restrictive). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Redwood City for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Redwood City makes it unlawful for a minor to remain in any public place during curfew hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Redwood City for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Redwood City bans signage that advertises a home-based business, full stop. City Code Section 3.72 lists "Home Based Occupation Signs" among sign types prohibited citywide, and Section 3.84's residential signage rules state directly that signs advertising home occupations are prohibited..

Also covered: Home Daycare (limited), Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (moderate). See the full home business guide for Redwood City for details.

Gambling & Gaming

Card Room Licensing: Redwood City's own Municipal Code, not just state law, declares it unlawful for anyone in the city to play or engage in any card, dice, or other game for money or anything redeemable in money. With no local ordinance authorizing card rooms, Section 21.2 operates as a citywide gambling-for-money ban..

Water Use Rules

Recycled Water Rules: Residents who join Redwood City's Recycled Water Fill Station Program pay a one-time fee for an Access Card plus a per-gallon Consumption Charge, both set by City Council resolution and billed as separate line items on the water utility bill under Code Sec. 38.13(C)..

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass & Shielding: New development in Redwood City's Mixed-Use Corridor zoning sub-districts must light sidewalks, walkways, plazas and courtyards with fixtures that are low mounted and downward casting, specifically to cut light trespass onto adjacent properties, under Zoning Ordinance Article 53..

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: Before Redwood City finalizes a building permit for a new pool or spa, or a remodel of one, at a single-family home, the pool must carry at least two of seven state-mandated drowning-prevention features, and the building official must inspect them before signing off, under California's Swimming Pool Safety Act..

Also covered: Fencing & Safety Requirements (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Redwood City for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: To operate in Redwood City, food truck vending needs a Temporary Use Permit under Zoning Code Section 31.19, reviewed administratively by the Zoning Administrator with no public hearing, valid for up to 90 days and renewable once to a maximum 120 days within any 12-month period..

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Redwood City, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.