Before You Build in Santa Rosa, CA: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Santa Rosa zoning permits standard residential fence materials (wood, vinyl, masonry, ornamental metal, chain link). Barbed wire, razor wire and electrified fencing are generally prohibited in residential zones.

Santa Rosa Zoning Code Section 20-30.060 caps residential fences at 36 inches within the front-yard or exterior-side setback, and 6 feet within an interior-side or rear-yard setback. A 6-foot fence with 2 feet of lattice (8 feet total) is allowed by right outside the front/street-side setback, but any fence over 7 feet requires a Building Permit.

Santa Rosa requires a Building Permit for any fence exceeding 7 feet in height. A 6-foot fence with 2 feet of lattice (8 feet total) is allowed by right without a zoning permit in interior side, rear, or out-of-setback locations, but the 7-foot Building Permit threshold still applies. Heights beyond the Table 3-1 limits also require a Minor Director Conditional Use Permit (not available in a vision triangle).

Santa Rosa follows California Civil Code for boundary fences. Costs for boundary fences are shared equally between neighbors. Disputes may be resolved through mediation.

Any new pool or spa, remodel, or removal in Santa Rosa requires a Building Permit issued through the Building Division (100 Santa Rosa Avenue, Room 3). Applications are filed through Permit Santa Rosa (Accela Citizen Access).

Santa Rosa enforces California Building Code Section 3109 and Health and Safety Code Section 115921-115922. Any pool enclosure used as a drowning-prevention feature must be at least 60 inches high, have gates that open away from the pool, and be self-closing and self-latching.

Santa Rosa follows California Health and Safety Code requirements for residential pools. Pools must have anti-entrapment drain covers, and at least two of seven approved safety features are required for new construction.

Above-ground pools in Santa Rosa must meet the same barrier and safety requirements as in-ground pools. Pools holding more than 18 inches of water require compliance with the California Building Code.

Santa Rosa allows one ADU plus one JADU on single-family lots under Zoning Code Section 20-42.130, adopted by urgency Ordinance on March 3, 2020 to align with California Government Code Sections 65852.2 and 65852.22. Detached ADUs are capped at 1,200 sq ft with 4-ft side/rear setbacks and a 16-ft (one-story) or 27-ft (two-story) height limit; JADUs are capped at 500 sq ft and must sit entirely within the existing single-family dwelling walls.

Santa Rosa permits garage-to-ADU conversions ministerially under Zoning Code Section 20-42.130 with no replacement parking required and no setback required for existing legally constructed garages converted to an ADU with independent exterior access. Conversion to non-habitable storage requires a standard building permit, while conversion to habitable space (ADU or JADU) follows the city's 2020 ADU ordinance and California Government Code Sections 65852.2 and 65852.22.

Santa Rosa Zoning Code Section 20-42.030 caps carports at 16 feet tall and requires the carport face to sit at least 19 feet back from the property line, curb, or sidewalk on street-facing lots. Any structure over 120 sq ft needs a building permit. Carports are subject to Design Review and the 2022 California Building Code.

Santa Rosa requires a building permit for any accessory structure over 120 square feet of floor area, per the city's Accessory Structure Requirements Policy (Policy No. 2.5.3, effective June 2, 2005, revised July 2011) which implements California Building Code Section 1808 and Santa Rosa Zoning Code Section 20-42.030. Sheds 120 sq ft or smaller are exempt from a structural permit but cannot be used as habitable or conditioned space, and any electrical or plumbing installation requires a separate permit.

Open burning of trash, debris, garbage, or hazardous waste is unlawful in Santa Rosa. Vegetative debris pile burning is permitted only for WUI parcels of 5+ acres under a Fire Department permit, and pile burn permits are suspended during the declared wildfire season (annually from approximately June 1 to November 1).

Gas-fueled (LPG or natural gas) fire pits are allowed in Santa Rosa with a 10-foot setback from combustible vegetation and overhanging tree limbs. Wood-fueled fire pits are treated as recreational fires under California Fire Code § 307 (adopted at City Code Ch. 18-44): max 3-foot diameter, 25-foot clearance, attendant required.

Santa Rosa requires property owners to maintain trees so they do not obstruct sidewalks, streets, or sight lines. Branches must be trimmed to at least 8 feet over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets.

Santa Rosa enforces water conservation regulations including restrictions on outdoor watering days and times. The city is served by Sonoma Water and follows state drought regulations.

Santa Rosa protects certain trees through its Tree Preservation Ordinance. Removing heritage trees or trees over a specified diameter requires a permit. Protected trees include native oaks and other significant species.