Bolthole Index

Shasta County, California

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Anderson, California

Anderson, California (Shasta County) runs its own planning, zoning and land-use activities inside city limits, and its Building Division issues the building permits.12 Septic is different: where a private sewage-disposal system is used inside Anderson, the city code requires Shasta County Environmental Health approval.3 Rules for unincorporated Shasta County do not apply inside the city, and Anderson's rules stop at its boundary.1

At a glance

Building permit
Issued by the Anderson Building Division; ADUs need only a building permit4
Zoning
City zoning inside city limits, with agriculture, rural estate and residential districts1
Septic
Shasta County Environmental Health approval required3
Accessory dwelling
Ministerial review; building permit and inspection required45
Short-term rental of an ADU
Prohibited for stays under 30 consecutive days6
Camping in public places
Prohibited except designated Anderson River Park RV sites7
Floodplain
Elevation rules apply to new construction in special flood hazard areas8

Who to call

Building permits

City of Anderson Building Division

Building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits, plan checks and inspections inside Anderson city limits

530-378-6636

[email protected]

1887 Howard St, Anderson, CA 96007

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

City of Anderson Planning Department

Zoning and land use permits, subdivisions, use permits, variances and floodplain boundary information inside Anderson city limits

530-378-6626

1887 Howard St, Anderson, CA 96007

Septic permits

Shasta County Environmental Health Division (EHD)

Onsite wastewater treatment system (septic) permits under Shasta County's Local Agency Management Program

(530) 225-5787

1855 Placer Street, Redding, CA 96001

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Anderson means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Anderson, California?

Yes, for building work inside Anderson city limits. The Anderson Building Division issues permits and performs plan checks and inspections for building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work.2

The clearest published path is for accessory dwelling units. The city's ADU guide says an ADU is under ministerial review, so an applicant only needs to apply for a building permit, with an application, fees and plans.4 After the permit is issued, the structure must be inspected for compliance with California Residential Codes, and the City Building Inspector may require concealed construction to be uncovered.5 The city estimates 2-10 business days for the initial plan review and another 2-10 business days after the applicant responds.9

Building permit fees are largely based on the valuation of the project, and new structures over 500 square feet owe school fees before the permit is issued.10

We could not confirm an owner-builder exemption inside Anderson or a general certificate-of-occupancy rule; ask the Building Division.

Who issues building permits in Anderson, and how do you reach them?

The City of Anderson Building Division handles building permits inside the city. Call 530-378-6636 or email [email protected], and apply or request an inspection through the city's online permit portal.2

Zoning and land use permits are a separate office: the Planning Department handles zoning, use permits, variances and subdivisions, and can be reached at 530-378-6626.11

Septic permits do not come from either city office. Shasta County Environmental Health issues them, at (530) 225-5787.12

Because Anderson is a city, the unincorporated-area rules of Shasta County do not apply to parcels inside its limits, so make sure a search result is for the City of Anderson and not the county Building Division in Redding.1

Does Anderson have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. The city coordinates and supervises its own planning, zoning and land-use activities.1 Dimensional rules vary by district.

In the Agriculture (AG) district the minimum lot area is 2 acres and the minimum lot width is 100 feet at the setback line.13 In the R-E-1 rural estate district the minimum lot is 1 acre, and in R-E-2 it is 21,780 square feet, or half an acre.14 In the R-2 medium-density district an interior lot needs at least 6,000 square feet and a corner lot at least 7,000 square feet, with a 15-foot front yard and 5-foot side yard.1516

Manufactured homes that meet Chapter 17.60 of the city code are allowed in the R-2 district.17 The Vineyards at Anderson Specific Plan sets its own minimum home size of 1,530 square feet of enclosed living area in its low-density areas.18

We did not find a general lot-coverage standard or an agricultural-building permit exemption inside the city.

How do septic permits work in Anderson, California?

Septic permits inside Anderson come from the county, not the city. The Anderson city code requires approval by the county environmental health department wherever a private sewage-disposal system is used.3 Shasta County Environmental Health states that a permit is required before a new or replacement septic tank and leach field is installed, and the application must include an accurate site plan, fees and soil test data.12

The city code discusses connecting to the city wastewater system and separate sewer laterals for ADUs, but we did not find a universal rule requiring every new home to connect.19 Ask the Building Division whether a sewer main fronts the parcel before you plan on a septic system.

We could not confirm a general septic inspection rule or well-permit rule inside city limits; Shasta County Environmental Health at (530) 225-5787 is the office to ask.12

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Anderson?

We could not confirm a general rule for living in an RV or a tiny home on private land inside Anderson city limits. The city code addresses public camping and RV parks, not private lots. Ask the Planning Department at 530-378-6626 before you place either on a parcel.11

What the code does state: it is unlawful to camp overnight in any public park except in the Anderson River Park areas the city council designates for recreational vehicle campsites.7

The city allows accessory dwelling units, which may be a more reliable path to a second home on a lot. Anderson does not allow an ADU to be used as a short-term rental of less than 30 consecutive days.6

Building a home in Anderson: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel is inside Anderson city limits and find its zoning district with the Planning Department.11
  2. Check district lot size and setbacks, for example the 2-acre minimum in the AG district.13
  3. If the parcel is in a special flood hazard area, plan the lowest floor at least one foot above base flood elevation in most zones.8
  4. If no city sewer serves the lot, apply to Shasta County Environmental Health with a site plan, fees and soil test data.12
  5. Submit plans and fees to the Building Division through the online permit portal.2
  6. Request inspections as work proceeds; completed work is inspected for compliance with California Residential Codes.5

What to check before you buy land in Anderson, California

Confirm the city limit line first. Shasta County Planning Division and Building Division handle parcels outside the city, and their rules differ from the city's.20

Check the flood map. New construction and substantial improvements in special flood hazard areas inside Anderson must have the lowest floor elevated at least one foot above base flood elevation in zones other than AO and A, and the elevation must be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor.8

If you plan an accessory dwelling, review the city's ADU guide for utility connection charges and the school fee on structures over 500 square feet.1910

Watch-outs

  • Septic approval inside Anderson comes from Shasta County Environmental Health, not the city Building Division.3
  • Most published city permit guidance is written for accessory dwelling units; confirm requirements for a primary home with the Building Division at 530-378-6636.2
  • We could not confirm private-land RV, tiny-home, well-permit or agricultural-exemption rules inside city limits.11

Sources

  1. Anderson Municipal Code Chapter 2.47 (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Anderson Building Division (ci.anderson.ca.us)
  3. Anderson Municipal Code § 17.60.030 (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  4. City of Anderson Accessory Dwelling Unit How-to Permit Guide (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  5. City of Anderson Accessory Dwelling Unit How-to Permit Guide (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  6. Anderson Municipal Code § 17.60.030 (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  7. Anderson Municipal Code § 8.26.010 (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  8. Anderson Municipal Code § 15.22.060 (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  9. City of Anderson Accessory Dwelling Unit How-to Permit Guide (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  10. City of Anderson Accessory Dwelling Unit How-to Permit Guide (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  11. City of Anderson Planning Department (ci.anderson.ca.us)
  12. Shasta County Environmental Health Division (EHD) (shastacounty.gov)
  13. Anderson Municipal Code § 17.16.040 (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  14. Anderson Municipal Code § 17.14.040 (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  15. Anderson Municipal Code § 17.10.040 (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  16. Anderson Municipal Code § 17.10.060 (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  17. Anderson Municipal Code § 17.10.020 (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  18. Anderson Municipal Code § 17.33.040 (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  19. Anderson Municipal Code § 17.60.030 (Anderson), quoted and re-checked
  20. Legend (Internet/Planning_Zoning_Layers), quoted and re-checked

Written October 10, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Anderson

Anderson’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction of an accessory dwelling unit inside Anderson city limits.

    • ADUs are subject to ministerial review.
    • A permit application, applicable fees, and plans are required.
    “This means that, to build an ADU, you only need to apply for a building permit.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted ADU construction and legalization inside Anderson city limits.

    • After permit issuance, the structure must be inspected for compliance with California Residential Codes.
    • The City Building Inspector may require concealed construction to be uncovered.
    “The structure must then be inspected for compliance with California Residential Codes.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Anderson city limits; the city has its own planning and zoning activities.

    “Coordinate and supervise the city's planning, zoning, and land use activities;”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Sleeping or camping in public rights-of-way, public parks, trails, and public facilities inside Anderson city limits.

    • Overnight camping may occur in designated Anderson River Park recreation-vehicle campsites under city-council rules.
    “It is unlawful to camp overnight in any public park except in such areas within the Anderson River Park which are designated by the city council for recreation vehicle camp sites.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes in Anderson R-2 districts.

    • Manufactured homes must meet Chapter 17.60 requirements.
    • Other zoning and building requirements remain applicable.
    “Manufactured homes meeting the requirements of Chapter 17.60 of this title;”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    ADU utility service inside Anderson city limits.

    • The city code discusses connection to the city wastewater system and separate sewer laterals, but the opened sources did not establish a universal distance or availability rule requiring every new home to connect.
    “New or separate utility connections are required, but connection fees or capacity charges shall be proportional to the impact of the ADU on the sewer or water systems.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New construction and substantial improvements in areas of special flood hazard inside Anderson city limits.

    • Residential lowest-floor elevation depends on the flood zone.
    • In AO zones, elevation is one foot above the specified depth number, or at least three feet above highest adjacent grade if no depth is specified.
    • In A zones, the lowest floor must be at least one foot above base flood elevation.
    • In all other zones, it must be one foot above base flood elevation.
    • Elevation must be certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor and verified by the community building inspector.

    minimum elevation above base flood elevation: >= 1 ft (AO and A-zone alternatives stated in the code.)

    “In all other zones, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation;”
  • Short-term rentalsProhibited

    Accessory dwelling units inside Anderson city limits.

    • The prohibition is specific to ADUs; no citywide short-term-rental rule was established for all dwelling types.

    minimum rental period: >= 30 consecutive days (Unless otherwise permitted by the code.)

    “No accessory dwelling unit shall be used as a short-term rental (less than thirty consecutive days).”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    City of Anderson ADU building permits.

    • Fees are largely based on project valuation.
    • Fees may change based on updated plan sets and submittal dates.
    • Water impact fees and Shasta County Office of Education fees are excluded from the estimates.
    • Structures over 500 square feet are subject to school fees, which must be paid before permit issuance.

    school-fee threshold: > 500 sq ft (All new structures over 500 square feet.)

    “Building permit fees with the City of Anderson are largely based on the valuation of the project.”
  • Permit processPartial

    ADU permit process inside Anderson city limits.

    • ADUs receive ministerial review.
    • The applicant submits plans, fees, and an application; plan review may require responses and revised information.
    • The city guide estimates 2–10 business days for initial processing and 2–10 business days after responses.

    initial review period: 2-10 business days · response review period: 2-10 business days

    “When applying for a building permit to construct an ADU, the applicant should expect the Building Division to take 2-10 business days to process the application and review the plans.”

Rules another office applies inside Anderson

Anderson does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Very low-density and low-density single-family areas in the Vineyards at Anderson Specific Plan.

    • Twenty percent of units in any phase may be at least 1,300 square feet instead of 1,530 square feet.

    minimum enclosed living area: >= 1530 sq ft (20% of units in any phase may be a minimum of 1,300 square feet.)

    “Minimum square footage. One thousand five hundred thirty square feet of enclosed living area except that twenty percent of the units in any phase may be a minimum of one thousand three hundred square feet.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Anderson Agriculture (AG) district.

    • Minimum lot width is measured at the setback line.
    • The code separately requires residential-use area and animal-area standards.

    minimum lot width: >= 100 ft (At setback line.) · minimum lot area: >= 2 acres (87,120 square feet.)

    “Minimum lot widths for all lots, one hundred feet setback line. B. Minimum lot area, two acres of eighty-seven thousand one hundred twenty square feet.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — Anderson R-2 medium-density residential district.
      “Minimum interior lot area shall be six thousand square feet; C. Minimum corner lot width shall be seventy feet at the setback line; D. Minimum corner lot area shall be seven thousand square feet;”
    • Specified — Anderson Rural Estate R-E-1 and R-E-2 districts.
      “For lands designated R-E-1, the minimum lot area shall be one acre and the minimum lot width one hundred feet.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Anderson R-2 medium-density residential district.

    • Corner street-side yard is ten feet; accessory-building side and rear rules differ from main buildings.

    front setback: >= 15 ft · side setback: >= 5 ft (Corner street side 10 feet.) · rear setback: >= 20 ft (Accessory buildings may have 1-foot rear setback.)

    “Front Yards: The minimum required front yard shall be fifteen feet;”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Very low-density and low-density residential areas in the Vineyards at Anderson Specific Plan.

    • The quoted limits distinguish two-story homes from accessory buildings.

    two-story home maximum height: <= 35 ft · accessory-building maximum height: <= 30 ft

    “Maximum building height. Thirty-five feet high for two-story homes; thirty feet high for accessory buildings.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Private sewage-disposal systems serving property inside Anderson city limits.

    • The city code requires county environmental-health approval where a private sewage-disposal system is used.
    “Approval by the county environmental health department is required where a private sewage disposal system is being used.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Anderson or Shasta County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Anderson city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Buildings inside Anderson city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Residential lots inside Anderson city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Private-land RV occupancy inside Anderson city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Anderson city limits.
5 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Anderson publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Shasta County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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