Bolthole Index

Placer County, California

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Colfax, California

The City of Colfax, in Placer County, California, adopts its own zoning (Title 17) and enforces building codes inside city limits12. Septic permits and well permits for Colfax parcels come from Placer County, not the city34. Camping on private property is limited to one consecutive night with owner consent, so plan a proper temporary-occupancy permit rather than parking an RV5.

At a glance

Zoning
City of Colfax zoning (Title 17) inside city limits1
Building permit
City Building Department; city enforces adopted building, plumbing, electrical and energy codes2
Septic
Placer County Environmental Health, where public sewer is unavailable36
Wells
Placer County well permit, applied for by a licensed C-57 driller4
RV living
Temporary occupancy permits only; overnight camping limited to one night75
Accessory dwellings
Allowed with a city ADU permit in zones permitting homes8
Manufactured homes
Permit required; only HSC-defined manufactured homes allowed9

Who to call

Building permits

City of Colfax Building Department

Building permits, code enforcement and the building permit application inside Colfax city limits; zoning questions start at City Hall

530-346-2313

Septic permits

Placer County Environmental Health — Septic Systems

Septic construction permits and site evaluations for parcels in Placer County, including inside Colfax where public sewer is unavailable

530-886-1870

11434 B Ave., Auburn, CA 95603

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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

Yes. Colfax has its own zoning code, Title 17, which the City of Colfax administers for land inside city limits1. Rules differ by district, so check your parcel's zone before you plan anything.

In the single-family R-1 districts, minimum parcel area runs from 5,000 square feet in R-1-5 to 40,000 square feet in R-1-40, with R-1-10, R-1-15 and R-1-20 in between10. Front setbacks are 20 feet in R-1-5 and 30 feet in R-1-20 and R-1-4011. The R-MHS district has a separate 10-acre minimum site area10.

Height in R-1 and R-M-1 tops out at 30 feet or two and a half stories12. Colfax is a small city, so these are in-town lots, not acreage.

Do you need a building permit in Colfax, and who issues it?

The City of Colfax enforces building, accessibility, energy, mechanical, plumbing and electrical codes inside city limits, and its Building page takes permit applications by email213. Placer County Building Services covers unincorporated land only; inside Colfax, go to the city.

Colfax's code states that a permit is required to build and install manufactured buildings on private property14. The city's application says fees are based on construction valuation and lists permit, plan-check and state fees, with amounts filled in by city staff15.

We could not confirm the city's inspection steps, certificate-of-occupancy rules or the full owner-builder conditions; ask City Hall at 530-346-231313.

How do septic permits and wells work inside Colfax?

Septic permits for parcels inside Colfax come from Placer County Environmental Health, not the city3. A new home where public sewer is not available needs a septic system, a septic construction permit and, if the parcel lacks a soils report, soils testing6. Call the county septic office at 530-886-187016.

Where municipal sewer is available, it is a separate city-administered system, so ask the city first whether your lot can connect3.

Well permits are issued by Placer County and must be applied for by a licensed C-57 well driller; site plans show contamination features and property lines within 150 feet4. Placer County soils rate poorly for conventional drain fields (only 0.7% rated not limited), so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system17.

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home in Colfax?

Not casually. Colfax makes camping on private property unlawful except overnight stays with owner consent, limited to one consecutive night5. The city code does provide temporary permits for a trailer or recreational vehicle tied to a related building permit, with a deposit refunded when the vehicle leaves by permit expiration7.

We could not confirm any separate rule for tiny homes in Colfax; ask City Hall before buying one13.

Manufactured homes need a permit, and only homes meeting Health and Safety Code definitions are allowed9. Accessory dwelling units are allowed in zones where homes are permitted, with a city ADU permit, and must not be rented for under 30 days818.

Building a home in Colfax: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm your parcel is inside city limits and find its zoning district with City Hall at 530-346-231313.
  2. Check lot size, setbacks and height for that district1011.
  3. If public sewer is unavailable, order soils testing and apply to Placer County for a septic construction permit6.
  4. If you need a well, hire a licensed C-57 driller to apply for the permit4.
  5. Submit the city's building permit application and pay fees based on construction valuation15.

What stays with Placer County, and what to check before you buy

Septic and well permits stay with Placer County even inside Colfax34. For land outside city limits, see the Placer County page; the city's rules here do not apply there.

Placer County's effective property tax rate is 0.9%19, and a typical home is valued around $695,00020. Confirm with City Hall how driveway and encroachment access works for your lot, since we could not confirm the full rule13.

Watch-outs

  • Colfax's temporary-occupancy permits for RVs are tied to a building permit and a deposit, so living in an RV while you build needs city approval first7.
  • Septic permits come from Placer County at 530-886-1870, not the city, even for a parcel inside Colfax316.
  • We could not confirm the city's owner-builder conditions, certificate-of-occupancy rules or agricultural-building rules; ask City Hall at 530-346-231313.

Sources

  1. 17.72.030 - Residential zone general development standards (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  2. Building - City of Colfax (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  3. Environmental Health - Placer County (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  4. Drilling a Water Well - Placer County (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  5. 8.24.030 - Unlawful camping (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  6. Septic Systems - Placer County (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  7. 15.16.120 - Application or refund of deposit (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  8. 17.196.030 - Application for accessory dwelling unit permit (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  9. 15.16.010 - Permit required (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  10. 17.72.030 - Residential zone general development standards (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  11. library.municode.com (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  12. 17.72.030 - Residential zone general development standards (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  13. City of Colfax Building Department (colfax-ca.gov)
  14. 15.16.010 - Permit required (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  15. Building Permit Application (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  16. Placer County Environmental Health — Septic Systems (placer.ca.gov)
  17. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  18. 17.196.050 - Accessory dwelling units—Permitted regardless of compliance with other development standards and regulations (Colfax), quoted and re-checked
  19. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

Written October 16, 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 Colfax

Colfax’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction and installation of manufactured buildings on private property in Colfax.

    • Only manufactured homes defined in HSC Section 18007 and Commercial Modular defined in HSC Section 18001.8 are allowed under the cited section.
    “A permit shall be required for the construction and installation of all manufactured buildings on private property.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building, accessibility, energy, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical regulation inside Colfax city limits.

    • The City page describes enforcement of codes and laws adopted by both the City and State.
    “By enforcing applicable building, accessibility, energy, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical codes and laws adopted by the City and State, we are supporting a safe and livable community for our residents and business owners.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Colfax city limits.

    • Title 17 zoning provisions are municipal regulations administered by the City of Colfax.
    “permitted uses and associated structures shall comply with the following development standards, in addition to any other applicable requirements of this title:”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family residential R-1 districts inside Colfax city limits, including R-1-5, R-1-10, R-1-15, R-1-20, and R-1-40.

    • The cited table distinguishes minimum parcel area by R-1 district.
    • The R-MHS district has a separate minimum site area of 10 acres.

    R-1-5 minimum parcel area: 5000 square feet · R-1-10 minimum parcel area: 10000 square feet · R-1-15 minimum parcel area: 15000 square feet · R-1-20 minimum parcel area: 20000 square feet · R-1-40 minimum parcel area: 40000 square feet

    “minimum parcel area r-1-5 5,000 sq. ft. 4,500 sq. ft. 2,000 sq. ft. 3,000 sq. ft. r-1-10 10,000 sq. ft. r-1-15 15,000 sq. ft. r-1-20 20,000 sq. ft. r-1-40 40,000 sq. ft.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family R-1 districts inside Colfax city limits.

    • Front, side, and rear setbacks vary by R-1 district.
    • The code contains measurement and projection exceptions.

    R-1-5 front setback: 20 feet · R-1-5 side setback: 6 feet · R-1-5 rear setback: 20 feet · R-1-20 front setback: 30 feet · R-1-40 front setback: 30 feet

    “minimum front (4) r-1-5 20 ft. 10 percent of the parcel depth but no more than 10 ft. 10 ft. extending the entire width of the mobilehome space (5) r-1-10 20 ft. r-1-15 20 ft. r-1-20 30 ft. r-1-40 30 ft.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Residential districts inside Colfax city limits.

    • R-1 and R-M-1 have a maximum of 2½ stories or 30 feet; R-M-2 has a maximum of 30 feet.
    • Architectural or mechanical appurtenances may exceed the zone height by up to 15 percent.

    R-1 maximum height: 2.5 stories or 30 feet · R-M-1 maximum height: 2.5 stories or 30 feet · R-M-2 maximum height: 30 feet · architectural/mechanical appurtenance allowance: 15 percent

    “chimneys, vents, and other architectural or mechanical appurtenances on buildings may be a maximum of fifteen (15) percent higher than the height limit of the applicable zone.”
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Occupancy of recreational vehicles, trailers, and similar moveable vehicles inside Colfax city limits.

    • The cited provision concerns temporary occupancy permits.
    • The deposit or bond is governed by Section 15.16.100(B)(5).
    • The vehicle must be removed by permit expiration or within 30 days after suspension or revocation, whichever is sooner.

    removal deadline after suspension or revocation: 30 days (or permit expiration, whichever date is sooner)

    “the deposit or bond required by section 15.16.100 (b)(5) of this chapter shall be refunded upon the removal of the mobilehome, trailer or recreational vehicle from the site for which a temporary permit has been issued on or before the date of the expiration of the permit or within thirty (30) days from the suspension or revocation of the permit or the related building permit, whichever date is sooner.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Camping on public or private property inside Colfax city limits.

    • Overnight camping on private residential property is allowed only with owner consent and for no more than one consecutive night.
    • The City Manager may issue a temporary permit for camping connected with a special event.
    • Ordinary lawful residential or other authorized uses are not prohibited by the chapter.

    consented overnight camping limit: 1 consecutive night (private residential property with owner consent)

    “it is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to camp, occupy camp facilities, or use camp paraphernalia in the following areas: (1) any public property; or (2) any private property.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes on private property inside Colfax city limits.

    • A permit is required for construction and installation.
    • Only manufactured homes defined in HSC Section 18007 and Commercial Modular defined in HSC Section 18001.8 are allowed.
    “Only manufactured homes as defined in the Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 18007 and Commercial Modular as defined in HSC § 18001.8 will be allowed.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwelling units in Colfax zones where single-family or multi-family residential units are permitted.

    • Owner must obtain an accessory dwelling unit permit from City staff.
    • Qualifying applications are approved ministerially by the city planner without a public hearing.
    • Other standards and exceptions apply under Sections 17.196.040 through 17.196.070.
    “Accessory dwelling units are permitted in all zones within the City where single-family or multi-family residential units are permitted, subject to the owner first obtaining an accessory dwelling unit permit from City staff.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units inside Colfax city limits.

    • Accessory dwelling units approved under Section 17.196.050 shall not be rented for a term of less than 30 days.
    • This claim is limited to ADUs and does not resolve all short-term-rental rules for other lodging uses.

    minimum rental term for covered ADUs: >= 30 days

    “Accessory dwelling units approved under this Section 17.196.050 shall not be rented for a term of less than thirty (30) days.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    City building permit applications inside Colfax city limits.

    • The application states that required fees are based on construction valuation.
    • The form lists county facility, permit, plan-check, green, construction, administration, and state SMIP fees, with amounts completed by City staff.
    “required building department fees (based on construction valuation) construction valuation $ county facility fee $ permit fee $ plan check fee $ green fee $ construction 1% $ administration fee $ smip state fee $ total fees paid at submittal $ total fees due at issuance $”

Rules another office applies inside Colfax

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

  • Who permits septicCounty

    On-site wastewater permitting and inspections for parcels inside Colfax city limits where county Environmental Health is the administering body.

    • The City building application lists Placer County Health Department among required approvals.
    • Municipal sewer service, where available, is a separate City-administered system.
    “pcwa sewer / waste water environmental utilities department placer county health department”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New homes inside Colfax city limits where public sewer is not available.

    • Soils testing is required if the parcel lacks a soils testing report.
    • A septic construction permit and required application documents are required.
    • The rule applies only where public sewer is unavailable.
    “If you are interested in building a home in an area where public sewer is not available, you will be required to install a septic system for on-site sewage disposal.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Water wells proposed inside Colfax city limits.

    • Applications must be made by a licensed C-57 well driller.
    • The permit must be on site during drilling.
    • Site plans must show potential contamination features and property lines within 150 feet.

    site-plan radius: 150 feet (potential contamination features and property lines)

    “Well Permits must be applied for by a licensed well driller with a C-57 license.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders seeking building permits inside Colfax city limits.
  • Inspections — Building construction inside Colfax city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Buildings inside Colfax city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Colfax city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Colfax city limits.
5 more unanswered
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain

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 Colfax publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Placer County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Placer County: county rules, score and offices