Adelanto · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Adelanto

Adelanto's city code sets fence and wall heights by where they stand on the lot, with lower limits in the required front yard. Home businesses need a city permit, and businesses not on the city's list are not allowed unless the city authorizes them.

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Key points

Fence height: Adelanto limits fences to 48 inches in the required front yard and 6 feet elsewhere in residential districts; front-yard retaining walls, 30 inches.
Home business: Adelanto requires a home occupation permit; businesses not on the city's list are not allowed unless the Planning Director or Planning Commission authorizes them.

Each rule below is marked Adelanto code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Fences and walls

Adelanto code What Adelanto's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot	Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: In residential districts, everywhere on the lot except the required front yard, unless this chapter says otherwise. § 17.10.120 · code text In residential districts, the maximum height of all fences, walls, and hedges at all locations, except in the required front yard, is six feet (6'), unless otherwise stated in this Chapter.
Front yard height	Front yard fences can be no more than 48 inches tall. Applies: Applies to solid, open or see-through fences in the required front yard; brick or concrete pilasters are covered by a separate rule. § 17.10.120 · code text Fences, whether solid, open, or transparent, with the exception of subdivision (3) below, shall not exceed forty-eight inches (48") in height. Front yard retaining walls can be at most 30 inches tall. Applies: Retaining walls in the front yard. § 17.10.120 · code text The height of retaining walls in the front yard shall be equal to or less than thirty inches (30"). A front yard wall can be at most 48 inches tall in total. Applies: Total height of any front yard wall, including any retaining part. § 17.10.120 · code text The total height of any wall in a front yard, including a retaining portion, shall be equal to or less than forty-eight inches (48").
Permit	Stepped retaining walls need approval of a Planning Use Permit. Applies: Only when retaining walls are stepped. § 17.10.120 · code text Stepping of retaining walls is permitted subject to approval of a Planning Use Permit, as described in Chapter 17.150.

Running a business from home

Adelanto code What Adelanto's code adds
Permit	A home occupation permit is required. Applies: For a proposed home business similar to the listed uses that meets the performance standards, the Planning Director approves it. § 17.95.020 · code text If the Planning Director concurs with the applicant, the Planning Director shall approve the application and issue the permit.
Businesses not allowed	Any business not on the city's list of permitted home occupations, unless the Planning Director or Planning Commission authorizes it § 17.95.020 · code text Any business or home occupation not specifically described above or subsequently authorized by the Planning Director or Planning Commission shall be prohibited.

RV and boat parking

Adelanto code What Adelanto's code adds
Size limit	Vehicles over 25 feet long may not park on the street. Applies: Applies on any public street or highway in a residential district. Loading or unloading and emergency repairs are exceptions. § 10.22.040 · code text Any motor vehicle over twenty-five (25) feet long measured from the extreme forward point to the extreme rear point, including extensions;
Parking on the street	Up to 24 hours while loading or unloading. Applies: Applies to an oversized recreational vehicle on a public street or highway in a residential district, loading or unloading passengers or property. § 10.22.040 · code text Any oversized recreational motor vehicle, as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 18010 or any amendments thereto, while parked or standing for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or property for a period not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours; Up to 24 consecutive hours to make emergency repairs. Applies: Applies to an oversized vehicle on a public street or highway in a residential district. § 10.22.040 · code text Any oversized motor vehicle which is parked for not more than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours to make emergency repairs to such vehicle; Must be moved within 4 hours, or at once between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Applies: Applies to an oversized vehicle that breaks down on a designated arterial highway. § 10.22.040 · code text otherwise, they may park on the designated arterial highways provided that such vehicles shall be removed within four (4) hours. No more than 8 consecutive hours. Applies: Oversized vehicle in front of a home facing a designated arterial highway with marked legal parking, to load, unload, or give commercial services or repairs. § 10.22.040 · code text an oversized vehicle may park or stand in front of such residential property for not more than eight (8) consecutive hours to load or unload passengers or property or to furnish commercial services or repairs to the premises.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Adelanto code What Adelanto's code adds
EV charger permit	The Building Official approves the application and issues all needed permits when it meets the city's adopted checklist. Applies: The charging station may not be turned on or used until the City grants approval. § 10.40.040 · code text A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the City's adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed. You may submit the permit application electronically. Electronic signatures are accepted. Applies: Applies to electric vehicle charging station permit applications. § 10.40.040 · code text the Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this Ordinance and associate documentation.
Solar permit process	The Building Official administratively approves and issues all required permits within a reasonable time after a complete application. Applies: Applies to a complete small home rooftop solar application that meets the checklist, standard plans and chapter requirements. § 14.38.040 · code text the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations within a reasonable time following receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist, standard plans and this Chapter.

Pets, chickens and bees

Adelanto code What Adelanto's code adds
Large animals	Animals must be kept at least 100 feet from any domestic water well. Applies: Applies to all residential land uses, activities and facilities. § 7.04.095 · code text All residential land uses, activities and facilities shall comply with the requirement that animals shall be kept a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from any domestic water well. Uncastrated stallions or jacks may not be kept within 50 feet of any property line. Applies: Applies to uncastrated stallions or jacks. Livestock is allowed only in the R1-.5 and DL zones. § 7.04.095 · code text It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to stable, pasture or keep, or cause to be stabled, pastured or kept, within fifty feet of any property line, any uncastrated stallions or jacks.
Permit	You must register with the Department of Animal Care & Control. Applies: Applies to anyone who keeps a horse or other equine. § 7.04.095 · code text Each person, firm or corporation who stables, pastures or keeps, or causes or permits the stabling, pasturing or keeping of, any equine in the City shall register with the Department of Animal Care & Control

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Adelanto?

Adelanto limits fences to 48 inches in the required front yard and 6 feet elsewhere in residential districts; front-yard retaining walls, 30 inches.

Can I run a business from my home in Adelanto?

Adelanto requires a home occupation permit; businesses not on the city's list are not allowed unless the Planning Director or Planning Commission authorizes them.

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Adelanto?

Adelanto's code: Vehicles over 25 feet long may not park on the street. (Applies on any public street or highway in a residential district. Loading or unloading and emergency repairs are exceptions.) (§ 10.22.040); Up to 24 hours while loading or unloading. (Applies to an oversized recreational vehicle on a public street or highway in a residential district, loading or unloading passengers or property.) (§ 10.22.040).

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Adelanto?

Adelanto's code: The Building Official approves the application and issues all needed permits when it meets the city's adopted checklist. (The charging station may not be turned on or used until the City grants approval.) (§ 10.40.040); You may submit the permit application electronically. Electronic signatures are accepted. (Applies to electric vehicle charging station permit applications.) (§ 10.40.040).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Adelanto?

Adelanto's code: Animals must be kept at least 100 feet from any domestic water well. (Applies to all residential land uses, activities and facilities.) (§ 7.04.095); Uncastrated stallions or jacks may not be kept within 50 feet of any property line. (Applies to uncastrated stallions or jacks. Livestock is allowed only in the R1-.5 and DL zones.) (§ 7.04.095).

General information, not legal advice.

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