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Building on your lot in Bell

Bell's city rules for accessory structures apply to lots in the R-3 zone. They set a height limit and say how close detached accessory buildings may be to lot lines and alleys.

Key points

  • Height: In the R-3 zone, Bell limits accessory buildings and structures to 15 feet, except accessory dwelling units.
  • Placement: Detached accessory buildings on R-3 lots may sit next to the rear lot line, or 5 feet from it where it abuts an alley.

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

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Bell code What Bell's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 15 feet high.
    Applies: Accessory buildings or structures on lots in the R-3 zone. Accessory dwelling units follow separate height rules.
    § 17.24.050 · code text
    No accessory building or structure shall be constructed or located upon any lot classified in the R-3 zone having a height in excess of 15 feet, except that the height of accessory dwelling units shall be subject to Section 17.54.050(E).
Side and rear setback
  • May abut the rear and one side lot line. At least 5 feet from a rear public alley.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on R-3 interior lots.
    § 17.24.050 · code text
    A detached accessory building or structure may be located adjacent to the rear lot line and one side lot line of an R-3 zoned interior lot, except when the rear lot line of the lot abuts a public alley, in which case a minimum distance of five feet shall be observed between the rear lot line of the lot and such an accessory building.
  • May abut the rear and interior side lot lines. At least 5 feet from a rear public alley.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on R-3 corner or reversed corner lots.
    § 17.24.050 · code text
    Detached accessory building may be located adjacent to the rear lot line and the interior side lot line of a corner or reversed corner R-3 zoned lot, except when the rear lot line abuts a public alley, then a minimum distance of five feet shall be observed between the rear lot line of the lot and such an accessory building.
  • At least 5 feet.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings or structures on the street side of an R-3 corner or reversed corner lot.
    § 17.24.050 · code text
    Detached accessory buildings or structures located on the street side of a corner or reversed corner lot shall maintain a setback of five feet.
  • At least 3 feet from the property line.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on R-3 interior lots, when the wall nearest the property line has a door or window.
    § 17.24.050 · code text
    Detached accessory structures or buildings constructed with walls (e.g., garages, storage rooms), located upon any lot, whereupon the wall nearest to the property line contains an opening such as a door or window, shall be located a minimum of three feet away from the property line on interior lots, five feet on the street side of corner or reversed corner lots, and five feet on lots abutting an alley.
  • At least 5 feet from the property line.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on the street side of R-3 corner or reversed corner lots, when the nearest wall has a door or window.
    § 17.24.050 · code text
    Detached accessory structures or buildings constructed with walls (e.g., garages, storage rooms), located upon any lot, whereupon the wall nearest to the property line contains an opening such as a door or window, shall be located a minimum of three feet away from the property line on interior lots, five feet on the street side of corner or reversed corner lots, and five feet on lots abutting an alley.
  • At least 5 feet from the property line.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings on R-3 lots next to an alley, when the wall nearest the property line has a door or window.
    § 17.24.050 · code text
    Detached accessory structures or buildings constructed with walls (e.g., garages, storage rooms), located upon any lot, whereupon the wall nearest to the property line contains an opening such as a door or window, shall be located a minimum of three feet away from the property line on interior lots, five feet on the street side of corner or reversed corner lots, and five feet on lots abutting an alley.

RV and boat parking

Bell code What Bell's code adds
Parking on the street
  • Only while hitched to a vehicle that can move it normally on the street.
    Applies: Applies to trailers, semitrailers and trailer coaches parked on a city street.
    § 10.28.210 · code text
    No person shall park or leave standing any trailer, semitrailer or trailer coach on any city street unless the same is attached to a vehicle capable of moving the trailer, semitrailer or trailer coach in a normal manner upon the street.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Bell code What Bell's code adds
EV charger permit
  • Fast administrative review; electronic filing and signatures accepted; permits issue when the application meets the checklist and applicable laws.
    Applies: Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.
    § 15.40.030 · code text
    Upon confirmation by the building official that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the city checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws, the building official shall approve the application and issue all necessary permits.
  • The permit is issued within 2 weeks.
    Applies: Applies to EV charging station applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan.
    § 17.76.120 · code text
    An application for an electric vehicle charging station that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the building division shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit within two weeks.
Solar height and setbacks
  • Panels may not exceed the maximum legal building height.
    Applies: Required to qualify as a small rooftop home solar system for fast permitting.
    § 15.16.010 · code text
    A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the authority having jurisdiction.
Solar permit process
  • Administrative, nondiscretionary review; one inspection; apply by e-mail, city website or fax; electronic signatures accepted.
    Applies: Applies to small rooftop home solar systems.
    § 15.16.010 · code text
    Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents via e-mail, the city's website, or facsimile shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
Review time
  • Within 3 business days.
    Applies: Applies to small rooftop home solar applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan; the building department issues the permit.
    § 15.16.010 · code text
    The building department shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite the approval of small residential rooftop solar energy system applications within 30 days of adoption of the ordinance codified in this section.

Swimming pools

Bell code What Bell's code adds
Pool barrier
  • Openings no larger than 2½ inches in any direction.
    Applies: Applies to wire fences.
    § 8.44.030 · code text
    The aggregate of individual openings in the fence shall not scale more than two and one-half inches when measured in any direction, gate and doors excepted.
  • Mesh of at least 11-gauge galvanized steel wire.
    Applies: Applies to wire fences.
    § 8.44.030 · code text
    Wire fences shall be constructed of mesh not less than 11 gauge galvanized steel wire supported on one and one-fourth inch diameter galvanized pipe, spaced not over 10 feet on centers.
  • Galvanized pipe supports one and one-fourth inch in diameter, spaced no more than 10 feet on centers
    Applies: Wire fences
    § 8.44.030 · code text
    Wire fences shall be constructed of mesh not less than 11 gauge galvanized steel wire supported on one and one-fourth inch diameter galvanized pipe, spaced not over 10 feet on centers.
  • Posts at least 12 inches in diameter and 18 inches deep.
    Applies: Applies to wire fences.
    § 8.44.030 · code text
    Posts shall be imbedded at least 12 inches in diameter and 18 inches in depth.
  • Posts at least 3 by 3 inches, at most 10 feet on center, set 18+ inches into the ground.
    Applies: Applies to wood fences.
    § 8.44.020 · code text
    Wood fences shall have posts not less than three inches by three inches, spaced not over 10 feet on centers, and imbedded at least 18 inches into the ground.
  • Boards at least ½ inch thick, fastened securely to at least 2 rails of at least 2 by 3 inches.
    Applies: Applies to wood fences.
    § 8.44.020 · code text
    Fencing shall be at least one-half inch in thickness and fastened securely to at least two rails not less than two inches by three inches in cross section.
Barrier height
  • At least 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Applies to the fence or wall around the pool or the whole lot, for any pool or body of water 2 feet deep or more.
    § 8.44.010 · code text
    a fence, wall, or other structure not less than six feet in height with no opening therein, except door or gates constructed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Gates
  • Self-closing, self-latching devices at least 4 feet above grade; gates and doors stay closed when not in use.
    § 8.44.070 · code text
    All gates or doors opening through the fence or structure protecting a swimming pool as required by this chapter, shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices not less than four feet above grade capable of keeping such gate or door securely closed at all times when not in actual use.
  • Doors and gates must fully fill the opening and stay closed and latched when the pool is not in use.
    § 8.44.070 · code text
    All doors or gates shall be of such size as to completely fill any opening in the fence or wall. The owner or person in possession of the premises on which such swimming pool exists shall keep such doors and gates closed and securely latched at all times when such swimming pool is not in use.

Other Bell rules on this

Bell's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Bell?

In the R-3 zone, Bell limits accessory buildings and structures to 15 feet, except accessory dwelling units. Detached accessory buildings on R-3 lots may sit next to the rear lot line, or 5 feet from it where it abuts an alley.

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

Bell's code: Only while hitched to a vehicle that can move it normally on the street. (Applies to trailers, semitrailers and trailer coaches parked on a city street.) (§ 10.28.210).

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

Bell's code: Fast administrative review; electronic filing and signatures accepted; permits issue when the application meets the checklist and applicable laws. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 15.40.030); The permit is issued within 2 weeks. (Applies to EV charging station applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan.) (§ 17.76.120).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Bell?

Bell's code: Openings no larger than 2½ inches in any direction. (Applies to wire fences.) (§ 8.44.030); Mesh of at least 11-gauge galvanized steel wire. (Applies to wire fences.) (§ 8.44.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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