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Bishop · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Bishop

Bishop's accessory rules set distances for garages and accessory buildings detached from the main building. A smaller distance applies to buildings far from the front property line that meet fire-resistance and drainage rules.

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Key points

  • Detached buildings: Bishop applies a 6-foot rule to garages and accessory buildings detached from the main building.
  • Smaller setback: A 3-foot rule applies if it is over 50 feet from the front line, 1-hour fire-resistive, and keeps roof drainage on the lot.

Each rule below is marked Bishop 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

Bishop code What Bishop's code adds
Side and rear setback
  • 3 feet from the line. Eaves may project 1 foot into the yard.
    Applies: Detached garages or accessory buildings more than 50 feet from the front property line, with 1-hour fire-resistive construction and roof drainage kept on the lot.
    § 17.28.110 · code text
    The garage or accessory building shall be three feet therefrom, and the eaves of the structure may project one foot into the yard.
Distance from the house
  • At least 6 feet from the main building.
    Applies: Garages or accessory buildings detached from the main building.
    § 17.28.110 · code text
    When a garage or an accessory building is detached from the main building, it shall be located a minimum of six feet therefrom and have a 24-foot turning radius in front of the entrance.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Bishop code What Bishop's code adds
EV charger permit
  • The building official approves an application that meets the city's checklist and issues all needed permits.
    Applies: Installing an electric vehicle charging station.
    § 15.14.040 · code text
    A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the city's adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed.
  • Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted.
    Applies: Electric vehicle charging station permit applications.
    § 15.14.040 · code text
    the building official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentations.
Solar height and setbacks
  • The panel array may not exceed the maximum legal building height.
    Applies: To qualify as a small residential rooftop solar system for expedited review.
    § 15.12.010 · 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
  • Apply in person, by mail or electronically with fees; the building official administratively approves complete, checklist-compliant applications and issues permits.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems of no more than 10 kilowatts on a single-family or duplex dwelling.
    § 15.12.010 · code text
    The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the city's building division by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees.
  • Only one inspection is required.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.
    § 15.12.010 · code text
    For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection by the building official and fire chief.

Swimming pools

Bishop code What Bishop's code adds
Pool barrier
  • No opening in the pool fence may be wider than 9 inches.
    § 17.36.090 · code text
    Swimming pools in all commercial and residential districts shall be fenced with a fence a minimum of five feet in height and with no opening to exceed nine inches in width.
Barrier height
  • Pool fence at least 5 feet high.
    § 17.36.090 · code text
    Swimming pools in all commercial and residential districts shall be fenced with a fence a minimum of five feet in height and with no opening to exceed nine inches in width.
Gates
  • All gates to pool areas must meet the same specifications and be self-closing and latching.
    § 17.36.090 · code text
    All gates to swimming pool areas shall be of the same specifications and self-closing and latching.

Pets, chickens and bees

Bishop code What Bishop's code adds
Bees
  • No, keeping bees is not allowed.
    Applies: Citywide.
    § 6.08.110 · code text
    It is unlawful to keep or harbor any bees in the city, and any beehive used or occupied by bees is a nuisance, and it is unlawful to keep or maintain any such hive in the city.
Coop setback
  • At least 100 feet.
    Applies: Poultry or animal yards: from homes used by anyone except the keeper and family, public ways except alleys, and church or school buildings.
    § 6.08.100 · code text
    It is unlawful to maintain in the city any poultry or animal yard within 100 feet of any building used for residential purposes by anyone other than the one maintaining such poultry or animal yard, or their immediate family, or within 100 feet of any public way, other than an alley, or within 100 feet of any church or school building.

Other Bishop rules on this

Bishop'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 Bishop?

Bishop applies a 6-foot rule to garages and accessory buildings detached from the main building. A 3-foot rule applies if it is over 50 feet from the front line, 1-hour fire-resistive, and keeps roof drainage on the lot.

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

Bishop's code: The building official approves an application that meets the city's checklist and issues all needed permits. (Installing an electric vehicle charging station.) (§ 15.14.040); Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted. (Electric vehicle charging station permit applications.) (§ 15.14.040).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Bishop?

Bishop's code: No opening in the pool fence may be wider than 9 inches. (§ 17.36.090); Pool fence at least 5 feet high. (§ 17.36.090).

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

Bishop's code: No, keeping bees is not allowed. (Citywide.) (§ 6.08.110); At least 100 feet. (Poultry or animal yards: from homes used by anyone except the keeper and family, public ways except alleys, and church or school buildings.) (§ 6.08.100).

General information, not legal advice.

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