California City · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in California City

California City sets fence heights by yard and lot type and sets accessory structure limits by zoning district. New fences and changes to fences need a building permit, and the city has its own section on home-based businesses.

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Key points

Fence height: Fences are limited to 4 feet in front yards (3 feet on corner lots) and 6 feet in residential rear or side yards.
Accessory structures: City rule: accessory structures have a 17.5-foot limit in all districts except RM1 and RM2, where the limit is 15 feet.
Home businesses: California City regulates home-based businesses in Section 9-2.303 of its code.

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

Fences and walls

California City code Fences are limited to 4 feet in front yards (3 feet on corner lots) and 6 feet in residential rear or side yards.

All 5 California City rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

California City code City rule: accessory structures have a 17.5-foot limit in all districts except RM1 and RM2, where the limit is 15 feet.

All 3 California City rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

RV and boat parking

California City code What California City's code adds
Parking on the street	Not allowed unless the trailer is attached to a vehicle that can tow it. Applies: Trailers and semi-trailers on a street, alley or other public place; except while being loaded or unloaded. § 4-2.418 · code text A person shall not park a trailer or semi-trailer, regardless of weight upon a highway, street, alley, public way or public place unless the trailer or semi-trailer is attached to a vehicle capable of moving the trailer or semi-trailer in a normal manner upon the highway, street, alley, or public way or public place.

Solar panels and EV chargers

California City code What California City's code adds
Solar permit process	Administrative, nondiscretionary review; building permit issued when the application meets the approved checklist and standard plan; only 1 inspection. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 8-12.06 · code text For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the Building Department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit the same day for over-the-counter applications or within 3 business days for electronically filed applications. You can apply electronically by email. Electronic signatures are accepted. Applies: Applies to permit applicants for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 8-12.05 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents via email shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
Review time	The permit is issued the same day. Applies: Over-the-counter applications for small residential rooftop solar systems that meet the approved checklist and standard plan. § 8-12.06 · code text the Building Department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit the same day for over-the-counter applications The permit is issued within 3 business days. Applies: Electronically filed applications for small residential rooftop solar systems that meet the approved checklist and standard plan. § 8-12.06 · code text or within 3 business days for electronically filed applications.

Swimming pools

California City code The barrier can have no openings large enough for a child to get through. Doors and gates must completely fill any opening in the fence, wall or other structure.

All 8 California City rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

California City code What California City's code adds
Floodplain permit	You need a development permit before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. § 8-11.05 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in this chapter.
Building in a floodway	No new development or fill is allowed unless all development together raises the base flood no more than 1 foot. Applies: Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, in zones A1-30 and AE. § 8-11.13 · code text Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within zones A1—30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one (1) foot at any point within the City of California City. Fill, new buildings and other development are not allowed unless a civil engineer certifies no rise in flood levels. Applies: Within an adopted regulatory floodway. § 8-11.13 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the City shall prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development, unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating that the proposed encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones. § 8-11.09 · code text In AE, AH, A1—30 zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the highest nearby ground. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone when the FIRM shows no depth number. § 8-11.09 · code text elevated at least two (2) ft. above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone, where the FIRM shows no base flood elevation. § 8-11.09 · code text In an A zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM [unnumbered A zone], elevated to or above the base flood elevation; as determined under this chapter.

Noise and construction hours

California City code The outdoor noise limit is 45 dB(A). The outdoor noise limit is 50 dB(A).

All 5 California City rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
Zoning	A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)
Business license or fee	A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)
Local rules	Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)
Small home	Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)
Large home	7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)

Signs on homes

California City code Up to 2 square feet. Up to 2 square feet.

All 3 California City rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

California City code Containers may not remain in a public place later than 6:00 a.m. on the day after collection. Containers may not be placed in a public place earlier than 6:00 a.m. on the day before collection.

All 4 California City rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →

Other California City rules on this

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

Home-based businesses (Sec. 9-2.303)
Farm animal overlay zone (§ 9-2.2407) — farm animal overlay areas only

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in California City?

California City regulates home-based businesses in Section 9-2.303 of its code. California City also has a related rule: Home-based businesses (Sec. 9-2.303).

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

California City's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary review; building permit issued when the application meets the approved checklist and standard plan; only 1 inspection. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 8-12.06); You can apply electronically by email. Electronic signatures are accepted. (Applies to permit applicants for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 8-12.05).

What are the rules for building in a California City flood zone?

California City's code: You need a development permit before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (§ 8-11.05); The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 8-11.09).

Can I run a family child care home in California City?

California law sets this for every city, including California City: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).

General information, not legal advice.

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