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Camarillo · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Camarillo

Camarillo sets fence and wall heights by yard and zone and limits detached accessory buildings in the required rear yard. A home business needs a home occupation permit.

Key points

  • Fence height: City rule: fences are limited to 3 feet in front yards and corner cutback areas, and 6 feet along side and rear lot lines.
  • Accessory buildings: In R-1, detached accessory buildings in the required rear yard are limited to 15 feet tall and 40% of that yard.
  • Home businesses: A home business needs a home occupation permit before the city issues a business tax certificate.

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

Fences and walls

Camarillo code What Camarillo's code adds
Corner visibility
  • No fence or wall over 3 feet tall, and no other visual obstruction.
    Applies: In corner cutback areas of corner lots in the mobilehome park zone.
    § 19.18.130 · code text
    There shall be no fence or wall over three feet in height and no other visual obstruction within corner cutback areas of all corner lots.
  • Landscaping, walls, fences and other obstructions can be at most 3 feet tall.
    Applies: In corner cutback areas of corner lots, unless the director of public works finds the visual clearance adequate.
    § 19.38.020 · code text
    In the corner cutback area of corner lots, the height of mature landscaping without pruning, walls, fences, or other obstructions may not exceed three feet in height unless visual clearance can be shown due to the open type of landscaping proposed and a determination is made by the director of public works as to the adequacy of visual clearance.
  • Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 3 feet tall.
    Applies: In corner cutback areas in the R-1 Single-Family Residential Zone.
    § 19.14.090 · code text
    No fence, wall or hedge shall exceed three feet in height in any corner cutback area described in this chapter.
  • Fences and hedges can be at most 3 feet tall.
    Applies: In required cutoff areas in the RPD Residential Planned Development Zone.
    § 19.16.140 · code text
    No fence or hedge shall exceed three feet in height in any required cutoff area described in this chapter.
Height anywhere on the lot
  • Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Along side or rear lot lines in the R-1 Single-Family Residential Zone.
    § 19.14.090 · code text
    A fence, wall or hedge, not to exceed six feet in height, may be located or maintained along the side or rear lot lines
  • Walls can never be more than 8 feet tall.
    Applies: Where ground levels differ by more than 2 feet within 5 feet, wall height may rise 1 foot per 2 feet of difference.
    § 19.38.020 · code text
    but in no case greater than eight feet.
  • Walls or fences can be up to 8 feet tall.
    Applies: In the mobilehome park zone, on the side next to a primary or secondary arterial, only with director approval and the required findings.
    § 19.18.130 · code text
    may approve an increase in the height of a wall or fence of up to eight feet on that side of any parcel in this zone adjoining a primary arterial or eight feet on that side of any parcel in this zone adjoining a secondary arterial
Side and rear yard height
  • Fences and walls can be at most 6 feet tall.
    Applies: In the RPD Residential Planned Development Zone, along side or rear lot lines, not in the required front yard.
    § 19.16.140 · code text
    A fence or wall not to exceed six feet in height may be required to be located and maintained along the side or rear lot lines
  • Walls and fences can be at most 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Along all side and rear yard lot lines.
    § 19.38.020 · code text
    Wall and fences not exceeding six feet in height shall be permitted along all side and rear yard lot lines.
  • Fences and walls can be at most 3 feet tall.
    Applies: Along side and rear lot lines where access is provided to the rear of a reverse corner lot.
    § 19.38.020 · code text
    If access is provided to the rear of a reverse corner lot, a fence or wall shall be limited to three feet in height.
  • Fences can be at most 3 feet tall.
    Applies: Along side and rear lot lines in a mobilehome park.
    § 19.18.130 · code text
    A maximum three-foot-high fence may be permitted along side and rear lot lines.
  • Fences and walls can be at most 3 feet tall.
    Applies: In the R-1 zone, in the street-side yard of a reverse corner lot where a key lot's access is next to the rear line.
    § 19.14.090 · code text
    where access to a residential key lot is adjacent to the rear property line of a reverse corner lot in which case such fence or wall shall be limited to three feet in height.
  • Fences and walls can be at most 3 feet tall.
    Applies: In the R-E zone, in the street-side yard of a reverse corner lot where a key lot's access is next to the rear line.
    § 19.12.100 · code text
    where access to a key lot is adjacent to the rear property line of a reverse corner lot in which case such fence or wall must be limited to three feet in height.
  • Fences and walls can be at most 3 feet tall.
    Applies: In the RPD Residential Planned Development Zone, in the side yard along the street side of a reverse corner lot.
    § 19.16.140 · code text
    into the side yard along the street side of a reverse corner lot, in which case such fence or wall shall be limited to three feet in height.
Front yard height
  • Walls and fences can be at most 3 feet tall.
    Applies: In any front yard.
    § 19.38.020 · code text
    All walls and fences in any front yard may not exceed three feet in height.
  • No fence or wall is allowed.
    Applies: In the front yard setback in a mobilehome park.
    § 19.18.130 · code text
    No fence or wall shall be permitted within the front yard setback.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Camarillo code What Camarillo's code adds
Maximum height
  • At most 15 feet tall.
    Applies: In the R-1 zone, for detached accessory buildings, including garages, in the required rear yard.
    § 19.14.130 · code text
    Detached accessory buildings, including garages, shall not occupy more than forty percent of the required rear yard provided that such building or buildings are not more than fifteen feet in height.
  • At most 15 feet tall.
    Applies: In the R-E Rural Exclusive Residential Zone, for detached accessory buildings, including garages, in the required rear yard.
    § 19.12.140 · code text
    Detached accessory buildings, including garages, must not occupy more than forty percent of the required rear yard provided that such building or buildings are not more than fifteen feet in height.
Size or lot coverage
  • Can cover no more than 40% of the required rear yard.
    Applies: In the R-1 zone, for detached accessory buildings, including garages, that are no more than 15 feet tall.
    § 19.14.130 · code text
    Detached accessory buildings, including garages, shall not occupy more than forty percent of the required rear yard provided that such building or buildings are not more than fifteen feet in height.
Side and rear setback
  • Can be built to within 3 feet of the interior and rear lot lines.
    Applies: In the R-1 zone, for accessory buildings on the rear one-third of the lot that are not used for living space.
    § 19.14.130 · code text
    Accessory buildings placed on the rear one-third of the lot which are not used for human habitation (e.g. unconditioned space), may be built to within three feet of the interior lot line and the rear lot line
Distance from the house
  • At least 6 feet from the main building.
    Applies: In the R-1 zone, for accessory buildings on the rear one-third of the lot, not used for living space, with no fire wall.
    § 19.14.130 · code text
    and to within six feet from the main building where no fire wall is provided
  • At least 4 feet from the main building.
    Applies: In R-1, for non-living accessory buildings on the rear one-third of the lot, with a fire wall and eaves at least 1 foot apart.
    § 19.14.130 · code text
    or to within four feet of the main building when a fire wall is provided on one wall surface parallel to one another with there being a minimum separation of one foot between the eaves of the main building and the accessory building
  • At least 6 feet from the main building.
    Applies: In the R-E Rural Exclusive Residential Zone, for accessory buildings on the rear one-third of the lot that are not used for living space.
    § 19.12.140 · code text
    Such buildings may be built to within three feet of the interior lot line and the rear lot line and to within six feet from the main building, but on a corner lot the accessory building must comply with the side yard setback required on the street side.

Running a business from home

Camarillo code What Camarillo's code adds
Permit
  • A home occupation permit is required.
    Applies: The permit must be issued before the city issues a business tax certificate for the home business.
    § 5.04.380 · code text
    No business tax certificate shall be issued pursuant to this section until a home occupation permit is issued by the department of planning and community development

Lot splits under SB 9

Camarillo code What Camarillo's code adds
Standards
  • 10-foot-wide easements over the front lot to the rear lot: one for street, utility and fire access, one private access.
    Applies: Urban lot split parcel maps; 10-foot sewer, water or drainage easements over one new lot when applicable.
    § 18.26.020 · code text
    A ten-foot-wide easement must be provided over the front parcel to the rear parcel for access to the public right of way, providing quasi-public services and facilities, maintenance of utilities, and fire department access.
  • The application is reviewed ministerially, with no discretionary review or hearing, if it meets all city and state requirements.
    Applies: Urban lot split parcel map applications that meet this chapter, the city's development requirements and state law.
    § 18.26.020 · code text
    An urban lot split parcel map application will be reviewed ministerially, without discretionary review or a hearing, if it meets all the requirements set forth in this chapter, the development requirements set forth in Section 19.14.180, and state law as set forth in Government Code section 66411.7.
  • No ADUs or JADUs may be built on these lots, and an urban lot split cannot divide them further.
    Applies: Lots created under the state small home lot subdivision law.
    § 19.39.020 · code text
    Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling Units may not be constructed on lots created pursuant to Government Code section 66499.41.

RV and boat parking

Camarillo code What Camarillo's code adds
Where it may be parked
  • An RV storage area approved with a planned development or multifamily use permit, or an enclosed structure meeting zoning rules.
    Applies: RVs, boats and boat trailers in a residential zone.
    § 19.44.035 · code text
    In a recreational vehicle storage area approved as part of a Residential Planned Development permit or as part of a Conditional Use Permit for a multifamily residential development, or in any enclosed structure that conforms to the zoning requirements of the particular zone where located,
  • The side or rear yard of a residential lot.
    Applies: Outside a structure; surface and design rules apply.
    § 19.44.035 · code text
    Outside of a structure in the side yard or rear yard area of a residential zoned lot provided that:
Front-yard parking
  • Front setback only if the side or rear yard is unreachable or too small and it fits in no structure.
    Applies: Body at least 13 feet from the curb face, roughly perpendicular to it; corner lots have rear access unless grades differ 3 feet or more.
    § 19.44.035 · code text
    In the event the side or rear yard is not accessible or is insufficient in size to accommodate a recreational vehicle, boat or boat trailer, it may be parked in the front setback area.
  • Up to 48 hours on the driveway for loading or unloading.
    Applies: It must not hang over the public right-of-way.
    § 19.44.035 · code text
    a recreational vehicle, boat or boat trailer may be parked no more than forty-eight hours on the driveway for loading or unloading purposes provided that it does not overhang the public right-of-way.
Screening and surface
  • Concrete, brick, brick pavers, asphalt, gravel or crushed rock; the director must approve the surface and design.
    Applies: RV, boat or boat trailer parked outdoors in the side or rear yard; surface must support the vehicle and control dust, weeds and erosion.
    § 19.44.035 · code text
    The recreational vehicle, boat or boat trailer is parked on a surface of concrete, brick, brick pavers, asphalt, gravel or crushed rock. All such surfaces and the design are subject to the review and approval by the director.
Living in an RV
  • Not allowed, except overnight sleeping for up to 14 days in any 12-month period.
    Applies: An RV, boat or boat trailer parked in a residential zone.
    § 19.44.035 · code text
    Used for dwelling purposes except for limited overnight sleeping for a maximum of fourteen days in any twelve-month period;

Solar panels and EV chargers

Camarillo code What Camarillo's code adds
EV charger permit
  • Approved, with all permits issued, when the application meets the city checklist, applicable laws and health and safety standards.
    Applies: Installing an electric vehicle charging station.
    § 16.55.030 · code text
    If deemed complete, the permit application will be promptly processed. Upon confirmation by the building official that the permit application and supporting documents meets the requirements of the city adopted checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the building official will approve the application and issue all necessary permits.
  • You can apply electronically.
    Applies: Permit applications for electric vehicle charging stations.
    § 16.55.030 · code text
    The building official will allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documents.
Solar permit process
  • You can apply electronically by email or online.
    Applies: Permits for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.
    § 16.54.050 · code text
    Applicants for small residential rooftop solar energy system permits may make electronic submittals of the required permit application and documents by email and the Internet.
Review time
  • The permit is issued the same day.
    Applies: Complete over-the-counter applications for small residential rooftop solar systems that meet the approved city checklist and standard plan.
    § 16.54.060 · code text
    The building and safety department will issue a building permit or other ministerial permit the same day for over-the-counter applications or within 1—3 business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved city checklist and standard plan.
  • The permit is issued within 1 to 3 business days.
    Applies: Complete electronic applications for small residential rooftop solar systems that meet the approved city checklist and standard plan.
    § 16.54.060 · code text
    The building and safety department will issue a building permit or other ministerial permit the same day for over-the-counter applications or within 1—3 business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved city checklist and standard plan.

Swimming pools

Camarillo code What Camarillo's code adds
Equipment and alarms
  • Outdoor pool and spa equipment needs a solid wall or fence enclosure to reduce noise; design needs planning director approval.
    § 19.36.150 · code text
    Outdoor pool and spa equipment shall be enclosed with a solid wall or fence to reduce the sound level, the design of which is to be approved by the director of planning and community development or his designee.
Setback from property lines
  • At least 3 feet from any property line or building line.
    Applies: Outdoor pools, in-ground spas and their equipment; pools are allowed only in side or rear yards.
    § 19.36.150 · code text
    All types of outdoor swimming pools, in-ground spas, and the equipment for such must be located at least three feet from any property line or building line.
  • The pool's water edge must be at least 5 feet from any property or building line.
    Applies: Private pools in the R-E Rural Exclusive Residential zone.
    § 19.12.150 · code text
    Private swimming pools must have its water perimeter not closer than five feet to any property or building line.
  • Pool equipment pits must be at least 2 feet from any property line.
    Applies: Applies in the R-E Rural Exclusive Residential zone.
    § 19.12.150 · code text
    Swimming pool equipment pits must not be located closer than two feet to any property line nor within any public utility easement without the expressed consent of that utility company.
  • An equipment pit's access opening must be at least 5 feet from any property line.
    Applies: Applies in the R-E Rural Exclusive Residential zone.
    § 19.12.150 · code text
    Any access opening to the pit must not be closer than five feet to any property line.

Pets, chickens and bees

Camarillo code What Camarillo's code adds
Pet limit
  • No more than 2 dogs and 2 cats over 4 months old per lot.
    Applies: Lots in the mobilehome park development zone.
    § 19.18.290 · code text
    Not more than two dogs and two cats over the age of four months and ten small birds, four medium birds, and two large birds, with a maximum of ten birds may be kept on any lot.
  • Up to 10 small, 4 medium and 2 large birds, with a maximum of 10 birds per lot.
    Applies: Lots in the mobilehome park development zone.
    § 19.18.290 · code text
    Not more than two dogs and two cats over the age of four months and ten small birds, four medium birds, and two large birds, with a maximum of ten birds may be kept on any lot.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Camarillo?

City rule: fences are limited to 3 feet in front yards and corner cutback areas, and 6 feet along side and rear lot lines.

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

In R-1, detached accessory buildings in the required rear yard are limited to 15 feet tall and 40% of that yard.

Can I run a business from my home in Camarillo?

A home business needs a home occupation permit before the city issues a business tax certificate.

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Camarillo?

Camarillo's code: 10-foot-wide easements over the front lot to the rear lot: one for street, utility and fire access, one private access. (Urban lot split parcel maps; 10-foot sewer, water or drainage easements over one new lot when applicable.) (§ 18.26.020); The application is reviewed ministerially, with no discretionary review or hearing, if it meets all city and state requirements. (Urban lot split parcel map applications that meet this chapter, the city's development requirements and state law.) (§ 18.26.020).

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

Camarillo's code: An RV storage area approved with a planned development or multifamily use permit, or an enclosed structure meeting zoning rules. (RVs, boats and boat trailers in a residential zone.) (§ 19.44.035); The side or rear yard of a residential lot. (Outside a structure; surface and design rules apply.) (§ 19.44.035).

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

Camarillo's code: Approved, with all permits issued, when the application meets the city checklist, applicable laws and health and safety standards. (Installing an electric vehicle charging station.) (§ 16.55.030); You can apply electronically. (Permit applications for electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 16.55.030).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Camarillo?

Camarillo's code: Outdoor pool and spa equipment needs a solid wall or fence enclosure to reduce noise; design needs planning director approval. (§ 19.36.150); At least 3 feet from any property line or building line. (Outdoor pools, in-ground spas and their equipment; pools are allowed only in side or rear yards.) (§ 19.36.150).

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

Camarillo's code: No more than 2 dogs and 2 cats over 4 months old per lot. (Lots in the mobilehome park development zone.) (§ 19.18.290); Up to 10 small, 4 medium and 2 large birds, with a maximum of 10 birds per lot. (Lots in the mobilehome park development zone.) (§ 19.18.290).

General information, not legal advice.

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