Ceres · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Ceres

Ceres sets fence heights by yard and fence type, limits accessory structures in the R-1 zone, and limits home businesses. A fence in a public right-of-way in a residential zone needs an encroachment permit.

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Key points

Fence height: City rule: in front and street-side setbacks, solid fences are limited to 3 feet and see-through ones to 4 feet; outside them, 7 feet.
Accessory structures: In the R-1 zone, accessory structures are limited to one story or 15 feet, whichever is less.
Home businesses: A home business needs a permit and may use one room or 20% of the main floor, whichever is greater, but not the garage.

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

Fences and walls

Ceres code What Ceres's code adds
Corner visibility	Fences, hedges, walls and landscaping can be at most 3 feet tall above the curb or nearest pavement. Applies: In the clear vision triangle in any zone, formed by a line between points 25 feet from the intersecting street lines. § 18.27.020 · code text Fences, hedges, and walls and other ornamental landscaping located within the clear vision triangle in any zone shall not exceed three feet in height above the top of curb or top of the nearest pavement surface where there is no curb within the triangle formed by a line drawn between points 25 feet from the intersecting street lines.
Front yard height	Solid fences can be at most 3 feet tall. Applies: In front and street-side yard setbacks, except as the C-3, M-1 and M-2 zone rules provide. § 18.27.030 · code text No fence shall exceed three feet in height for solid fencing, or four feet in height for wrought iron, chain-link or picket fencing that is see-through, except as specified in the provisions set forth in the C-3, M-1, and M-2 zoning districts. See-through fences (wrought iron, chain-link or picket) can be at most 4 feet tall. Applies: In front and street-side yard setbacks, except as the C-3, M-1 and M-2 zone rules provide. § 18.27.030 · code text No fence shall exceed three feet in height for solid fencing, or four feet in height for wrought iron, chain-link or picket fencing that is see-through, except as specified in the provisions set forth in the C-3, M-1, and M-2 zoning districts.
Side and rear yard height	Fences can be at most 7 feet tall. Applies: Outside front and street-side setbacks. At most 8 feet from the neighbor's lowest grade, unless neighbors are notified and the Planning Commission approves. § 18.27.030 · code text No fence shall exceed seven feet in height from the highest elevation from the ground as long as the overall height of the fence does not exceed eight feet measured from the lowest elevation on the neighboring property immediately adjacent to the fence, unless notification is given to the adjacent property owners and approval is granted by the Planning Commission.
Permit	Yes. An encroachment permit from the city is required before placing the fence. Applies: For fences in public rights-of-way in residential zones. § 18.27.030 · code text Fences may be permitted within public rights way, in residential zones but prior to placement, an owner shall obtain the necessary encroachment permit from the City.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Ceres code What Ceres's code adds
Maximum height	At most 1 story or 15 feet tall, whichever is less. Applies: In the R-1 zone. § 18.08.060 · code text No accessory building erected shall have a height greater than one story or 15 feet, whichever is less.
Size or lot coverage	An extra 10% of lot coverage is allowed for accessory structures. Applies: On single-family lots in the R-1 zone when the house footprint has reached the 40% coverage maximum. § 18.08.060 · code text Additional ten percent allowable lot coverage is provided for accessory structures proposed on single-family lots when the dwelling footprint has reached the 40 percent maximum.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from the interior side line. Applies: For detached accessory structures in the rear half of an R-1 lot, unless built with fire-resistive walls. § 18.08.060 · code text Detached accessory structures located in the rear half of the lot shall have a minimum interior five-foot side yard setback requirement, unless constructed with appropriate fire-resistive walls as required by the California Building Code. At least 5 feet from the rear line. Applies: For detached accessory structures in the R-1 zone, unless built with fire-resistive walls as the building code requires. § 18.08.060 · code text Detached accessory structures shall have a minimum rear yard setback requirement of five feet, unless constructed with appropriate fire restrictive walls as required by the California Building Code. At least 5 feet setback. Applies: For a garage entered from an alley in the R-1 zone. § 18.08.060 · code text A minimum setback of five feet shall be required for a garage that is accessed from an alley.

Running a business from home

Ceres code What Ceres's code adds
Space used	No more than 1 room, or 20% of the main floor area, whichever is greater. Applies: In the home. § 18.28.010 · code text A home occupation shall not utilize more than one room in the dwelling or the equivalent of 20 percent of the floor space of the main floor, whichever is greater. The attached or detached garage may not be used for the business. § 18.28.010 · code text If applicable, a home occupation shall not utilize the attached or detached garage of the dwelling.
Customer visits	No car or foot traffic beyond what is normal for a home. § 18.28.010 · code text Home occupations shall not generate any vehicular or pedestrian traffic not normally associated with a residential use.
Employees	Only 1 owner or tenant runs the business there. Other employees may not report to the home. Applies: At the single-family home where the home business is approved. § 18.28.010 · code text A home occupation permit shall only be issued to the one property owner/tenant (conducting the business) at the single-family residence where such home occupation has been approved. Any other employees associated with the home occupation business shall not report to the residence.
Permit	A home occupation permit is required. § 18.28.010 · code text A home occupation permit shall only be issued to the one property owner/tenant (conducting the business) at the single-family residence where such home occupation has been approved. Written consent of the property owner is required. Applies: When the property owner is not the applicant. § 18.28.010 · code text A home occupation permit request shall require the written consent of the property owner, if different than the applicant.
Businesses not allowed	uses with power-driven equipment with motors of more than two horsepower § 18.28.010 · code text Power-driven equipment using motors of more than two horsepower capacity shall be prohibited.

RV and boat parking

Ceres code What Ceres's code adds
Where it may be parked	In the side or rear yard setback, or the front yard setback if parked perpendicular to the street. Applies: Developed residential lots; RVs registered to an occupant; not on landscaped areas; no limit on number in a fenced side or rear yard. § 18.24.040 · code text There is not a limit for recreational vehicles that are parked and stored in a fenced side or rear yard.
Front-yard parking	No more than 2 RVs, parked perpendicular to the street; exceptions for curved driveways and corner lots. Applies: Front yard or street-side yard of developed residential property. § 18.24.040 · code text There shall not be more than two recreational vehicles parked or stored within the front or exterior side-yard of a property.
Screening and surface	A properly fitted vehicle cover is required; tarps, plastic and similar materials are prohibited. Applies: RVs stored on the property in public view, if they are covered. § 18.24.040 · code text Recreational vehicles stored on property pursuant to this section and within public view, and if covered, shall have a properly fitted cover designed for the vehicle that they are covering. Use of tarps, plastic or other similar materials is expressly prohibited for use as a cover.
Parking on the street	Up to 7 days. Applies: RVs over 18 feet long; only on the street next to the home where the owner or user is a guest. § 10.07.010 · code text Such vehicles may be parked upon any public street, avenue or thoroughfare immediately adjoining a residential unit for not to exceed seven days while the owner or user of the vehicle is a guest in the residential unit immediately adjoining the street, avenue or thoroughfare on which the vehicle is parked. No longer than 72 hours. Applies: RVs over 18 feet long on a public street; only for emergency repairs, loading or packing. § 10.07.010 · code text Such vehicles may be parked on any public street, avenue or thoroughfare for the sole purpose of performing emergency repairs, or for loading and packing, but in no event longer than 72 hours.
Living in an RV	No. An RV cannot be used as a permanent residence. Applies: An RV may serve as guest quarters for no more than 30 days per calendar year; the Director may allow an emergency extension. § 18.24.050 · code text No recreational vehicle lawfully parked or stored upon residential property may be rented, leased, used or occupied as a permanent residence.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Ceres code What Ceres's code adds
Solar height and setbacks	Panels cannot be taller than the maximum legal building height for the system to qualify. Applies: To qualify as a small residential rooftop solar energy system. § 15.04.040 · 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	Permits are issued administratively for a complete application meeting the checklist. Apply in person or electronically if available, with fees. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review; fees are the required permit processing and inspection fees. § 15.04.040 · code text The applicant shall submit the permit application and associated documentation to the City's building division either by personal or, if available, electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees. Only 1 inspection is required. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.04.040 · 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 Inspector and Fire Department designee.
Review time	Permits are issued within 1 to 3 working days. Applies: A complete application that meets the checklist for a small residential rooftop solar energy system. § 15.04.040 · code text Upon confirmation by the building official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations within one to three working days in which the permit application is submitted.

Pets, chickens and bees

Ceres code What Ceres's code adds
Pet limit	No more than 3 cats 6 weeks old or older. Applies: Household pets; dogs and miniature potbellied pigs may not reach kennel numbers. § 8.03.010 · code text and not to exceed three cats six weeks of age or older.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Ceres?

City rule: in front and street-side setbacks, solid fences are limited to 3 feet and see-through ones to 4 feet; outside them, 7 feet.

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

In the R-1 zone, accessory structures are limited to one story or 15 feet, whichever is less.

Can I run a business from my home in Ceres?

A home business needs a permit and may use one room or 20% of the main floor, whichever is greater, but not the garage.

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

Ceres's code: In the side or rear yard setback, or the front yard setback if parked perpendicular to the street. (Developed residential lots; RVs registered to an occupant; not on landscaped areas; no limit on number in a fenced side or rear yard.) (§ 18.24.040); No more than 2 RVs, parked perpendicular to the street; exceptions for curved driveways and corner lots. (Front yard or street-side yard of developed residential property.) (§ 18.24.040).

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

Ceres's code: Panels cannot be taller than the maximum legal building height for the system to qualify. (To qualify as a small residential rooftop solar energy system.) (§ 15.04.040); Permits are issued administratively for a complete application meeting the checklist. Apply in person or electronically if available, with fees. (Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review; fees are the required permit processing and inspection fees.) (§ 15.04.040).

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

Ceres's code: No more than 3 cats 6 weeks old or older. (Household pets; dogs and miniature potbellied pigs may not reach kennel numbers.) (§ 8.03.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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