Chino Hills · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Chino Hills

Chino Hills sets fence, wall and hedge heights by yard and zone, with extra limits for retaining walls on knolls, ridgelines and in Carbon Canyon. For home businesses, it lists uses that are not allowed.

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Key points

Fence height: Fences are limited to 4 feet in required front yards (6 with a minor exception) and 6 feet in side and rear yards.
Home businesses: Barber, hair and aesthetician services are limited to 1 customer at a time; clinics, massage, vehicle repair and welding are not allowed.

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

Fences and walls

Chino Hills code What Chino Hills's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot	No maximum height for hedges. Applies: Hedges anywhere except the required front yard setback in single-family zones and single-family uses in the PD district. § 16.06.120 · code text Hedges in all other locations shall have no maximum height. Retaining walls are limited to 4 feet high. Applies: Retaining walls outside the required front yard, on prominent knolls and ridgelines and in the Carbon Canyon Area. § 16.06.120 · code text For walls constructed in the areas defined in Section 16.08.050(B) of this Code, the wall shall be limited to a height of four (4) feet. Up to 5 feet, only with an approved minor variance. Applies: Retaining walls visible from a public street, outside the required front yard, on prominent knolls and ridgelines and in the Carbon Canyon Area. § 16.06.120 · code text However, upon approval of a minor Variance pursuant to Chapter 16.72 of this Development Code, a height of up to five (5) feet may be permitted for walls visible from a public street Up to 8 feet, only with an approved minor variance. Applies: Retaining walls not visible from a public street, outside the required front yard, on prominent knolls and ridgelines and in the Carbon Canyon Area. § 16.06.120 · code text and a height of up to eight (8) feet may be permitted for walls not visible from a public street.
Front yard height	No more than 4 feet in the required front yard. Applies: Single-family zones and single-family uses in the PD district. A 6-foot maximum is allowed if extra stated requirements are met. § 16.06.120 · code text Required front yard—Four (4) feet maximum, except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, a six-foot maximum is permitted if the requirements set forth in subsection (C)(3) of this section are met. No more than 4 feet in the required front yard. Applies: Multi-family zones and multi-family uses in the PD district. Up to 6 feet if the part above 3 feet is open or transparent. § 16.06.120 · code text Required front yard—Four (4) feet maximum, except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, a six-foot maximum is permitted on condition that the portion of the fence or wall projecting above three (3) feet, excluding pilasters, shall be an open material (e.g. tubular steel) or transparent material (e.g. acrylic). Up to 6 feet in the required front yard. Applies: Multi-family zones and multi-family uses in the PD district, only if the part above 3 feet is open or transparent material. § 16.06.120 · code text Required front yard—Four (4) feet maximum, except that, notwithstanding the foregoing, a six-foot maximum is permitted on condition that the portion of the fence or wall projecting above three (3) feet, excluding pilasters, shall be an open material (e.g. tubular steel) or transparent material (e.g. acrylic). Up to 6 feet in the required front yard, only with an approved minor exception. Applies: Residential zones. The part above 3 feet must be open material, and walls must be decorative block or stucco with a decorative cap. § 16.06.120 · code text Fences and walls taller than four (4) feet within the required front yard are permitted up to a maximum of six (6) feet if a minor exception is approved pursuant to Chapter 16.73 and subject to compliance with all of the following requirements: Hedges no taller than 4 feet. Applies: Hedges within the required front yard setback in single-family zones and single-family uses in the PD district. § 16.06.120 · code text Hedges within the required front yard setback shall not exceed four (4) feet in height. Retaining walls no taller than 4 feet in the front yard. Applies: Required front yard in a residential zone. Total wall height, retaining part included, is also 4 feet unless minor exception rules are met. § 16.06.120 · code text The height of retaining walls in the front yard shall be equal to or less than four (4) feet in height.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 6 feet for fences and walls. Applies: Required side and rear yards in single-family zones and single-family uses in the PD district. § 16.06.120 · code text Required sides and rear yard—Six (6) feet maximum for fences and walls. No more than 6 feet. Applies: Required side and rear yards in multi-family zones and multi-family uses in the PD district. § 16.06.120 · code text Required sides and rear yard—Six (6) feet maximum.
Permit	A minor exception is needed for front-yard fences or walls over 4 feet; up to 6 feet is allowed. Applies: Fences and walls taller than 4 feet in the required front yard of a residential zone. Other stated requirements also apply. § 16.06.120 · code text Fences and walls taller than four (4) feet within the required front yard are permitted up to a maximum of six (6) feet if a minor exception is approved pursuant to Chapter 16.73

Running a business from home

Chino Hills code What Chino Hills's code adds
Customer visits	No more than 1 customer at a time. Applies: Personal care services such as barber, hair styling and aesthetician. Attendance must also meet the performance standards. § 16.56.030 · code text Personal care services including barber, hair styling and aesthetician provided no more than one customer at a time and provided maximum attendance complies with Section 16.56.020(I) Performance Standards;
Businesses not allowed	Adult-oriented businesses; ambulance service; ammunition reloading, including custom reloading; auto security system installation on-site; boarding house, bed-and-breakfast hotel, timeshare condominium; carpentry and cabinet making on-site; ceramics involving a kiln of six cubic feet or more on-site; medical, dental, or chiropractic clinics; mortician or hearse service on-site; massage practitioners; storage, repair, or reconditioning of motorized vehicles, large equipment, or major household appliances on-site; tow truck service; veterinary uses, including boarding, unless otherwise permitted by the Municipal Code; welding or metalsmithing services on-site § 16.56.035 · code text The following businesses are not incidental to, or compatible with, residential activities, and are therefore prohibited from operating as a home occupation use: Any business that does not meet the home occupation performance standards (§ 16.56.020) and the permitted home occupation uses (§ 16.56.030), unless later authorized by the Community Development Director or Planning Commission § 16.56.035 · code text Any business or home occupation not compliant with Section 16.56.020 Performance Standards and Section 16.56.030 Permitted Home Occupation Uses or subsequently authorized by the Community Development Director or Planning Commission shall be prohibited.

RV and boat parking

Chino Hills code What Chino Hills's code adds
Parking on the street	At most 3 days in a row, up to 12 days total per calendar month. Applies: RVs with an annual temporary parking permit on a city street; at least 15 feet from corners and fire hydrants. § 10.12.070 · code text Parking of a recreational vehicle with an annual temporary parking permit shall be allowed for a maximum of three consecutive days, up to twelve (12) days total per calendar month.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Chino Hills code What Chino Hills's code adds
EV charger permit	The Building Official approves and issues all needed permits when the application meets the City checklist; electronic filing allowed. Applies: EV charging stations; must meet all laws and health and safety standards; the station cannot be energized or used until the City approves it. § 15.17.040 · code text A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the City's adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed.
Review time	The permit is issued the same day. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar, complete over-the-counter applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan. § 15.16.060 · code text The Director must issue a ministerial building permit on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within three business days for electronic submittals, upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan. The permit is issued within 3 business days. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar, complete electronic applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan. § 15.16.060 · code text The Director must issue a ministerial building permit on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within three business days for electronic submittals, upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Tree removal

Chino Hills code What Chino Hills's code adds
Exemptions	Emergency removal may be authorized without following the chapter's usual requirements. Applies: A protected tree in a hazardous or dangerous condition that is an immediate threat to people or property. § 16.90.130 · code text Notwithstanding the requirements of this chapter, in the case of an emergency caused by a protected tree being in a hazardous or dangerous condition posing an immediate threat to person or property, the Director, Public Works Director, or any member of the Police Department or Fire Department (as that term is defined in Title 8 of this Code) may authorize removal of such a tree.
Permit to remove	Yes, a tree permit is required. Applies: Non-exempt protected trees in the city. § 16.90.040 · code text It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other legal entity to destroy or remove any non-exempt protected trees within the City without a tree permit.

Pets, chickens and bees

Chino Hills code What Chino Hills's code adds
Permit	An Equestrian and Large Animal Use Permit (EUP) is required. Applies: Equestrian and Large Animal Overlay District; more than 100 animals, or more than the per-acre maximums. § 16.33.080 · code text Maximum number of animals shall not exceed one hundred (100) without an Equestrian and Large Animal Use Permit.
Pet limit	No more than 3 dogs and cats in total, with at most 2 dogs. Applies: An apartment or condominium unit. § 6.08.030 · code text It is unlawful for the occupants of any apartment or condominium as defined in this chapter to keep in such apartment or condominium more than three animals (i.e., dogs and cats), of which no more than two such animals shall be dogs. No more than 5 dogs and cats in total, with at most 3 dogs. Applies: Homes in residential zones, except apartments and condos, on lots no larger than 7,200 square feet. § 6.08.020 · code text It is unlawful for the occupants of any dwelling unit in a residential zone, district, area, or planned unit development, excepting an apartment or condominium, to keep in the City more than five total animals (i.e., dogs and cats), of which no more than three such animals shall be dogs.

Other Chino Hills rules on this

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

SB 9 lot splits and two-unit projects (§ 16.10.150)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Chino Hills?

Fences are limited to 4 feet in required front yards (6 with a minor exception) and 6 feet in side and rear yards.

Can I run a business from my home in Chino Hills?

Barber, hair and aesthetician services are limited to 1 customer at a time; clinics, massage, vehicle repair and welding are not allowed.

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

Chino Hills's code: At most 3 days in a row, up to 12 days total per calendar month. (RVs with an annual temporary parking permit on a city street; at least 15 feet from corners and fire hydrants.) (§ 10.12.070).

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

Chino Hills's code: The Building Official approves and issues all needed permits when the application meets the City checklist; electronic filing allowed. (EV charging stations; must meet all laws and health and safety standards; the station cannot be energized or used until the City approves it.) (§ 15.17.040); The permit is issued the same day. (Small residential rooftop solar, complete over-the-counter applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan.) (§ 15.16.060).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Chino Hills?

Chino Hills's code: Emergency removal may be authorized without following the chapter's usual requirements. (A protected tree in a hazardous or dangerous condition that is an immediate threat to people or property.) (§ 16.90.130); Yes, a tree permit is required. (Non-exempt protected trees in the city.) (§ 16.90.040).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Chino Hills?

Chino Hills's code: An Equestrian and Large Animal Use Permit (EUP) is required. (Equestrian and Large Animal Overlay District; more than 100 animals, or more than the per-acre maximums.) (§ 16.33.080); No more than 3 dogs and cats in total, with at most 2 dogs. (An apartment or condominium unit.) (§ 6.08.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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