Chino · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Chino

Chino sets fence heights by yard and light transmission, and sets height, size and setback limits for accessory structures in single-family districts. Home businesses need a permit, with exceptions for small tutoring and phone-or-computer work.

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Key points

Fence height: Front-yard fences are limited to 3 feet, or 4 feet if they let through at least 90% of light; side and rear, 6 feet.
Accessory structures: Nonhabitable accessory structures are limited to 1,200 square feet; those over 120 square feet, to 2 stories or 20 feet in single-family districts.
Home businesses: A home business needs a permit and may use at most 10% of the home's floor area, in one room, with only occupants working.

Each rule below is marked Chino 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 code What Chino's code adds
Corner visibility	Nothing higher than 3 feet above the nearest street pavement, or the traveled roadway if there is no pavement. Applies: Walls, fences, obstacles, mature landscaping or objects in visibility areas. § 20.10.080 · code text There shall not be visual obstruction in the form of any wall, fence, obstacle, mature landscaping, or object allowed, installed, set out, or maintained, which exceeds a height of three feet above the nearest street pavement surface or, if there is no pavement, the existing traveled roadway;
Height anywhere on the lot	Up to 10 feet for security walls and fences. Applies: Residential security walls and fences. Above 6 feet, the wall must be the minimum height needed for security, as the Director decides. § 20.10.080 · code text Security \| 10 feet; however walls/fences in excess of 6 feet in height shall be the minimum height necessary to ensure the security of a property, as determined by the Director of Community Development.
Front yard height	No more than 3 feet in the required front yard. Applies: Required front yard of a residential property. A 4-foot fence is allowed if it lets through at least 90% of light. § 20.10.080 · code text Within any required front yard \| 3 feet, except a 4-foot high fence is permitted, provided the fence is capable of emitting at least 90% of light, as measured by a reputable light meter. Up to 4 feet in the required front yard. Applies: Residential property, only for a fence that lets through at least 90% of light, measured by a light meter. § 20.10.080 · code text Within any required front yard \| 3 feet, except a 4-foot high fence is permitted, provided the fence is capable of emitting at least 90% of light, as measured by a reputable light meter. Solid pilasters may be 4 feet high. Applies: Solid pilasters in the required front yard of a residential property. § 20.10.080 · code text Solid pilasters may be 4 feet high.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 6 feet along the property line. Applies: Interior side or rear property line. The Director may allow more for security, noise reduction or different grades if both adjoining owners agree. § 20.10.080 · code text Property Line \| 6 feet; however, the Director of Community Development may permit a wall in excess of 6 feet in height along an interior side or rear property line if additional height is requested for security, noise attenuation, or to achieve at least 6 feet for both properties where the adjoining properties have different grades.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Chino code What Chino's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 14 feet, one story only. Applies: Small non-habitable accessory structures under 120 square feet in single-family zones (RD 1, RD 2, RD 4.5 and RD 8). § 20.11.040 · code text Height, Maximum \| 14 feet (one story only) \| Same as main building No more than 2 stories or 20 feet. Applies: Large non-habitable accessory structures over 120 square feet, not patio enclosures, in single-family zones (RD 1, RD 2, RD 4.5, RD 8). § 20.11.040 · code text Height, Maximum \| 2 stories or 20 feet \| Same as main building No more than 14 feet. Applies: Patio covers in single-family zones and single-family small lot subdivisions. § 20.11.040 · code text Height, Maximum \| 14 feet \| 14 feet \| Same as main building No more than 14 feet. Applies: Patio enclosures in single-family zones and single-family small lot subdivisions. § 20.11.040 · code text Height, Maximum \| 14 feet \| 14 feet \| Same as main building 1 story and no more than 16 feet. Applies: Habitable accessory structures over 120 square feet. § 20.11.030 · code text Height, Maximum \| 1 story and up to 16 feet[1] \| 1 story and up to 16 feet[1] \| 1 story and up to 16 feet[1]
Size or lot coverage	No more than 1,200 square feet. Applies: Non-habitable accessory structures. The planning commission may approve a larger one with a special conditional use permit. § 20.11.040 · code text The maximum size of the structure shall be one thousand two hundred square feet, except that the planning commission may approve a larger structure with a special conditional use permit. No more than 50% of the rear yard. Applies: Patio covers in single-family zones and single-family small lot subdivisions. § 20.11.040 · code text Rear Yard Coverage, Maximum \| 50% \| 50% \| N/A No more than 50% of the rear yard. Applies: Patio enclosures in single-family zones and single-family small lot subdivisions. § 20.11.040 · code text Rear Yard Coverage, Maximum \| 50% \| 50% \| N/A No more than 1,200 square feet. Applies: Habitable accessory structures over 120 square feet in RD 1, RD 2, RD 4.5 and RD 8 zones. § 20.11.030 · code text Maximum Size Structure \| 1,200 square feet[2] \| 1,200 square feet[2] \| None No more than 80% of the main home's floor area. Applies: Detached habitable accessory structures. The main home's floor area does not include any attached or detached garage. § 20.11.030 · code text The total floor area of a detached habitable accessory structure shall not exceed eighty percent of the total floor area of the primary structure, excluding any attached or detached garage.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from the rear line. Applies: One-story non-habitable accessory structures over 120 square feet with no habitable space, in single-family zones. § 20.11.040 · code text Rear, no habitable space \| One Story—5 feet[4] Two Story—10 feet [2][4] \| Same as main building At least 10 feet from the rear line. Applies: Two-story non-habitable accessory structures over 120 square feet in single-family zones. A building over 14 feet tall counts as two stories. § 20.11.040 · code text Rear, no habitable space \| One Story—5 feet[4] Two Story—10 feet [2][4] \| Same as main building At least 5 feet from the interior side line. Applies: Large non-habitable accessory structures over 120 square feet with no habitable space, in single-family zones. § 20.11.040 · code text Interior, no habitable space \| 5 feet [3][4] \| Same as main building At least 5 feet from the rear, interior side and street side lines. Applies: Patio covers in single-family zones and single-family small lot subdivisions. § 20.11.040 · code text Rear \| 5 feet \| 5 feet \| Same as main building Interior Side \| 5 feet \| 5 feet \| Same as main building Street Side \| 5 feet \| 5 feet \| Same as main building At least 10 feet from the rear line. Applies: Patio enclosures in single-family zones and single-family small lot subdivisions. § 20.11.040 · code text Rear \| 10 feet \| 10 feet \| Same as main building At least 5/10 feet from the interior side line. Applies: Patio enclosures in single-family zones. One side yard needs a clear access at least 10 feet wide to the rear yard (not RD 8). § 20.11.040 · code text Interior Side \| 5/10 feet \| 5 feet \| Same as main building At least 5 feet from the interior side line. Applies: Patio enclosures in single-family small lot subdivisions. § 20.11.040 · code text Interior Side \| 5/10 feet \| 5 feet \| Same as main building At least 15 feet from the street side line. Applies: Patio enclosures in single-family zones and single-family small lot subdivisions. § 20.11.040 · code text Street Side \| 15 feet \| 15 feet \| Same as main building At least 5 feet from the interior side line. Applies: Habitable accessory structures over 120 square feet in RD 4.5 and RD 8 zones. § 20.11.030 · code text Interior side \| Same as main building \| 5 feet \| Same as main building

Running a business from home

Chino code What Chino's code adds
Space used	No more than 10% of the home's gross floor area. Applies: The business must be inside one room of the home, not the garage. § 20.21.040 · code text The home occupation shall be conducted within an enclosed structure, completely confined to one room of the dwelling, excepting the garage, and shall occupy no more than ten percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling.
Customer visits	No more vehicle or foot traffic than is normal for a residential neighborhood. § 20.21.040 · code text The home occupation shall not generate vehicular or pedestrian traffic in greater volumes than would reasonably be expected in a residential neighborhood.
Employees	Only people who live in the home may work in the business. § 20.21.040 · code text Only the occupants of the dwelling may engage in the home occupation.
Permit	A home occupation permit with administrative approval is required. § 20.21.040 · code text Establishment of a home occupation shall require an Administrative Approval of a home occupation permit. No home occupation permit is required. Applies: In-home teaching, such as music lessons or tutoring, with no more than 5 students present at one time. § 20.21.040 · code text A home occupation permit shall not be required for an in-home educational activity, including but not limited to music lessons, academic tutoring or religious instruction, provided no more than five students are present at any one time, No home occupation permit is required. Applies: A business that needs only a phone or computer, with no deliveries or storage of business items at the home. § 20.21.040 · code text or a business that requires only a phone and/or computer, with no deliveries or storage of items related to the business to occur at the home.
Businesses not allowed	Gun and/or ammunition sales; barber and beauty shops; physical therapy; psychotherapy; similar personal services; businesses involving harboring, training, breeding, raising, grooming, or veterinary care of cats, dogs, or other animals; carpentry; cabinet making; furniture refinishing; bee keeping; medical and dental offices, clinics, or laboratories; repair, fix-it, or plumbing shops; storage of equipment, materials, and other accessories to the construction or service trades; motor vehicle repair, upholstery, or painting; welding or machining; gymnastics or athletic instruction; recording studios; outdoor recreation; retail sales except Cottage Food Operations; commercial food preparation (catering) except Cottage Food Operations; any other use determined by the director not incidental to or compatible with residential activities § 20.21.040 · code text The following uses are prohibited as home occupations:

RV and boat parking

Chino code What Chino's code adds
Parking on the street	Not allowed unless the trailer stays attached to a vehicle that can move it normally. Applies: Applies to trailers and semitrailers on any street, alley or public place, except while loading, unloading or disabled. § 10.44.015 · code text A person shall not park any trailer or semitrailer upon any highway, street, alley, public way or public place unless the trailer or semitrailer is, at all times while so parked, attached to a vehicle capable of moving the trailer or semitrailer in a normal manner upon the highway, street, public way or public place.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Chino code What Chino's code adds
EV charger permit	The building official approves and issues all needed permits when the application meets the city's checklist. Applies: Applies to EV charging stations. Every permit application also needs a zoning clearance. § 15.30.070 · code text All permit applications require a zoning clearance determination.
Solar height and setbacks	Panels may not exceed the maximum legal building height to count as a small residential rooftop system. Applies: Applies to expedited review of small residential rooftop solar systems. § 15.46.010 · code text A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined in this Code or applicable provisions of state law.
Solar permit process	Administrative approval and all required permits once the building official confirms a complete application meets the checklist. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.46.010 · 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 and authorizations. Apply in person, by mail, or electronically, including e-mail, online permit software, fax or SolarApp+. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems. § 15.46.010 · code text An 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.

Other Chino rules on this

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

Animal keeping standards (§ 20.21.030)
Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 19.04.110)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Chino?

Front-yard fences are limited to 3 feet, or 4 feet if they let through at least 90% of light; side and rear, 6 feet.

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

Nonhabitable accessory structures are limited to 1,200 square feet; those over 120 square feet, to 2 stories or 20 feet in single-family districts.

Can I run a business from my home in Chino?

A home business needs a permit and may use at most 10% of the home's floor area, in one room, with only occupants working.

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

Chino's code: Not allowed unless the trailer stays attached to a vehicle that can move it normally. (Applies to trailers and semitrailers on any street, alley or public place, except while loading, unloading or disabled.) (§ 10.44.015).

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

Chino's code: The building official approves and issues all needed permits when the application meets the city's checklist. (Applies to EV charging stations. Every permit application also needs a zoning clearance.) (§ 15.30.070); Panels may not exceed the maximum legal building height to count as a small residential rooftop system. (Applies to expedited review of small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 15.46.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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