Colton · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Colton

Colton requires Director approval for chain link fencing and sets home business limits for homes on the City Register of Historic and Scenic Resources.

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Key points

Chain link fences: City rule: chain link fencing in residential and nonresidential zones needs Director approval, based on appearance, structural quality and durability.
Historic homes: For homes on the City Register of Historic and Scenic Resources, only resident family members may work in a home business.

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

Fences and walls

Colton code What Colton's code adds
Permit	The Director may approve chain link fencing after considering its appearance, structural quality and durability. Applies: For chain link fencing in residential and nonresidential zones. § 18.38.050 · code text the placement of chain link fencing in all residential and Nonresidential Zones within the City may be Approved by the Director

Running a business from home

Colton code What Colton's code adds
Customer visits	No foot or car traffic beyond what is normal in the zone. Applies: For home businesses in homes listed on the City Register of Historic and Scenic Resources. § 18.44.040 · code text The Use Shall not generate Pedestrian or vehicular traffic beyond that normally found in the zone in which it is located.
Employees	No employees other than family members who live in the home. Applies: For home businesses in homes listed on the City Register of Historic and Scenic Resources. § 18.44.040 · code text There Shall be no Employees other than members of the residential Family living in the residence.

Lot splits under SB 9

Colton code What Colton's code adds
How the lot may be divided	Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot area. Applies: Applies to each resulting lot. § 16.22.050 · code text Each of the resulting lots must be between 60 percent and 40 percent of the original lot area.
Unit size	More than 500 and no more than 800 square feet. Applies: Applies to each new primary dwelling on a lot created by an urban lot split. § 16.22.050 · code text more than 500 square feet. Limited to its lawful floor area at the time of the urban lot split. Applies: Applies to a primary dwelling legally built before the split and larger than 800 square feet. § 16.22.050 · code text A primary dwelling that was legally established prior to the urban lot split and that is larger than 800 square feet is limited to the lawful floor area at the time of the urban lot split. May be expanded to 800 square feet after the urban lot split. Applies: Applies to a primary dwelling legally built before the split and smaller than 800 square feet. § 16.22.050 · code text A primary dwelling that was legally established prior to the urban lot split and that is smaller than 800 square feet may be expanded to 800 square feet after the urban lot split.
Minimum new lot size	Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. Applies: Applies to each resulting lot. § 16.22.050 · code text The resulting lots must each be at least 1,200 square feet.
Standards	No more than 2 dwelling units of any kind may be built on the lot. Applies: Applies to a lot created by an urban lot split. § 16.22.050 · code text No more than two dwelling units of any kind may be built on a lot that results from an urban lot split. Each new lot must adjoin the public right-of-way with at least 12.5 feet of frontage. Applies: Applies to each resulting lot. § 16.22.050 · code text Each resulting lot must have frontage on the public right-of-way of at least 12.5 feet. The lot to be split must be at least 2,400 square feet. Applies: Applies to the original lot. § 16.22.050 · code text The lot to be split must be at least 2,400 square feet. No new primary dwelling may exceed a single story or 16 feet. Applies: Applies to a resulting lot larger than 2,000 square feet. § 16.22.050 · code text On a resulting lot that is larger than 2,000 square feet, no new primary dwelling unit may exceed a single story or 16 feet

Solar panels and EV chargers

Colton code What Colton's code adds
EV charger permit	Permits issue when the application meets the City's checklist and laws; electronic submittal is allowed. Applies: EV charging stations. The application must show it meets Colton Electric Utility policies before approval. § 18.48.200 · code text A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the City's adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed.
Solar permit process	City staff issue a building or other nondiscretionary permit within a reasonable time after a complete application meets the checklist. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems that also meet the standard plan. § 15.60.060 · code text The Building Department Shall adopt a standard plan and checklist of all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems Shall comply in order to be eligible for expedited permitting.

Swimming pools

Colton code What Colton's code adds
Pool barrier	The barrier must be designed so it does not work like a ladder. § 18.38.060 · code text A Fence or Wall or other solid Structure so designed as not to present a ladder effect, not less than five feet in height Shall be maintained on the Lot or Premises upon which is situated a Swimming Pool, portable or aboveground-type pool or other open area of water including reservoirs, stumps and irrigation ditches where the water level is higher than eighteen inches. The barrier must completely surround the pool or water area. § 18.38.060 · code text Such Fence or Structure Shall completely surround such pool or area and all Gates or doors opening through such Enclosures Shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices designed to keep such opening securely closed at all times when not in actual Use.
Barrier height	At least 5 feet high. Applies: Applies to a fence or wall around a pool or other open water deeper than 18 inches. § 18.38.060 · code text A Fence or Wall or other solid Structure so designed as not to present a ladder effect, not less than five feet in height Shall be maintained on the Lot or Premises upon which is situated a Swimming Pool, portable or aboveground-type pool or other open area of water including reservoirs, stumps and irrigation ditches where the water level is higher than eighteen inches.
Gates	Gates and doors must self-close and self-latch, and stay securely closed when not in actual use. § 18.38.060 · code text Such Fence or Structure Shall completely surround such pool or area and all Gates or doors opening through such Enclosures Shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices designed to keep such opening securely closed at all times when not in actual Use.

Pets, chickens and bees

Colton code What Colton's code adds
Large animals	No more than 3 animals per acre in total. Applies: R-E, M-1 or M-2 zones; kept at least 60 feet from neighboring homes and 40 feet from the home on the property. § 18.54.020 · code text In an R-E, M-1 or M-2 Zone to keep a total combination thereof of three or less animals per acre, and providing all of them are kept at least sixty feet from any surrounding residence and forty feet from any residence of the Property in which they are kept; Allowed. Applies: Applies in the A Zone. § 18.54.020 · code text In an A Zone.
Pet limit	No more than 10 dogs, 10 cats, or 10 dogs and cats combined. Applies: Applies to each dwelling unit or single-family parcel. § 7.04.130 · code text It is unlawful to keep more than ten dogs, or more than ten cats, or a combination of dogs and cats that total more than ten.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Colton?

City rule: chain link fencing in residential and nonresidential zones needs Director approval, based on appearance, structural quality and durability.

Can I run a business from my home in Colton?

For homes on the City Register of Historic and Scenic Resources, only resident family members may work in a home business.

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Colton?

Colton's code: Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot area. (Applies to each resulting lot.) (§ 16.22.050); More than 500 and no more than 800 square feet. (Applies to each new primary dwelling on a lot created by an urban lot split.) (§ 16.22.050).

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

Colton's code: Permits issue when the application meets the City's checklist and laws; electronic submittal is allowed. (EV charging stations. The application must show it meets Colton Electric Utility policies before approval.) (§ 18.48.200); City staff issue a building or other nondiscretionary permit within a reasonable time after a complete application meets the checklist. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems that also meet the standard plan.) (§ 15.60.060).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Colton?

Colton's code: The barrier must be designed so it does not work like a ladder. (§ 18.38.060); The barrier must completely surround the pool or water area. (§ 18.38.060).

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

Colton's code: No more than 3 animals per acre in total. (R-E, M-1 or M-2 zones; kept at least 60 feet from neighboring homes and 40 feet from the home on the property.) (§ 18.54.020); Allowed. (Applies in the A Zone.) (§ 18.54.020).

General information, not legal advice.

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