Downey · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Downey

Downey sets its own limits on fences, accessory buildings and home businesses. Fence height depends on the setback area, and some businesses may not run from a home.

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Key points

Fence height: Downey limits residential fences to 42 inches in front and street side setbacks and 7 feet on interior side and rear lines.
Accessory buildings: Downey requires detached accessory buildings, including garages, to be at least 5 feet from any other building on the same lot.
Banned businesses: Downey does not allow some home businesses, including auto repair, animal grooming, cabinet making, contractor storage yards, personal services and welding.

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

Fences and walls

Downey code What Downey's code adds
Corner visibility	At most 30 inches in the corner cutback; fences over 42 inches need 5-foot triangle setbacks at driveways and alleys. Applies: Residential zones, front and street side setback area. § 9520.08 · code text 42 inches in the front and street side setback area, except within the corner cutback (see Figure 9.5.10, Street Side Lot) where the maximum height is 30 inches. In addition, on a street side yard, walls or fences not exceeding seven feet in height may be constructed not less than three feet from the side street property line nor closer than 35 feet to the front property line. Walls or fences exceeding 42 inches in height shall have five-foot triangular setbacks abutting driveways and alleys within the required setback area (Figure 9.5.10);
Front yard height	Walls and fences can be at most 42 inches tall. Applies: Front and street side setback area in all residential zones. § 9520.08 · code text 42 inches in the front and street side setback area, except within the corner cutback (see Figure 9.5.10, Street Side Lot) where the maximum height is 30 inches.
Side and rear yard height	Walls and fences can be up to 7 feet tall. Applies: Residential street side yards only: at least 3 feet from the side street property line and at least 35 feet from the front property line. § 9520.08 · code text In addition, on a street side yard, walls or fences not exceeding seven feet in height may be constructed not less than three feet from the side street property line nor closer than 35 feet to the front property line. Walls and fences can be at most 7 feet tall. Applies: Interior side and rear property lines, outside the required front or street setback, in all residential zones. § 9520.08 · code text Seven feet on interior side and rear property lines when not located in the required front or street setback. See Figure 9.5.10. A decorative masonry wall at least 5.5 feet and no more than 7 feet high is required. Applies: R-3 and R-3-O properties next to an R-1 or R-2 property, along the shared property line. § 9520.08 · code text Properties in the R-3 and R-3-O Zones, when abutting an R-1 or R-2 zoned property, shall construct a decorative masonry wall not less than five and one-half feet or more than seven feet in height above the finished grade along the common property line, unless the height of the wall would exceed the maximum height allowed elsewhere in the section.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Downey code What Downey's code adds
Side and rear setback	Not within 5 feet of the front half of a neighboring lot. Applies: Detached accessory buildings in interior side and rear setback areas; the front half counts up to 50 feet deep. § 9534.22 · code text No detached accessory building shall be within five feet of the front one-half of an adjacent lot. No closer to an interior side lot line than the main building's required side yard. Applies: Residential zones, unless the accessory building is completely behind the main building. § 9534.08 · code text In any residential zone, accessory buildings or uses shall not be erected or maintained closer to an interior side lot line than the permitted side yard distance required for the main building, unless such accessory building or use is located completely to the rear of the main building.
Distance from the house	At least 5 feet from any other building on the same lot. Applies: Detached accessory buildings, including detached garages. § 9534.22 · code text No detached accessory building, including detached garages, shall be nearer than five feet to any other building on the same lot.

Running a business from home

Downey code What Downey's code adds
Businesses not allowed	Adult businesses; animal hospitals or grooming facilities; animal training; automotive repair, upholstering, painting, detailing, or washing; body art facilities; cabinet making and carpenter shops; contractor storage yards; firearms manufacture, sales, or repair; furniture refinishing or upholstery; junkyards; machine shops and tool repair; personal services; tow truck service; welding or machine operation; and uses determined by the Director to be similar or incompatible with residential activities § 9408.10 · code text The following uses shall not be permitted as a home occupation:

Lot splits under SB 9

Downey code What Downey'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 urban lot splits. § 9965.04 · code text Each of the resulting lots must be between 60% and 40% of the original lot area.
Minimum new lot size	Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. Applies: Applies to each resulting lot. § 9965.04 · code text The resulting lots must each be at least 1,200 square feet.
Standards	The lot being split must be at least 2,400 square feet. Applies: Applies to the original lot. § 9965.04 · code text The lot to be split must be at least 2,400 square feet. Each new lot must border the public right-of-way. Applies: Applies to each resulting lot. § 9965.04 · code text Each resulting lot must adjoin the public right-of-way. Each new lot needs at least 10 feet of frontage on the public right-of-way. Applies: Applies to urban lot splits. § 9965.04 · code text Each resulting lot must have a frontage on the public right-of-way of at least 10 feet in width. The lot being split must be in a single-family residential (R-1) subzone. Applies: Applies to the lot being split. § 9965.04 · code text The lot to be split is in a subzone of the single-family residential zone (R-1). No right-of-way dedication or off-site improvements are required. Applies: Applies to urban lot splits. § 9965.04 · code text Notwithstanding Section 66411.1 of the SMA, no dedication of rights-of-way or construction of off-site improvements is required for an urban lot split.

RV and boat parking

Downey code What Downey's code adds
Parking on the street	No more than 4 consecutive hours. Applies: Applies to oversized vehicles, including RVs, on any public street, alley, or highway, unless exempt. § 3182.5 · code text Unless otherwise exempted by this section, no person shall stop, stand, park, or leave standing any oversized vehicle (including any recreational vehicle) on any public street, alley, or highway within the City for a period exceeding four consecutive hours. No parking from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Applies: Applies to oversized vehicles, including RVs, on public streets, alleys, highways, or city-owned parking lots or structures, unless exempt. § 3182.5 · code text Unless otherwise exempted by this section, no person shall stop, stand, park, or leave standing any oversized vehicle (including any recreational vehicle) on any public street, alley, or highway within the City – or in any parking lot or structure owned, controlled, or operated by the City during the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the succeeding day. Up to 24 consecutive hours. Applies: Applies to emergency parking on a public street or highway due to a mechanical breakdown or the driver's or owner's physical incapacity. § 3182.5 · code text Emergency parking may be allowed for 24 consecutive hours when an oversized vehicle is left parked on a public street or highway because of a mechanical breakdown or because of physical incapacity of the driver or owner. A temporary permit is valid for no more than 72 hours. Applies: Applies to an RV on a public street on the resident's block; no more than 15 permits per address per calendar year. § 3182.5 · code text No permit issued pursuant to this section for the temporary parking of a recreational vehicle on a public street shall be valid for a period exceeding 72 hours. A new permit cannot start within 24 hours after the last one for the same address expires. Applies: Applies to temporary RV street parking permits. § 3182.5 · code text No permit issued pursuant to this section for the temporary parking of a recreational vehicle on a public street shall be valid for any period of time within 24 hours of the expiration of another permit for the same address.
Living in an RV	Not allowed: no overnight camping, lodging or sleeping in the RV. Applies: Applies to an RV parked on a public street under a temporary parking permit. § 3182.5 · code text A statement under penalty of perjury that the recreational vehicle will not be used for overnight camping, lodging, sleeping, or other accommodation purposes while parked on the public street;

Solar panels and EV chargers

Downey code What Downey's code adds
EV charger permit	The Building Official issues permits when the application meets the city checklist and laws; electronic applications and signatures accepted. Applies: Applies to electric vehicle charging stations. § 8986.04 · code text the Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this ordinance and associated supporting documentations.
Solar permit process	Expedited review, with over-the-counter plan check for in-person applications during counter hours; only one inspection. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems. § 8150.10 · code text The expedited review shall include over-the-counter plan check for all applications submitted in person during normal counter plan check hours. Applications may be submitted electronically. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar permit applications. § 8150.08 · code text Applications for small residential rooftop solar energy system permit may be done through electronic submittal.
Review time	Plan check is completed within 3 business days. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar applications submitted electronically or outside normal plan check hours. § 8150.10 · code text For small residential rooftop solar energy systems submitted outside of normal plan check hours or submitted electronically, plan check shall be completed within three business days.

Pets, chickens and bees

Downey code What Downey's code adds
Chickens	Yes, up to 5 chickens, rabbits, pigeons and similar animals in any combination per lot. Applies: No roosters; animals other than household pets must be at least 50 feet from any home, including homes on other lots. § 9514.02 · code text Chickens, rabbits, pigeons, and the like shall not exceed five on a lot in any combination thereof, except that, up to a maximum of 100 Racing/Homing Sport Pigeons shall be permitted in R-1 Zones subject to a Conditional Use Permit approval as required by Section 9824 of the Municipal Code.
Coop setback	At least 10 feet from any separate accessory building. Applies: Applies to racing or homing pigeon lofts in R-1 zones. § 9514.02 · code text No loft structures shall be closer than 10 feet to any separate accessory buildings. At least 35 feet from any residential building, including on other lots. Applies: Applies to racing or homing pigeon lofts, which must be behind the main home. § 9514.02 · code text Pigeons and the lofts where they are to be kept shall be kept to the rear of the main dwelling and be no less than 35 feet from any building involving a residential occupancy (including buildings on other properties) and at least 100 feet from any school or hospital or a similar institutional use. At least 100 feet from any school, hospital or similar institution. Applies: Applies to racing or homing pigeon lofts. § 9514.02 · code text Pigeons and the lofts where they are to be kept shall be kept to the rear of the main dwelling and be no less than 35 feet from any building involving a residential occupancy (including buildings on other properties) and at least 100 feet from any school or hospital or a similar institutional use.
Large animals	Horses need a lot of at least 20,000 square feet; no more than 3 horses per lot. § 9514.04 · code text Horses shall not be permitted on a lot having an area less than 20,000 square feet and shall not exceed three on a lot. Live pigs or hogs are not allowed in any zone. § 9514.04 · code text No person shall keep or maintain any live pig or hog of any age in any zone.
Permit	A Conditional Use Permit is needed to keep up to 100 racing or homing pigeons. Applies: Only in R-1 zones. § 9514.02 · code text up to a maximum of 100 Racing/Homing Sport Pigeons shall be permitted in R-1 Zones subject to a Conditional Use Permit approval as required by Section 9824 of the Municipal Code. City approval is required. Applies: Applies to reptiles and other animals the code classes as wild and vicious animals. § 9514.04 · code text All other animals, reptiles, and the like shall be classified as wild and vicious animals, and an approval, as set forth in Section 4272.1 of Chapter 2 of Article IV of this Code shall be required for the keeping of such animals.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Downey?

Downey limits residential fences to 42 inches in front and street side setbacks and 7 feet on interior side and rear lines.

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

Downey requires detached accessory buildings, including garages, to be at least 5 feet from any other building on the same lot.

Can I run a business from my home in Downey?

Downey does not allow some home businesses, including auto repair, animal grooming, cabinet making, contractor storage yards, personal services and welding.

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Downey?

Downey's code: Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot area. (Applies to urban lot splits.) (§ 9965.04); Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. (Applies to each resulting lot.) (§ 9965.04).

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

Downey's code: No more than 4 consecutive hours. (Applies to oversized vehicles, including RVs, on any public street, alley, or highway, unless exempt.) (§ 3182.5); No parking from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Applies to oversized vehicles, including RVs, on public streets, alleys, highways, or city-owned parking lots or structures, unless exempt.) (§ 3182.5).

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

Downey's code: The Building Official issues permits when the application meets the city checklist and laws; electronic applications and signatures accepted. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 8986.04); Expedited review, with over-the-counter plan check for in-person applications during counter hours; only one inspection. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 8150.10).

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

Downey's code: Yes, up to 5 chickens, rabbits, pigeons and similar animals in any combination per lot. (No roosters; animals other than household pets must be at least 50 feet from any home, including homes on other lots.) (§ 9514.02); At least 10 feet from any separate accessory building. (Applies to racing or homing pigeon lofts in R-1 zones.) (§ 9514.02).

General information, not legal advice.

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