Dublin · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Dublin

Dublin sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard and accessory height on lot size, and some businesses may not run from a home.

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Key points

Fence height: In residential and agricultural districts, Dublin limits fences to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side, street side and rear yards.
Accessory structures: Dublin limits detached accessory structures to 15 feet, or 10 feet on lots under 5,000 square feet, and 30% of the required rear yard.
Banned businesses: Dublin does not allow some home businesses, including personal services other than tutoring, carpentry, animal grooming, medical offices and welding.

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

Fences and walls

Dublin code What Dublin's code adds
Corner visibility	Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 2 feet 6 inches tall. Applies: Traffic Visibility Area in Agricultural and Residential zoning districts. § 8.72.080 · code text Traffic Visibility Area. \| 2 feet 6 inches
Height anywhere on the lot	Fences can be at most 8 feet tall. Applies: Agricultural and Residential zoning districts, outside the required yards. § 8.72.080 · code text Outside of required yard. \| 8 feet A fence or wall can be up to 12 feet tall. Applies: Only where allowed by a Site Development Review. § 8.72.080 · code text A fence or wall may have a height of up to 12 feet where permitted by a Site Development Review.
Front yard height	Fences can be at most 4 feet tall. Applies: Front yards in Agricultural and Residential zoning districts. § 8.72.080 · code text Front Yard. \| 4 feet
Side and rear yard height	Fences can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: Side yards in Agricultural and Residential zoning districts. § 8.72.080 · code text Side Yard. \| 6 feet Fences can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: Street side yards in Agricultural and Residential zoning districts. § 8.72.080 · code text Street Side Yard. \| 6 feet Fences can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: Rear yards in Agricultural and Residential zoning districts. § 8.72.080 · code text Rear Yard. \| 6 feet Fences can reach 8 feet total with an extra 2 feet of framed wooden lattice. Applies: Side, street side or back yards in residential zones; the lattice must let through at least 50% of light. § 8.72.080 · code text A fence or wall in a Side Yard, Street Side Yard, or Back Yard in a residential zoning district may be extended an additional 2 feet (8 feet total height) through the use of a framed wooden lattice capable of admitting not less than 50% light.
Permit	A permit is required for a tree, fence or similar structure in a street. Applies: When planted, built or kept in a street. § 7.04.130 · code text No tree, fence, or similar structure shall be planted, erected, or maintained in a street without a permit.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Dublin code What Dublin's code adds
Maximum height	Detached accessory structures can be at most 15 feet tall. Applies: Unless the code says otherwise; on lots under 5,000 square feet the limit is 10 feet (8 feet for some enclosed structures). § 8.40.020 · code text Detached accessory structures, unless specified otherwise in this Chapter, shall have a maximum height of 15 feet.
Size or lot coverage	One rear yard accessory structure up to 120 square feet does not count toward coverage limits. Applies: One accessory structure in the rear yard. § 8.40.020 · code text One accessory structure in the Rear Yard with a maximum of 120 square feet shall be exempt from the Coverage Requirements. All accessory structures together can be at most 1,000 square feet. Applies: Lots of 5,000 square feet or more, unless the Zoning Administrator approves a larger size with a Conditional Use Permit. § 8.40.020 · code text For lots 5,000 square feet in size or larger, the combined maximum square footage of all accessory structures on a lot such as a detached accessory garage, workshop, studio, or office shall not exceed 1,000 square feet unless a larger size is approved by the Zoning Administrator by means of a Conditional Use Permit. Accessory structures can cover at most 30% of the required rear yard. Applies: All accessory structures except swimming pools. § 8.40.020 · code text The maximum coverage of the required Rear Yard by all accessory structures (with the exception of swimming pools) is 30%.
Side and rear setback	At least 10 feet from the street side lot line. Applies: Corner lots next to a key lot in R-1 or R-2 zoning districts. § 8.40.020 · code text On a corner lot in an R-1 or R-2 zoning district adjacent to a Key Lot no accessory structure shall be closer to the Street Side Lot Line than 10 feet.

Running a business from home

Dublin code What Dublin's code adds
Businesses not allowed	Adult Businesses Establishments; Personal Services (excluding tutoring); Carpentry or cabinet making; Dance or night club; Fortune telling; Grooming, breeding, boarding (day or night), training or raising of dogs, cats, or other animals; Medical and dental offices, clinics, and laboratories; Mini-storage; Repair (body or mechanical) or reupholstering of vehicle not owned by the resident; Repair Shops (of appliances, electronic equipment, furniture, and similar items as determined by the Director of Community Development), Fix-it shops, or plumbing shops; Eating and Drinking Establishments; Welding and machining; Other Home Occupations determined by the Director of Community Development to violate the Purpose and Intent or Limitations of Use § 8.64.040 · code text The following Home Occupations are in violation of the Purpose and Intent and/or the Limitations on Use section, and are prohibited:

Lot splits under SB 9

Dublin code What Dublin's code adds
How the lot may be divided	Each new parcel must be at least 40% of the original lot area. § 9.54.060 · code text Parcels shall not be smaller than forty percent (40%) of the lot area of the original parcel.
Minimum new lot size	At least 1,200 square feet. Applies: Minimum net area of each new parcel. § 9.54.060 · code text Each parcel shall have a minimum net area of one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet.
Setbacks	At least 4 feet. Applies: Applies to interior side and rear yards. § 8.81.060 · code text The minimum interior side and rear yard setback shall be four feet. At least 10 feet. Applies: Applies to the street side yard. § 8.81.060 · code text The minimum street side yard setback shall be 10 feet.
Standards	At most 2 units per parcel; standards must not prevent 2 units of at least 800 square feet each. § 8.81.060 · code text The objective standards set forth in this section shall not physically preclude a maximum of two units, comprising any combination of SB 9 Units and Primary Dwelling Unit, per parcel and shall not physically preclude each of those units from being at least 800 square feet in area. No more than 16 feet high. Applies: Applies to an SB 9 unit, or any part of it, within the zoning district's setbacks. § 8.81.060 · code text The maximum height of an SB 9 Unit, or any portion thereof, located within the setbacks established for the zoning district where the lot is located shall not exceed 16 feet. At least 15 feet of separation. Applies: Between a proposed upper story and an existing building on a neighboring property. § 8.81.060 · code text A minimum separation of 15 feet shall be provided between a proposed upper story and an existing single-story or multi-story structure on an adjacent property. Each new parcel must be at least 30 feet wide. § 9.54.060 · code text Parcels shall have a minimum width of thirty (30) feet. Each new parcel must be at least 40 feet deep. § 9.54.060 · code text Parcels shall have a minimum depth of forty (40) feet. No more than 2 parcels. Applies: Applies to an urban lot split. § 9.54.060 · code text An urban lot split shall result in no more than two (2) parcels.
Owner occupancy	Applicant signs affidavit to live in the primary or SB 9 unit as principal residence for at least 3 years. Applies: Counted from approval; does not apply to a community land trust or qualified nonprofit corporation. § 9.54.060 · code text applicant intends to occupy the primary dwelling unit or an SB 9 unit as their principal residence for a minimum of three (3) years from the date of the approval of the subdivision.
Parking	At least 1 off-street parking space per unit. Applies: Not required within 1/2 mile walk of a high-quality transit corridor or major transit stop, or within 1 block of a car-share vehicle. § 8.81.060 · code text A minimum of one off-street parking space shall be provided per unit, except if the parcel is located within:

Solar panels and EV chargers

Dublin code What Dublin's code adds
Solar permit process	Priority review; permits are issued administratively when the application is complete and meets the checklist; only one inspection. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 7.96.070 · 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.

Tree removal

Dublin code What Dublin's code adds
Exemptions	Exempt: removing a heritage tree that is an immediate hazard to life or property, with city approval. Applies: Approval by the Director, City Engineer, Police Chief, Fire Chief, or their designee. § 5.60.050 · code text Removal of a heritage tree that presents an immediate hazard to life or property, with the approval of the Director, City Engineer, Police Chief, Fire Chief or their designee; Exempt: heritage tree removal specifically approved in a city-approved development plan, use permit, site review, or subdivision map. § 5.60.050 · code text Removal that is specifically approved as part of a city-approved planned development development plan, conditional use permit, site development review, or subdivision map; Exempt: pruning heritage trees in line with the International Society of Arboriculture pruning guidelines. § 5.60.050 · code text Pruning of heritage trees that conforms with the guidelines of the International Society of Arboriculture, Tree Pruning Guidelines, current edition, on file in the Community Development Department.
Permit to remove	Yes, a permit from the Director is required. Applies: Applies to removing any heritage tree from any property in Dublin. § 5.60.050 · code text No person may remove, cause to be removed, or effectively remove any heritage tree from any property within the city of Dublin without obtaining a permit from the Director.
Replacement trees	1 or more replacement trees of a set species, size and location may be required. Applies: As a condition of a heritage tree removal permit. § 5.60.060 · code text The Director or the reviewing body having final authority over the development may grant or deny the application or grant the application with conditions, including the condition that one (1) or more replacement trees be planted of a designated species, size and location.

Other Dublin rules on this

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

Permit to keep more dogs or cats, or livestock (§ 5.36.030)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Dublin?

In residential and agricultural districts, Dublin limits fences to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side, street side and rear yards.

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

Dublin limits detached accessory structures to 15 feet, or 10 feet on lots under 5,000 square feet, and 30% of the required rear yard.

Can I run a business from my home in Dublin?

Dublin does not allow some home businesses, including personal services other than tutoring, carpentry, animal grooming, medical offices and welding.

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Dublin?

Dublin's code: Each new parcel must be at least 40% of the original lot area. (§ 9.54.060); At least 1,200 square feet. (Minimum net area of each new parcel.) (§ 9.54.060).

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

Dublin's code: Priority review; permits are issued administratively when the application is complete and meets the checklist; only one inspection. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 7.96.070).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Dublin?

Dublin's code: Exempt: removing a heritage tree that is an immediate hazard to life or property, with city approval. (Approval by the Director, City Engineer, Police Chief, Fire Chief, or their designee.) (§ 5.60.050); Exempt: heritage tree removal specifically approved in a city-approved development plan, use permit, site review, or subdivision map. (§ 5.60.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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