El Centro · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in El Centro

El Centro sets its own limits on fences and accessory buildings. Fence height depends on the yard and on whether the fence is solid or open.

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Key points

Fence height: El Centro limits fences to 6 feet behind the required front yard; in front, solid fences to 36 inches, open ones 48 inches.
Accessory buildings: In residential rear yards, El Centro limits accessory buildings to 50% of the required yard, with at least 6 feet between building walls.

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

Fences and walls

El Centro code What El Centro's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot	A solid fence or wall up to 36 inches high. Applies: Allowed anywhere on a lot, including the required front yard. § 29-144 · code text A thirty-six (36) inch high solid fence or wall may be located anywhere on a lot. An open fence up to 48 inches high. Applies: Allowed anywhere on a lot. § 29-144 · code text A forty-eight (48) inch high open fence may be located anywhere on a lot. No higher than 12 feet. Applies: Applies to a fence or wall within the main building area. § 29-144 · code text Within the main building area, a fence or wall may be no higher than twelve (12) feet.
Side and rear yard height	A fence or wall up to 6 feet high. Applies: Allowed anywhere behind the required front yard, except where driveway, street or alley visibility requires a cutback area. § 29-144 · code text Except where driveway, street or alley visibility requires a cutback area, a six (6) foot high fence or wall may be located anywhere on a lot behind the required front yard.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

El Centro code What El Centro's code adds
Size or lot coverage	May cover no more than 50% of the required yard. Applies: Accessory buildings in the rear yard of an interior lot in a residential zone. § 29-116 · code text Permitted in residential zones but may not cover more than 50% of the required yard May cover no more than 50% of the required yard. Applies: Rear yard of a corner lot in a residential zone; not within 50 feet of the front lot line. § 29-116 · code text Permitted in residential zones but shall not cover more than 50% of the required yard or be within a minimum 50 feet of the front lot line
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet between walls. Applies: A detached accessory building's walls must be at least this far from any main building wall or other accessory building wall on the lot. § 29-115 · code text no detached accessory building wall shall be closer than six (6) feet to any main building wall or other accessory building wall on the same lot or building site. At least 5 feet between eaves. Applies: A detached accessory building's eaves must be at least this far from any main building eaves or other accessory building eaves on the lot. § 29-115 · code text No detached accessory building eaves shall be closer than five (5) feet to any main building eaves or other accessory building eaves on the same lot or building site.

RV and boat parking

El Centro code What El Centro's code adds
Where it may be parked	RVs over 1 ton may not park on private property, except to load or unload. Applies: Residential zones; loading or unloading is limited to 24 hours at a time and 14 days a year. § 29-135 · code text The parking of commercially licensed vehicles and recreational vehicles in excess of one (1) ton capacity on private property in any residential zone is prohibited, except as follows:

Swimming pools

El Centro code What El Centro's code adds
Pool barrier	The barrier must block access by anyone other than the owners or occupants. § 18-11 · code text Every swimming pool shall be enclosed by a wall, fence or other structure having a minimum height of five (5) feet and constructed or installed so as to obstruct access thereto by persons other than the owners or occupants of the premises on which such swimming pool is located.
Barrier height	At least 5 feet high. § 18-11 · code text Every swimming pool shall be enclosed by a wall, fence or other structure having a minimum height of five (5) feet and constructed or installed so as to obstruct access thereto by persons other than the owners or occupants of the premises on which such swimming pool is located.
Gates	Gates must self-close and self-latch, with latches at least 4 feet above ground; keep them closed and latched always. § 18-11 · code text All gates and doors installed must be self-closing and self-latching, with latches placed at least four (4) feet above the ground level. All gates opening through such enclosure shall be kept securely closed and latched at all times.

Pets, chickens and bees

El Centro code What El Centro's code adds
Chickens	Yes, up to 2 poultry; more than 2 need a conditional use permit, which allows no more than 25. Applies: Applies as an accessory use to a single-family or two-family home. § 29-170 · code text Where more than two (2) such animals are kept on any premises, whether for pleasure or profit, a conditional use permit shall be required. In no case shall such conditional use permit allow more than twenty-five (25) such animals.
Large animals	Horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine and mules: allowed in the rural residential zone; elsewhere only as animal raising projects. Applies: Applies as an accessory use to a single-family or two-family home. § 29-170 · code text Horses, bovine animals, sheep, goats, swine, mules, and roosters. Permitted within the rural residential zone and not otherwise permitted except as an animal raising project as specified in sections 5-1 and 29-171. An animal raising project needs a lot of at least 6,000 square feet. Applies: Applies to projects under 4-H, FFA or a similar youth organization. § 29-171 · code text No such animal raising project shall be permitted on a lot less than six thousand (6,000) square feet in net area.
Permit	A conditional use permit is required for more than 10 birds. Applies: Applies as an accessory use to a single-family or two-family home. § 29-170 · code text Where more than ten (10) birds are kept on any premises, whether for pleasure of profit, a conditional use permit shall be required. A conditional use permit is needed for over 2 poultry, rabbits or other small animals; 25 maximum. Applies: Applies as an accessory use to a single-family or two-family home. § 29-170 · code text Where more than two (2) such animals are kept on any premises, whether for pleasure or profit, a conditional use permit shall be required. In no case shall such conditional use permit allow more than twenty-five (25) such animals. A temporary use permit is required. Applies: Animal raising projects under 4-H, FFA or a similar youth organization; the permit lasts up to 6 months. § 29-171 · code text A temporary use permit shall be required for such animal raising project for a period not to exceed six (6) months.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in El Centro?

El Centro limits fences to 6 feet behind the required front yard; in front, solid fences to 36 inches, open ones 48 inches.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in El Centro?

In residential rear yards, El Centro limits accessory buildings to 50% of the required yard, with at least 6 feet between building walls.

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

El Centro's code: RVs over 1 ton may not park on private property, except to load or unload. (Residential zones; loading or unloading is limited to 24 hours at a time and 14 days a year.) (§ 29-135).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in El Centro?

El Centro's code: The barrier must block access by anyone other than the owners or occupants. (§ 18-11); At least 5 feet high. (§ 18-11).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in El Centro?

El Centro's code: Yes, up to 2 poultry; more than 2 need a conditional use permit, which allows no more than 25. (Applies as an accessory use to a single-family or two-family home.) (§ 29-170); Horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine and mules: allowed in the rural residential zone; elsewhere only as animal raising projects. (Applies as an accessory use to a single-family or two-family home.) (§ 29-170).

General information, not legal advice.

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