Etna · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Etna

Etna sets its own rules for fences and home businesses. Fences need a permit, and fence height depends on the yard and corner sight lines.

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Key points

Fence height: Etna requires a fence permit and limits fences to 4 feet in the front yard setback and 6 feet in rear and side setbacks.
Home businesses: Etna limits home businesses to 25% of the home or 400 square feet, whichever is less, with no non-resident employees.

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

Fences and walls

Etna code What Etna's code adds
Corner visibility	No fence, hedge or wall over 3 feet in the corner triangle; taller needs a use permit showing no hazard. Applies: Corner lots: a triangle of 25 feet along each street, or 10 feet along each alley, from the intersection. § 17.76.120 · code text the street intersection of a corner lot shall have no fence, hedge, wall, or equivalent screening exceeding three feet in height within a triangle of 25 feet along the side of each street, or 10 feet along the side of each alley, as measured from the intersection
Front yard height	No higher than 4 feet. Applies: Front yard setback; 2 more feet may be approved for slopes, grade differences or animal control, but not within 5 feet of the front line. § 17.76.120 · code text nor shall any fence, wall, hedge, or equivalent screening exceed four feet in height within the area encompassed by the front yard setback. No higher than 6 feet. Applies: When no front yard setback is required; in a front yard or along the front lot line. § 17.76.120 · code text When there is no requirement for a front yard setback, the maximum height of any fence, wall, hedge, or equivalent screening within a front yard or along the front lot line shall be limited to six feet.
Side and rear yard height	No higher than 6 feet. Applies: In the rear yard setback, or the side yard setback up to the front yard setback line. § 17.76.120 · code text No fence or wall shall hereafter be constructed to exceed six feet in height within the area encompassed by the rear yard setback or the side yard setback to the front yard setback line
Permit	Yes. An administrative fence permit is required before installing any fence or wall. Applies: Applies to any fence or wall. § 17.76.120 · code text An administrative fence permit shall be obtained from the city prior to the installation of any fence or wall.

Running a business from home

Etna code What Etna's code adds
Space used	No more than 25% of the home's floor area or 400 square feet, whichever is less. § 17.80.040 · code text The activity occupies no more than 25% of the floor area of the dwelling unit or 400 square feet, whichever is less.
Customer visits	No more than 1 client or customer at the home at the same time. Applies: Minors with a parent or guardian are an exception. § 17.80.040 · code text Except for minors accompanied by a parent or guardian, no more than one client/customer is permitted at the residence at the same time. No more than 4 customer or client visits per day. Applies: Applies to customer or client visits in general. § 17.80.040 · code text Customer or client visits are limited to four per day or six per day for personal instruction services (e.g., musical instruction or training, art lessons, academic tutoring). No more than 6 visits per day. Applies: Personal instruction services, such as music lessons, art lessons or academic tutoring. § 17.80.040 · code text Customer or client visits are limited to four per day or six per day for personal instruction services (e.g., musical instruction or training, art lessons, academic tutoring).
Employees	No employees at the home other than the people who live there. § 17.80.040 · code text No person shall be employed by the home occupation at the premises other than the resident(s) of the dwelling.
Permit	A business license and a home occupation permit are required. § 17.80.040 · code text Subject to issuance of a business license and a home occupation permit, home occupations are permitted in all zoning districts that permit residential uses subject to the following standards:
Businesses not allowed	animal-related services, including grooming or personal care, requiring animals to be present on the residential property § 17.80.040 · code text No animal-related services, including grooming or personal care, requiring animals to be present on the residential property shall be allowed on the premises.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Etna code What Etna's code adds
EV charger permit	Reviewed administratively as a nondiscretionary permit. § 15.14.060 · code text The application shall be administratively reviewed by the building official as a nondiscretionary permit.

Pets, chickens and bees

Etna code What Etna's code adds
Pet limit	No more than 3 dogs over 4 months old. Applies: Per person or dwelling. § 6.06.090 · code text No person, dwelling, or other structure shall keep or maintain more than three dogs which are over the age of four months.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Etna?

Etna requires a fence permit and limits fences to 4 feet in the front yard setback and 6 feet in rear and side setbacks.

Can I run a business from my home in Etna?

Etna limits home businesses to 25% of the home or 400 square feet, whichever is less, with no non-resident employees.

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

Etna's code: Reviewed administratively as a nondiscretionary permit. (§ 15.14.060).

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

Etna's code: No more than 3 dogs over 4 months old. (Per person or dwelling.) (§ 6.06.090).

General information, not legal advice.

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