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Exeter · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Exeter

Exeter sets its own rules for pool enclosures, the number of cats and dogs, and EV charger permits. Accessory structures and home occupations have their own sections in the zoning code.

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Key points

  • Pool fences: Exeter requires a fence at least 4 and no more than 6 feet high completely around a pool, its lot or premises.
  • Pool gates: Pool gates and doors need self-closing, self-latching devices, and the enclosure may have no opening larger than 6 inches square.
  • Cats and dogs: Exeter allows at most 4 cats and dogs combined over 4 months old; animal control may allow a fifth for up to 30 days.
  • EV chargers: Exeter gives EV chargers administrative review; a complete application that meets the standards and checklist may not be denied.
  • Accessory structures: Exeter covers accessory structures in zoning code § 17.64.02.
  • Home businesses: Exeter covers running a business from home in its home occupation rules, zoning code § 17.64.07.

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

Solar panels and EV chargers

Exeter code What Exeter's code adds
EV charger permit
  • Administrative review; a complete application that meets the required standards and approved checklist will not be denied.
    Applies: EV charging stations with no specific, adverse impact on public health or safety.
    § 15.56.060 · code text
    The building official shall implement an administrative review process to expedite approval of electric vehicle charging stations.
  • No permit needed unless changes materially alter the station's size, type or components.
    Applies: EV charging stations legally set up or permitted before the ordinance took effect.
    § 15.56.030 · code text
    All electric vehicle charging stations legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall not require a permit issued under this section unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type, or components of an electric vehicle charging station.

Swimming pools

Exeter code What Exeter's code adds
Pool barrier
  • No opening larger than 6 inches square, other than doors or gates.
    § 8.28.010 · code text
    with no opening therein, other than doors or gates, larger than six inches square.
  • The fence or other solid structure must be maintained at all times and fully surround the pool, lot or premises.
    § 8.28.010 · code text
    shall at all times maintain on the lot or premises upon which such pool is located and completely surrounding such pool, lot or premises, a fence or other solid structure
Barrier height
  • At least 4 feet and no more than 6 feet high.
    Applies: The fence or other solid structure around a swimming pool.
    § 8.28.010 · code text
    a fence or other solid structure not less than four feet nor more than six feet in height
Gates
  • All gates and doors need a self-closing, self-latching device that keeps them securely closed when not in actual use.
    Applies: A dwelling door that forms part of the enclosure is exempt.
    § 8.28.010 · code text
    All gates or doors opening through such enclosure shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device designed to keep, and capable of keeping, such door or gate securely closed at all times when not in actual use; provided, however, that the door of any dwelling occupied by human beings and forming any part of the enclosure required in this section need not be so equipped.
Permit
  • Pool plans must show the barrier rules are met; final inspection and approval are withheld until they are.
    § 8.28.020 · code text
    All plans hereafter submitted to the city for swimming pools to be constructed shall show compliance with the requirements of Section 8.28.010 of this chapter, and final inspection and approval of all pools hereafter constructed shall be withheld until all requirements of Section 8.28.010 shall have been complied with.

Pets, chickens and bees

Exeter code What Exeter's code adds
Bees
  • No honeybee colonies may be kept.
    Applies: Between June 1 and October 1 of any year.
    § 6.08.070 · code text
    It shall be unlawful and a misdemeanor for any individual or entity to bring, have, keep, or maintain, within the city, at any time between the first day of June and the first day of October, in any year, any swarm or swarms, colony or colonies of honeybees.
Permit
  • The animal control officer may allow a 5th cat or dog for up to 30 days when shown necessary.
    Applies: This may be extended for temporary fostering.
    § 6.12.010 · code text
    Upon reasonable showing of necessity to the animal control officer, a person may be permitted to keep a fifth cat or dog for a period of time not to exceed thirty days.
Pet limit
  • No more than 4 cats and dogs combined over 4 months old.
    Applies: Unless one of the conditions listed in the code applies.
    § 6.12.010 · code text
    No person shall keep, harbor or maintain upon his premises within the city more than a total of four cats and/or dogs combined over the age of four months unless said person comes within one of the following conditions:

Other Exeter rules on this

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

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Exeter covers accessory structures in zoning code § 17.64.02. Exeter also has a related rule: Accessory structures (§ 17.64.02).

Can I run a business from my home in Exeter?

Exeter covers running a business from home in its home occupation rules, zoning code § 17.64.07. Exeter also has a related rule: Home occupations (§ 17.64.07).

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

Exeter gives EV chargers administrative review; a complete application that meets the standards and checklist may not be denied.

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Exeter?

Exeter requires a fence at least 4 and no more than 6 feet high completely around a pool, its lot or premises. Pool gates and doors need self-closing, self-latching devices, and the enclosure may have no opening larger than 6 inches square.

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

Exeter allows at most 4 cats and dogs combined over 4 months old; animal control may allow a fifth for up to 30 days.

General information, not legal advice.

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Exeter Municipal Code — full text

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