Fontana · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Fontana

Fontana sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the setback and the material, and accessory size depends on lot size and the home's living area.

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Key points

Fence height: Fontana limits fences in interior side and rear setbacks to 6 feet; front-setback limits are 3 to 5 feet, depending on material.
Sheds: Fontana limits sheds to 8 feet tall and 120 square feet, set at least 3 feet from side and rear property lines.
Home businesses: Fontana requires a home occupation permit and generally allows no clients, customers or non-resident employees.

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

Fences and walls

Fontana code What Fontana's code adds
Corner visibility	No fence, hedge or wall over 30 inches in the corner triangle reaching 30 feet along each property line. Applies: Corner and reversed corner lots. § 30-464 · code text No fence, hedge or wall may exceed a height of 30 inches if located within the corner cutoff of a property.
Height anywhere on the lot	Walls and fences may be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Along interior side and rear property lines, not within the front or street side setback; single-family and multi-family sites. § 30-389 · code text Interior side and rear property line \| 6 feet
Front yard height	Wrought iron or tubular steel decorative fencing may be up to 5 feet tall, measured at the sidewalk. Applies: Required front setback only. Any pilasters: at least 10 feet on center, at most 18 inches wide. Owner must first confirm sight distance in writing. § 30-464 · code text Wrought iron and/or tubular steel decorative fencing, with or without solid pilasters, at a maximum height of five feet measured at the adjacent sidewalk elevation, may be permitted Wrought iron or tubular steel fencing with pilasters and solid masonry filler may be up to 5 feet tall. Applies: In the required front setback, measured at the sidewalk. The solid filler may be no more than 3.5 feet. § 30-464 · code text Wrought iron and/or tubular steel fencing with pilasters, in combination with a solid, decorative masonry wall "filler," with a maximum height of five feet measured at the side-walk elevation to the highest point of the fence Solid hedges, walls and fences may be no more than 42 inches tall, measured from the sidewalk. Applies: In the required front setback. Includes vinyl fencing, open or privacy. § 30-464 · code text Vinyl fencing, open or privacy, shall not exceed three and one-half feet (42 inches) as measured from the adjacent sidewalk. Solid walls may be no more than 3 feet tall. Applies: Within the front or street side setback on single-family and multi-family sites. § 30-389 · code text Solid wall \| 3 feet Open fencing may be no more than 4 feet tall. Applies: Within the front or street side setback on single-family and multi-family sites. § 30-389 · code text Open fencing \| 4 feet
Side and rear yard height	Side and rear hedges, walls and fences may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: In required side or rear setbacks. § 30-464 · code text Side and rear hedges, walls, and fences (including vinyl), located in required side or rear setbacks shall not exceed six feet in height. The 6-foot limit may be raised to at most 8 feet. Applies: When neighboring properties differ in elevation, or other special circumstances exist, as decided by the Director of Community Development. § 30-464 · code text The maximum height of six feet can be increased to a maximum of eight feet in height when adjacent properties differ in elevation or other special circumstances exist as determined by the Director of Community Development. A retaining wall plus a hedge, wall or fence may total no more than 9 feet. Applies: When the combination is needed for proper site drainage to a public right-of-way. § 30-464 · code text no combination of retaining wall and hedges, walls, or fences shall exceed a combined total height of nine feet as measured from the exterior, future adjoining grade. A retaining wall plus a hedge, wall or fence may total no more than 6 feet. Applies: Along the street side setback of a reverse corner lot. § 30-464 · code text Combined retaining and hedge(s), walls(s) or fence(s) shall not be permitted to exceed six feet in height along the street side setback of a reverse corner lot. Walls and fences may be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Along interior side and rear property lines on single-family and multi-family sites. § 30-389 · code text Interior side and rear property line \| 6 feet

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Fontana code What Fontana's code adds
Maximum height	Sheds may be no more than 8 feet tall. Applies: Applies to sheds. § 30-461 · code text The shed does not exceed eight feet in height.
Size or lot coverage	Up to 1,000 square feet or 25% of the main home's living area, whichever is greater. Applies: Attached private garages and carports on lots under 1 net acre. § 30-461 · code text On lots of less than one net acre, the total area is not to exceed 1,000 square feet or 25 percent of the living area of the principal residence, whichever is greater. Up to 1,500 square feet or 25% of the main home's living area, whichever is greater. Applies: Attached private garages and carports on lots of 1 net acre or more but under 2 acres. § 30-461 · code text On lots of one net acre or larger but less than two acres, the area shall not exceed 1,500 square feet or 25 percent of the living area of the principal residence, whichever is greater. Up to 2,000 square feet or 25% of the main home's living area, whichever is greater. Applies: Attached private garages and carports on lots of 2 acres or more. § 30-461 · code text On lots of two acres or larger, the area shall not exceed 2,000 square feet or 25 percent of the living area of the principal residence, whichever is greater. Up to 1,000 square feet or 25% of the main home's living area, whichever is greater. Applies: All detached carports, storage buildings, workshops, hobby shops, recreation rooms, ground-mounted solar panels and similar uses combined; lots under 1 net acre. § 30-461 · code text On lots of less than one net acres, the combined area of all such structures shall not exceed 1,000 square feet or 25 percent of the living area of the principal residence, however, whichever is greater. Up to 1,500 square feet or 25% of the main home's living area, whichever is greater. Applies: All detached carports, storage buildings, workshops, hobby shops, recreation rooms, ground-mounted solar panels and similar uses combined; lots of 1 to under 2 net acres. § 30-461 · code text On lots of one net acre or larger but less than two net acres, the combined area shall not exceed 1,500 square feet or 25 percent of the living area of the principal residence, whichever is greater. Up to 2,000 square feet or 25% of the main home's living area, whichever is greater. Applies: All detached carports, storage buildings, workshops, hobby shops, recreation rooms, ground-mounted solar panels and similar uses combined; lots of 2 net acres or more. § 30-461 · code text On lots of two net acres or larger, the combined area shall not exceed 2,000 square feet or 25 percent of the living area of the principal residence, whichever is greater. Lot coverage may be no more than 50%. Applies: Where the zoning district does not set a lot coverage. Detached garages count toward it. § 30-461 · code text Lot coverages not specifically identified in zoning districts shall have a maximum lot coverage of 50 percent. Sheds may be no more than 120 square feet of floor area. Applies: Applies to sheds. § 30-461 · code text The size of the shed does not exceed 120 square feet in floor area.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from each side property line, and at least 15 feet for both sides combined. Applies: General accessory buildings and structures. § 30-461 · code text Side \| 5-Foot Min. 15-Foot Aggregate At least 10 feet from the rear property line. Applies: General accessory buildings and structures. § 30-461 · code text Rear \| 10-Foot At least 7 feet from the side property line. Applies: Two-story accessory buildings. § 30-461 · code text Side \| 7-Foot At least 25 feet from the rear property line. Applies: Two-story accessory buildings. § 30-461 · code text Rear \| 25-Foot Sheds must be at least 3 feet from the side property line. Applies: Applies to sheds. § 30-461 · code text Side \| 3-Foot Sheds must be at least 3 feet from the rear property line. Applies: Applies to sheds. § 30-461 · code text Rear \| 3-Foot At least 10 feet from side and rear property lines. Applies: Accessory buildings in the R-4 and R-5 zones. § 30-449 · code text Distance between an accessory building and side and rear property lines shall be no less than ten feet.
Distance from the house	Accessory buildings must be at least 6 feet from the main building. Applies: The same 6-foot minimum applies when the two are connected by a breezeway. § 30-461 · code text All accessory buildings shall be located a minimum distance of six feet from the primary structure. If the two structures are connected by a breezeway, the minimum distance shall also be six feet. Accessory buildings must be at least 6 feet from any home. Applies: Accessory buildings in the R-4 and R-5 zones. § 30-449 · code text Distance between an accessory building and any dwelling unit shall be no less than six feet.

Running a business from home

Fontana code What Fontana's code adds
Customer visits	No clients or customers on the property at any time. Applies: Unless the Planning Division decides the nature of the business warrants limited customer traffic. § 30-262 · code text There shall be no clients or customers on the premises at any time, except where the Planning Division determines that limited customer traffic may be warranted due to the nature of the business.
Employees	No employees other than people who live in the home. Applies: Babysitters and domestic servants do not count as employees of the business. § 30-262 · code text No employees other than residents of the dwelling shall be allowed in connection with a home occupation. (Babysitters or domestic servants are not considered employees of a home occupation.)
Permit	A home occupation permit is required. § 30-262 · code text If a home occupation is to be conducted on rental property, the property owner's authorization for the proposed use shall be obtained prior to the issuance of a home occupation permit.
Businesses not allowed	Automotive repair (body or mechanical), upholstery and painting; barber and beauty services; medical offices, clinics and laboratories; cannabis dispensaries and sales; household appliance repairing; welding; businesses dealing with firearms, ammunition, explosives, or ancillary products; similar uses as determined by the Director of Community Development § 30-263 · code text The following uses, either by operation or nature, are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities and shall therefore not be permitted as home occupations:

RV and boat parking

Fontana code What Fontana's code adds
Parking on the street	No more than 4 hours in a row. Applies: Applies to oversized vehicles on a public street or right of way in residential zones. § 17-162 · code text No person shall park, or leave standing, on any public street or right of way, in any area zoned by the city as residential, any oversized vehicle for a period longer than four consecutive hours.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Fontana code What Fontana's code adds
EV charger permit	Administrative, nondiscretionary fast review with standard checklists. Applies: Applies to electric vehicle charging stations. § 5-611 · code text The building official shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review process for electric vehicle charging station systems, which shall include standard checklist(s).
Solar permit process	Administrative, nondiscretionary fast review with a standard plan and checklist. Applies: Applies to small rooftop home solar systems. § 5-604 · code text The building official shall, prior to September 30, 2015, adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems, which shall include standard plan(s) and checklist(s).

Swimming pools

Fontana code What Fontana's code adds
Equipment and alarms	Side-yard pool equipment keeps 3 feet of clear space from the fence and needs Director-approved sound reduction devices. Applies: Applies to side yards with a fence; no setback if the property has a block wall. § 30-466 · code text Side: Three feet of clear space is to be maintained between the fence and the equipment and provided the equipment can be installed with sound attenuation device(s) subject to approval of the Community Development Director. Pool equipment may not be next to or below a first-story bedroom window. § 30-466 · code text Pool equipment may be placed adjacent to exterior air conditioning equipment, provided the pool equipment is not located adjacent to or below a first-story bedroom window of the home.
Setback from property lines	At least 5 feet from interior and rear property lines. Applies: Applies to lots of 5,000 square feet or more; 3 feet on smaller lots. § 30-466 · code text Further, no swimming pool, slide, water fall, spa or hot tub shall be located within the ten-foot street side setback area, or within five feet of an interior or rear property line, except when the lot is less than 5,000 square feet in area, a swimming pool, spa or hot tub may be located a minimum of five feet from the street side property line and a minimum of three feet of an interior or rear property line. At least 3 feet from interior and rear property lines. Applies: Applies to lots under 5,000 square feet. § 30-466 · code text Further, no swimming pool, slide, water fall, spa or hot tub shall be located within the ten-foot street side setback area, or within five feet of an interior or rear property line, except when the lot is less than 5,000 square feet in area, a swimming pool, spa or hot tub may be located a minimum of five feet from the street side property line and a minimum of three feet of an interior or rear property line. At least 10 feet from the street-side property line. Applies: Applies to lots of 5,000 square feet or more; 5 feet on smaller lots. § 30-466 · code text Further, no swimming pool, slide, water fall, spa or hot tub shall be located within the ten-foot street side setback area, or within five feet of an interior or rear property line, except when the lot is less than 5,000 square feet in area, a swimming pool, spa or hot tub may be located a minimum of five feet from the street side property line and a minimum of three feet of an interior or rear property line. At least 5 feet from the street-side property line. Applies: Applies to lots under 5,000 square feet. § 30-466 · code text Further, no swimming pool, slide, water fall, spa or hot tub shall be located within the ten-foot street side setback area, or within five feet of an interior or rear property line, except when the lot is less than 5,000 square feet in area, a swimming pool, spa or hot tub may be located a minimum of five feet from the street side property line and a minimum of three feet of an interior or rear property line.

Other Fontana rules on this

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

Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 30-302.1)
Permit to remove a heritage, significant or specimen tree (§ 28-64)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Fontana?

Fontana limits fences in interior side and rear setbacks to 6 feet; front-setback limits are 3 to 5 feet, depending on material.

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

Fontana limits sheds to 8 feet tall and 120 square feet, set at least 3 feet from side and rear property lines.

Can I run a business from my home in Fontana?

Fontana requires a home occupation permit and generally allows no clients, customers or non-resident employees.

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

Fontana's code: No more than 4 hours in a row. (Applies to oversized vehicles on a public street or right of way in residential zones.) (§ 17-162).

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

Fontana's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary fast review with standard checklists. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 5-611); Administrative, nondiscretionary fast review with a standard plan and checklist. (Applies to small rooftop home solar systems.) (§ 5-604).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Fontana?

Fontana's code: Side-yard pool equipment keeps 3 feet of clear space from the fence and needs Director-approved sound reduction devices. (Applies to side yards with a fence; no setback if the property has a block wall.) (§ 30-466); Pool equipment may not be next to or below a first-story bedroom window. (§ 30-466).

General information, not legal advice.

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