Fortuna · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Fortuna

Fortuna sets its own rules for home businesses and corner-lot fences, and has its own sections on accessory buildings. Some businesses, such as auto repair and cabinetmaking, may not run from a home.

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Key points

Home businesses: Fortuna allows home businesses using up to 25% of the floor area, with resident family members as the only workers.
Corner lots: On residential corner lots, Fortuna limits fences, walls and hedges to 3 feet within 33 feet of the street lot line intersection.
Accessory buildings: Fortuna has its own sections on accessory buildings and uses.

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

Fences and walls

Fortuna code What Fortuna's code adds
Corner visibility	No fence, wall or hedge over 3 feet within 33 feet of where the street lot lines meet. Applies: Corner lots in any residential district. Between 3 and 10 feet high, only posts, columns or trees up to 1 foot wide may block vision. § 17.05.240 · code text In any residential district on a corner lot, there shall be no fence, wall, or hedge higher than three feet, nor any obstruction to vision other than a post, column, or tree not exceeding one foot in diameter between a height of three feet and a height of 10 feet above the established grade of either street, within an area 33 feet from the intersection of the street lot lines.

Running a business from home

Fortuna code What Fortuna's code adds
Space used	The business may use no more than 25% of the building's floor area. § 17.06.071 · code text The space utilized for a home occupation shall not exceed 25 percent of the floor area of the structure.
Employees	Only members of the family living in the home may be employed. § 17.06.071 · code text No person other than a member of the resident family shall be employed in a home occupation.
Permit	Allowed as an accessory use to any residential use, if it meets the performance standards. § 17.06.071 · code text Home occupations, as defined in FMC § 17.08.270, shall be permitted as accessory uses to any residential use, providing the use conforms and will continue to conform to the following performance standards.
Businesses not allowed	Automobile work or repair; rebuilding of automobile parts; cabinetmaking; firewood sales/storage; care, treatment, boarding, or breeding of animals; barbershop or beauty shop; antique shop, secondhand store, or similar retail use; teaching of organized classes totaling more than six persons at one time § 17.06.071 · code text The following activities and similar activities shall not in any case qualify as a home occupation:

Solar panels and EV chargers

Fortuna code What Fortuna's code adds
Solar permit process	Fast administrative review; permit in 1 to 3 business days when a complete application meets the checklist and standard plan. Applies: Applies to small rooftop home solar systems. § 15.67.060 · code text The building division shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit within one to three business days of receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Swimming pools

Fortuna code What Fortuna's code adds
Pool barrier	Openings no larger than 4 inches. § 17.06.186 · code text containing no openings greater than four inches except for self-closing and self-latching gates
Barrier height	At least 6 feet tall. § 17.06.186 · code text Such pool or the property on which it is located shall be completely enclosed by a wall or fence not less than six feet in height, containing no openings greater than four inches except for self-closing and self-latching gates
Gates	Gates must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch at least 4 feet above the ground. § 17.06.186 · code text except for self-closing and self-latching gates on which the latch is at least four feet above ground level
Setback from property lines	At least 5 feet from any lot line. Applies: Side and rear yards follow the accessory building rules, but never less than 5 feet. § 17.06.186 · code text Side and rear yards shall be as required for accessory buildings, but in no case within five feet of any lot line. On the rear half of the lot, at least 50 feet from the front lot line. Applies: Applies to the front lot line. § 17.06.186 · code text Such pool shall be located on the rear half of the lot and not less than 50 feet from the front lot line.
Equipment and alarms	Filter and heating systems at least 10 feet from any lot line. § 17.06.186 · code text Filter and heating systems shall not be located within 10 feet of any lot line.

Other Fortuna rules on this

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

Accessory buildings and uses (§ 17.06.001–17.06.002)
Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 17.09.020)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Fortuna?

On residential corner lots, Fortuna limits fences, walls and hedges to 3 feet within 33 feet of the street lot line intersection.

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

Fortuna has its own sections on accessory buildings and uses. Fortuna also has a related rule: Accessory buildings and uses (§ 17.06.001–17.06.002).

Can I run a business from my home in Fortuna?

Fortuna allows home businesses using up to 25% of the floor area, with resident family members as the only workers.

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

Fortuna's code: Fast administrative review; permit in 1 to 3 business days when a complete application meets the checklist and standard plan. (Applies to small rooftop home solar systems.) (§ 15.67.060).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Fortuna?

Fortuna's code: Openings no larger than 4 inches. (§ 17.06.186); At least 6 feet tall. (§ 17.06.186).

General information, not legal advice.

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