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Fowler · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Fowler

Fowler sets its own limits on fences and accessory structures, and has its own chapter on home occupation permits. Fence height depends on the yard and corner-lot location.

Ask about building on your lot in Fowler See coverage

Key points

  • Fence height: Fowler limits fences to 42 inches in the required front yard setback and 6 feet in required side and rear setbacks.
  • Accessory structures: Fowler limits detached accessory structures to 16 feet tall and 600 square feet, unless an Administrative Approval allows more.
  • Home businesses: Fowler has its own chapter on home occupation permits.

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

Fences and walls

Fowler code What Fowler's code adds
Front yard height
  • Fences and walls may be no more than 42 inches tall.
    Applies: In the required front yard setback.
    § 9.190.050 · code text
    Forty-two (42) inches in height within the required front yard setback.
  • Courtyard walls and fences may be up to 60 inches tall.
    Applies: In the required front yard setback, but not between the front property line and the 50% setback line.
    § 9.190.050 · code text
    Within the required front yard setback not including in that area described by Subsection (B)(5)(a) of this Section, the maximum wall and fence height for courtyards shall be sixty (60) inches.
  • Courtyard walls and fences may be no more than 42 inches tall.
    Applies: Between the front property line and a line at 50% of the required front yard setback.
    § 9.190.050 · code text
    the maximum wall and fence height for courtyards shall be forty-two (42) inches.
  • Fences and walls may be no more than 42 inches tall.
    Applies: Normal and reverse corner lots, along the street or alley side lot line in the required front yard. Must be at least 50% open.
    § 9-5.21.09 · code text
    Fences and walls shall be fifty (50) percent or more open and shall not exceed a maximum height of forty-two (42) inches.
Side and rear yard height
  • Fences and walls may be no more than 6 feet tall.
    Applies: In the required side yard and rear yard setbacks.
    § 9.190.050 · code text
    Six (6) feet in height within the required side yard and rear yard setbacks.
  • A combination wall or fence may be up to 8 feet tall.
    Applies: Rear or side yard in any residential district. At least 6 feet must be solid; the top 2 feet at least 50% open to light.
    § 9.190.060 · code text
    On the rear or side yard of any residential district, a combination wall or fence of up to eight (8) feet is allowed.
  • A wall may be up to 12 feet tall.
    Applies: Residential parcels next to the freeway with a solid masonry wall, after the Community Development Director approves a noise study.
    § 9.190.060 · code text
    Residential parcels adjacent to the freeway where a solid masonry wall is provided may be permitted to increase the height of the wall by up to six (6) feet for a maximum height of twelve (12) feet based on submission and approval of a noise study to the Community Development Director.
  • Fences and walls may be no more than 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Normal corner lots, along the side lot line from the rear lot line to the front yard area.
    § 9-5.21.09 · code text
    Fences and walls shall not exceed six (6) feet in height; provided, however, if a garage or carport is constructed with entrance from the side street, the fence or wall shall not exceed forty-two (42) inches in height from the carport to the front line.
  • Fences and walls may be no more than 42 inches tall.
    Applies: Normal corner lots with a garage or carport entrance from the side street, from the carport to the front line.
    § 9-5.21.09 · code text
    if a garage or carport is constructed with entrance from the side street, the fence or wall shall not exceed forty-two (42) inches in height from the carport to the front line.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Fowler code What Fowler's code adds
Maximum height
  • Detached accessory structures may be no more than 16 feet tall overall.
    Applies: Measured as overall building height.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    Not exceed a building plate height of twelve (12) feet and an overall building height of sixteen (16) feet.
  • Detached accessory structures may have a plate height of no more than 12 feet.
    Applies: Measured as building plate height.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    Not exceed a building plate height of twelve (12) feet and an overall building height of sixteen (16) feet.
  • Outdoor fireplaces may be no more than 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Applies to outdoor fireplaces.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    Outdoor fireplaces shall not exceed a total height of six (6) feet.
  • Playground structures may be no more than 12 feet tall.
    Applies: Applies to playground structures.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    Playground structures shall not exceed a total height of twelve (12) feet.
Size or lot coverage
  • Detached accessory structures may be no more than 600 square feet.
    Applies: Structures 6 feet or more from the main structure. An Administrative Approval can allow more.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    Not exceed a maximum of six-hundred (600) square feet.
  • They may take up no more than 20% of the length of the required rear yard.
    Applies: Outdoor fireplaces, playground structures and similar structures; length measured between side lot lines.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    Such structures shall occupy no more than twenty (20) percent of the length of the required rear yard, measured between side lot lines.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 12 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: Detached accessory structures in R-1-12 districts.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    R-1-12 | 12 feet
  • At least 10 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: Detached accessory structures in R-1-10 districts.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    R-1-10 | 10 feet
  • At least 8.5 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: Detached accessory structures in R-1-8.5 districts.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    R-1-8.5 | 8.5 feet
  • At least 7 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: Detached accessory structures in R-1-7 districts.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    R-1-7 | 7 feet
  • At least 6 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: Detached accessory structures in R-1-6 districts.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    R-1-6 | 6 feet
  • At least 5 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: Detached accessory structures in R-1-5 districts.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    R-1-5 | 5 feet
  • At least 5 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: Detached accessory structures in RM districts.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    RM districts | 5 feet
  • At least 4 feet from the side property line.
    Applies: Outdoor fireplaces, playground structures and similar structures in the rear one-third of a lot.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    Not be located any closer than four (4) feet from the side property line if located within the rear one-third of a lot.
  • At least 4 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: Outdoor fireplaces, playground structures and similar structures.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    Not be located any closer than four (4) feet from the rear property line.
No permit needed up to
  • No building permit is needed for an accessory structure of 120 square feet or less.
    Applies: A building permit is required for any accessory structure over 120 square feet.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    A building permit shall be required for any accessory structure over one-hundred twenty (120) square feet in area.
Distance from the house
  • Accessory structures 6 feet or more from the main structure follow the detached-structure rules.
    Applies: Closer structures must meet the main structure's coverage, height and setback rules.
    § 9-5.21.05 · code text
    Accessory structures constructed six (6) feet or more from the main structure shall:

RV and boat parking

Fowler code What Fowler's code adds
Where it may be parked
  • Behind the required front or street-side setback inside a solid wall or fence, or in a garage or carport.
    Applies: Applies to storing an RV (more than 72 hours) in R zones.
    § 9-5.2004 · code text
    No recreational vehicle shall be stored in any "R" zone, except to the rear of a required front yard or street side yard setback, within an area enclosed by a solid wall or fence not less than five (5) feet nor more than six (6) feet in height, or within a garage or carport.
  • RVs are exempt from these rules for up to 8 hours in any 24 hours while loading or unloading.
    Applies: An exception to the RV rules of this section.
    § 9-5.2004 · code text
    Recreational vehicles are exempt from these requirements for a maximum of eight (8) hours within any twenty-four-hour period for the purpose of loading and unloading.
Screening and surface
  • A solid wall or fence at least 5 feet and no more than 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Applies to RV storage in R zones behind the required front or street-side setback.
    § 9-5.2004 · code text
    No recreational vehicle shall be stored in any "R" zone, except to the rear of a required front yard or street side yard setback, within an area enclosed by a solid wall or fence not less than five (5) feet nor more than six (6) feet in height, or within a garage or carport.
  • Keep the ground clear of undergrowth, litter or debris.
    Applies: Applies under and around all parked or stored vehicles and equipment.
    § 9-5.2004 · code text
    The ground under and surrounding any parked recreational vehicle shall be kept free of undergrowth, litter, or debris.
Parking on the street
  • The city's 72-hour limit on public street parking applies.
    Applies: Applies to RVs on a public street.
    § 9-5.2004 · code text
    Parking of recreational vehicles on a public street shall be subject to Fowler Municipal Code Section 4-4.204—Parking for More Than 72 Hours.
Living in an RV
  • Not allowed.
    Applies: While parked or stored; guests may use 1 extra RV on private property up to 7 days in a row or 14 days a year.
    § 9-5.2004 · code text
    Recreational vehicles are not to be occupied or used for living or sleeping while parked or stored; provided guests of the owner may occupy one (1) recreational vehicle in addition to those permitted herein to be parked on private property only for not more than seven (7) days consecutively or fourteen (14) days in any calendar year.

Tree removal

Fowler code What Fowler's code adds
Exemptions
  • Emergency removal without a Tree Removal Permit.
    Applies: Applies when a protected private tree is an imminent danger to life or property and the Community Development Director orders removal.
    § 9.165.080 · code text
    In case of emergency, when a protected private tree is imminently hazardous or a danger to life or property, it may be removed by order of the Community Development Director or their designee without a Tree Removal Permit.
Permit to remove
  • Yes, a Tree Removal Permit is required to remove or heavily prune any protected private tree.
    Applies: Heavy pruning means cutting over ¼ of live branches or roots in 12 months; permits need good cause, such as a dead tree.
    § 9.165.080 · code text
    It is unlawful for any person to perform major pruning, remove, or cause to be removed, any protected private tree from any parcel of property in the City, without obtaining a Tree Removal Permit in accordance with Subsection (D) (Tree Removal Permit Process) of this Section, unless excepted otherwise specified in this Section.
Protected trees
  • All trees with a trunk circumference of 55 inches or more, measured 54 inches above grade.
    § 9.165.080 · code text
    The standards in this Section apply to "protected private trees," which shall mean all trees which have a trunk diameter with a circumference of fifty-five (55) inches or more, measured fifty-four (54) inches above grade.

Pets, chickens and bees

Fowler code What Fowler's code adds
Large animals
  • Farm animals are allowed only in zones where the zoning code specifically permits them.
    § 6-1.303 · code text
    No person shall keep or maintain any farm animals except as follows:
Pet limit
  • Up to 4 household pets in any mix; no more than 2 may be potbellied pigs.
    § 6-1.301 · code text
    The maximum number of household pets allowed in a household or on any premises shall be four (4) animals in any combination. Of those four (4) animals, no more than two (2) may be potbellied pigs.
  • No more than 2 Vietnamese potbellied pigs.
    Applies: Applies per single-family residence.
    § 6-1.302 · code text
    No more than two (2) Vietnamese potbellied pigs shall be permitted at any one single-family residence.
  • Vietnamese potbellied pigs are not allowed.
    Applies: Applies to multifamily dwellings.
    § 6-1.302 · code text
    Pigs are prohibited from any multiple-family dwelling.

Other Fowler rules on this

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

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Fowler?

Fowler limits fences to 42 inches in the required front yard setback and 6 feet in required side and rear setbacks.

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

Fowler limits detached accessory structures to 16 feet tall and 600 square feet, unless an Administrative Approval allows more.

Can I run a business from my home in Fowler?

Fowler has its own chapter on home occupation permits. Fowler also has a related rule: Home occupation permit (Ch. 9.50).

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

Fowler's code: Behind the required front or street-side setback inside a solid wall or fence, or in a garage or carport. (Applies to storing an RV (more than 72 hours) in R zones.) (§ 9-5.2004); A solid wall or fence at least 5 feet and no more than 6 feet tall. (Applies to RV storage in R zones behind the required front or street-side setback.) (§ 9-5.2004).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Fowler?

Fowler's code: Emergency removal without a Tree Removal Permit. (Applies when a protected private tree is an imminent danger to life or property and the Community Development Director orders removal.) (§ 9.165.080); Yes, a Tree Removal Permit is required to remove or heavily prune any protected private tree. (Heavy pruning means cutting over ¼ of live branches or roots in 12 months; permits need good cause, such as a dead tree.) (§ 9.165.080).

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

Fowler's code: Farm animals are allowed only in zones where the zoning code specifically permits them. (§ 6-1.303); Up to 4 household pets in any mix; no more than 2 may be potbellied pigs. (§ 6-1.301).

General information, not legal advice.

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Fowler Municipal Code — full text

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