Galt · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Galt

Galt sets its own limits for fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on how far the fence stands from the street, and accessory structure setbacks depend on size and use.

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Key points

Fence height: In Galt, residential fences up to 3 ft need no setback; a 6-ft fence needs a 20-ft front setback or 5-ft street-side setback.
Accessory structures: Galt limits gazebos, patio covers and similar features to 12 ft; detached accessory structures of 120 sq ft or more need 10-ft rear setbacks.
Home businesses: Galt home businesses may use at most 20% of the floor area, including the garage, with 1 on-site employee and a home occupation permit.

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

Fences and walls

Galt code What Galt's code adds
Front yard height	Fences may be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Front yards on residential lots, only if the fence meets the 20-foot front setback. § 18.44.030.04 · code text 6 Feet Maximum Height – Only within the allowed minimum setback 3 Feet Maximum Height – No minimum setback requirement Footnote: 1 See Section 18.44.030.05(B) for Height Limits \| Front \| 20 feet Fences may be up to 3 feet tall. Applies: Front yards on residential lots. No minimum setback is needed. § 18.44.030.04 · code text 3 Feet Maximum Height – No minimum setback requirement Fences or walls may be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Front yards in the Downtown zoning district, at least 20 feet from the back of the street curb. § 18.28.070.08 · code text fences or walls up to six (6) feet in height may be constructed at a minimum of twenty (20) feet from the back of the street curb in the front yard
Side and rear yard height	Fences may be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Residential lots. May stand on the non-street side and rear property lines; must be set back 5 feet on a street side. § 18.44.030.04 · code text 6 Feet Maximum Height – Only within the allowed minimum setback 3 Feet Maximum Height – No minimum setback requirement Fences may be up to 3 feet tall. Applies: Residential street side yards. No minimum setback is needed. § 18.44.030.04 · code text 3 Feet Maximum Height – No minimum setback requirement

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Galt code What Galt's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Stationary barbecues, fireplaces, bars, fire pits and similar structures. § 18.16.060 · code text \| Stationary barbecue, stationary fire place, stationary bar, fire pit, and similar structures 3 Stationary fireplace chimneys exceeding 6 feet in height but not higher than 10 feet must comply with setbacks for main structure, Table 18.16-2 \| Maximum Height \| 6 feet \| No more than 12 feet tall. Applies: Other accessory structures and landscape features, not buildings, such as gazebos, arbors, patio covers, shade shelters, play equipment and recreational courts. § 18.16.060 · code text \| Other accessory structures and landscape features (excluding buildings) including gazebo, arbor, patio cover, shade shelters (attached or detached and permanent or temporary), outdoor play equipment, and recreational courts 4 (Does not include cargo containers or portable storage containers) \| Maximum Height \| 12 feet \| Water structures may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Pool slides over 6 feet, up to 10 feet, must meet the setbacks for the main structure. § 18.16.060 · code text Water structures may not exceed 6 feet in height.
Size or lot coverage	The floor area of detached accessory buildings counts toward the lot coverage of the whole site. Applies: Applies to detached accessory buildings. § 18.16.060 · code text The floor area of detached accessory buildings shall be included in the calculation for the lot coverage of the entire site.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from side or rear lot lines. Applies: Detached accessory structures under 120 square feet and 8 feet tall, not used for living. § 18.16.060 · code text \| Under 120 square feet and 8 feet in height and not used for human habitation \| Side \| 5 feet \| At least 5 feet from the side lot line. Applies: Detached accessory structures of 120 square feet or more, up to the height of the main structure. § 18.16.060 · code text \| 120 square feet or more and up to height of primary structure \| Side \| 5 feet \| At least 12.5 feet from the street side lot line. Applies: Detached accessory structures of 120 square feet or more, up to the height of the main structure. § 18.16.060 · code text \| 120 square feet or more and up to height of primary structure \| Street Side \| 12.5 feet (20 feet if a garage or carport) \| At least 20 feet from the street side lot line. Applies: Detached garages or carports of 120 square feet or more, up to the height of the main structure. § 18.16.060 · code text \| 120 square feet or more and up to height of primary structure \| Street Side \| 12.5 feet (20 feet if a garage or carport) \| At least 10 feet from the rear lot line. Applies: Detached accessory structures of 120 square feet or more, up to the height of the main structure. § 18.16.060 · code text \| 120 square feet or more and up to height of primary structure \| Rear \| 10 feet \| At least 5 feet from side or rear lot lines. Applies: Air conditioning, pool and spa equipment, only if not visible from the street and screened by a 6-foot solid fence; otherwise 10 feet. § 18.16.060 · code text \| Air conditioning equipment, pool and spa equipment \| Side \| 5 feet 2 \| At least 3 feet from side or rear lot lines. Applies: Other accessory structures and landscape features, not buildings. § 18.16.060 · code text \| Other accessory structures and landscape features (excluding buildings) including gazebo, arbor, patio cover, shade shelters (attached or detached and permanent or temporary), outdoor play equipment, and recreational courts 4 (Does not include cargo containers or portable storage containers) \| Side \| 3 feet 4 \|
Distance from the house	At least 3 feet of clear path, open to the sky, between any structure and a property line or structure. Applies: Gazebos, arbors, patio covers, play equipment and similar features need 6 feet from the house and other accessory structures (shade shelters 3 feet). § 18.16.060 · code text A minimum unobstructed pathway of three (3) feet is required from any structure to a property line and/or another structure, from the lowest point to the sky unobstructed.

Running a business from home

Galt code What Galt's code adds
Space used	The business may use no more than 20% of the home's floor area, including the garage. § 18.44.050.03 · code text Not more than twenty percent (20%) of the floor area of the dwelling unit, including the garage, shall be used for the occupation.
Customer visits	Customers may not pick up food at the home. Applies: Cottage food operations. § 18.44.050.03 · code text Customers shall not pick up the foods at the residence.
Employees	Only residents of the home plus no more than 1 on-site employee. § 18.44.050.03 · code text The home occupation shall be conducted by residents of the dwelling and no more than one (1) on-site employee. More off-site partners or employees are allowed only if they do not report to work at the home. Applies: Applies to off-site partners or employees. § 18.44.050.03 · code text Additional off-site partners or employees are permitted only if they do not report for work at the subject property.
Permit	A home occupation permit from Community Development and a business license from the Finance Department are required. Applies: Before the home business starts. § 18.44.050.01 · code text Applicants for a home occupation shall obtain a home occupation permit issued by the Community Development Department and a business license, pursuant to the Galt Municipal Code, from the Finance Department prior to establishing the home occupation.
Businesses not allowed	Medical, dental, chiropractic, or drug treatment clinics; massage; hospitals; animal services; repair or reconditioning of motor vehicles, mobile equipment, outboard motors, or marine motors; cabinet shops and similar wood working, metal working, or plastic working shops; repair or reconditioning of major appliances Applies: unless the home is serving as an office only for such uses which occur off site § 18.44.050.02 · code text The following uses are prohibited as home occupations, unless the home is serving as an office only for such uses which occur off site:

Lot splits under SB 9

Galt code Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot area. Limited to its lawful floor area at the time of the split.

All 15 Galt rules on lot splits under sb 9, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Galt code What Galt's code adds
EV charger permit	The Building Official approves and issues all permits when the application meets the City's adopted checklist. Applies: Applies to electric vehicle charging stations; the application must also meet all applicable laws. § 15.07.060 · code text Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the City's adopted checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws, the Building Official shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, approve the application and issue all necessary permits.
Solar permit process	Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a permit issues for a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plan; only 1 inspection. Applies: Applies to small rooftop home solar systems eligible for fast review. § 15.06.060 · code text Only one (1) inspection shall be required and performed by the Building Department for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.
Review time	Same day. Applies: Applies to complete over-the-counter applications for small rooftop home solar that meet the checklist and standard plan. § 15.06.060 · code text The Building Division shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit (the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one (1) to three (3) business days for electronic applications) on receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan. Within 1 to 3 business days. Applies: Applies to complete electronic applications for small rooftop home solar that meet the checklist and standard plan. § 15.06.060 · code text The Building Division shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit (the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one (1) to three (3) business days for electronic applications) on receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan. Inspection scheduled within 2 business days of a request, with a 2-hour inspection window. Applies: Applies to small rooftop home solar systems. § 15.06.060 · code text An inspection will be scheduled within two (2) business days of a request and provide a two (2) hour inspection window.

Pets, chickens and bees

Galt code What Galt's code adds
Chickens	Yes, up to 4 hens. Applies: Applies to parcels with a detached single-family home. § 18.16.070 · code text The keeping of four (4) or fewer hen chickens on a parcel improved with a detached single-family dwelling is allowed, subject to the provisions of other laws and ordinances, and the following conditions: No. Applies: Applies to all other parcels, including those with apartments or duplexes. § 18.16.070 · code text B. Unless otherwise provided in this title, the keeping of hen chickens on any parcel, other than as described in subsection A of this section, including but not limited to parcels with multifamily dwellings or duplexes, is prohibited.
Coop setback	At least 10 feet from side and rear property lines. Applies: Applies to hen enclosures. § 18.16.070 · code text All hen chickens shall be kept within an enclosure that is set back at least ten (10) feet from side and rear property lines.
Large animals	No hooved animals or other livestock. Applies: Unless the city code expressly allows them. § 6.04.090 · code text Unless expressly permitted by this Code, no hooved animals or other livestock shall be kept or maintained in the City.
Permit	Roosters are not allowed, except in the OS or RA zones with a use permit. § 18.16.070 · code text Roosters are not permitted on any parcel of property located in the city, except in the OS or RA zoning districts with a use permit. Slaughtering chickens is not allowed, except in the OS or RA zones with a use permit. § 18.16.070 · code text The slaughtering of chickens is not permitted, except in the OS or RA zoning districts with a use permit.
Pet limit	No more than 4 dogs and 4 cats over 4 months old. Applies: Applies per dwelling unit. § 6.04.030 · code text No person shall own or harbor more than four (4) dogs and four (4) cats, over the age of four (4) months, at or in any one (1) dwelling unit, as defined by the City's Zoning Code, or at or in any other single industrial or commercial establishment within the City.

Other Galt rules on this

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

Parking and storing RVs at home (§ 18.48.080) — residential zones

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Galt?

In Galt, residential fences up to 3 ft need no setback; a 6-ft fence needs a 20-ft front setback or 5-ft street-side setback.

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

Galt limits gazebos, patio covers and similar features to 12 ft; detached accessory structures of 120 sq ft or more need 10-ft rear setbacks.

Can I run a business from my home in Galt?

Galt home businesses may use at most 20% of the floor area, including the garage, with 1 on-site employee and a home occupation permit.

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

Galt's code: The Building Official approves and issues all permits when the application meets the City's adopted checklist. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations; the application must also meet all applicable laws.) (§ 15.07.060); Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a permit issues for a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plan; only 1 inspection. (Applies to small rooftop home solar systems eligible for fast review.) (§ 15.06.060).

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

Galt's code: Yes, up to 4 hens. (Applies to parcels with a detached single-family home.) (§ 18.16.070); No. (Applies to all other parcels, including those with apartments or duplexes.) (§ 18.16.070).

General information, not legal advice.

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Galt Municipal Code — full text

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