Grand Terrace · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Grand Terrace

Grand Terrace sets its own limits for fences and accessory buildings and lists businesses that may not run from a home. Fence height depends on the yard and on whether the fence is solid or open.

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Key points

Fence height: Grand Terrace limits front-yard fences to 3 ft if solid or 6 ft if open, like wrought iron; side and rear 8 ft.
Accessory buildings: City rule: accessory buildings need a 10-foot side and rear setback if one-story nonresidential, and 15 feet if two-story or residential.
Home businesses: Grand Terrace does not allow beauty shops, massage parlors, vehicle or appliance repair, on-premises sales, or art and music classes as home businesses.

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

Fences and walls

Grand Terrace code What Grand Terrace's code adds
Front yard height	At most 3 feet above the ground. Applies: For a solid fence or wall in a front yard. § 18.73.070 · code text The maximum height of a solid fence or wall shall be three feet above the surface of the ground; At most 6 feet above the ground. Applies: For an open-design fence or wall, such as wrought iron, in a front yard. § 18.73.070 · code text The maximum height of an open designed fence or wall such as a wrought iron fence shall be six feet from the surface of the ground;
Side and rear yard height	At most 8 feet above the ground. Applies: For any fence or wall, solid or not, in side and rear yards. § 18.73.070 · code text The maximum height of a fence or wall, solid or otherwise shall be eight feet from the surface of the ground.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Grand Terrace code What Grand Terrace's code adds
Size or lot coverage	Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the rear yard. § 18.56.070 · code text Accessory buildings shall not occupy more than ten percent of the rear yard.
Side and rear setback	At least 10 feet. Applies: For 1-story accessory buildings not used as living space. § 18.56.070 · code text Ten feet for one-story nonresidential accessory buildings. At least 15 feet. Applies: For 2-story accessory buildings not used as living space, and for 1- or 2-story buildings used as living space. § 18.56.070 · code text Fifteen feet for two-story nonresidential accessory buildings and one-or two-story buildings used for residential purposes.
Distance from the house	At least 15 feet from the main buildings. § 18.56.070 · code text Accessory buildings shall be a minimum of 15 feet from the main buildings

Running a business from home

Grand Terrace code What Grand Terrace's code adds
Businesses not allowed	Beauty shops, massage parlors, private clubs, dance studios and dating services Applies: any residential zone § 5.06.013 · code text Beauty shops, massage parlors, private clubs, dance studios and dating services; The repair or construction of motor vehicles and appliances, machine shops and cabinet shops Applies: any residential zone § 5.06.013 · code text The repair or construction of motor vehicles and appliances, machine shops and cabinet shops; On-premises sales and vending Applies: any residential zone § 5.06.013 · code text On-premises sales and vending; Art and music classes Applies: any residential zone § 5.06.013 · code text Art and music classes.

Lot splits under SB 9

Grand Terrace code Neither new parcel may be smaller than 40% of the original lot area. No maximum; standards waived so each unit reaches at least 800 square feet; second unit not larger than main home.

All 11 Grand Terrace rules on lot splits under sb 9, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Grand Terrace code What Grand Terrace's code adds
EV charger permit	The Building Official approves the application and issues all needed permits. Applies: A complete application that meets the city checklist, all applicable laws and health and safety standards. § 15.26.040 · code text the Building Official shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, approve the application and issue all necessary permits. Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted. § 15.26.040 · code text the Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications and associated supporting documentations.
Review time	Within 3 business days over the counter; 5 business days if filed electronically. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar that meets the approved checklist and standard plan. § 15.24.060 · code text the Building Department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit within three business days for over-the-counter applications

Pets, chickens and bees

Grand Terrace code What Grand Terrace's code adds
Large animals	Only household pets are allowed, unless the zoning code permits other animals. § 18.73.100 · code text Except as permitted by Chapter 18.53, the keeping of animals, other than household pets is prohibited within the City.
Pet limit	At most 2 dogs and 2 cats. Applies: Property with attached homes; counts dogs 4 months or older. § 6.08.020 · code text A maximum of two dogs, which are four or more months of age, and two cats shall be permitted on any property comprised of attached dwelling units. At most 4 dogs, 4 cats, or 4 dogs and cats combined. Applies: Property with a detached home; counts dogs over 4 months old. § 6.08.020 · code text A maximum of four dogs, which are more than four months of age, or four cats, or any combination of dogs and cats that total no more than a maximum of four shall be permitted on any property comprised of a detached dwelling unit. At most 5 dogs, 5 cats, or 5 dogs and cats combined. Applies: Property of 20,000 square feet or more with a detached home; counts dogs over 4 months old. § 6.08.020 · code text A maximum of five dogs, which are more than four months of age, or five cats, or any combination of dogs and cats that total no more than a maximum of five shall be permitted on any property measuring 20,000 square feet or more and comprised of a detached dwelling unit. 1 extra dog or cat, licensed temporarily for 6 months. Applies: Caring for a deployed military member's pet, with deployment orders, or an elderly resident's dog they cannot care for due to illness or death. § 6.08.020 · code text a maximum of one additional dog or cat may be temporarily licensed, without payment of the licensing fee, for a period of six months

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Grand Terrace?

Grand Terrace limits front-yard fences to 3 ft if solid or 6 ft if open, like wrought iron; side and rear 8 ft.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Grand Terrace?

City rule: accessory buildings need a 10-foot side and rear setback if one-story nonresidential, and 15 feet if two-story or residential.

Can I run a business from my home in Grand Terrace?

Grand Terrace does not allow beauty shops, massage parlors, vehicle or appliance repair, on-premises sales, or art and music classes as home businesses.

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

Grand Terrace's code: The Building Official approves the application and issues all needed permits. (A complete application that meets the city checklist, all applicable laws and health and safety standards.) (§ 15.26.040); Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted. (§ 15.26.040).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Grand Terrace?

Grand Terrace's code: Only household pets are allowed, unless the zoning code permits other animals. (§ 18.73.100); At most 2 dogs and 2 cats. (Property with attached homes; counts dogs 4 months or older.) (§ 6.08.020).

General information, not legal advice.

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Grand Terrace Municipal Code — full text

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