Gridley · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Gridley

Gridley sets its own fence heights for residential districts and its own placement rules for accessory buildings. Fence height depends on the yard and on how open the fence is.

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Key points

Fence height: Gridley limits R-district fences to 3 ft in front yards, or 4 ft if open above 3 ft; side and rear 7 ft.
Accessory buildings: Gridley allows accessory buildings in the rear yard setback no closer than 5 ft to the rear line, but in no other required setback.
Home businesses: Gridley does not allow a medical marijuana dispensary as a home business in any district.

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

Fences and walls

Gridley code What Gridley's code adds
Front yard height	No more than 3 feet. Applies: For fences and hedges in front yards in R districts, to keep a clear view onto the street. § 17.72.040 · code text In R districts, fences and hedges in side yards and rear yards may not exceed seven (7) feet in height, and may not exceed three (3) feet in front yards in order to provide a clear view in the front yard area onto the street Up to 4 feet may be allowed. Applies: In R district front yards, only if the fence stays see-through above 3 feet, with at least 40% open space on average. § 17.72.040 · code text A height of four (4) feet may be permitted, provided that clear visibility is maintained above the height of three (3) feet.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 7 feet. Applies: For fences and hedges in side and rear yards in R districts. § 17.72.040 · code text In R districts, fences and hedges in side yards and rear yards may not exceed seven (7) feet in height Up to 8 feet, with an administrative use permit. Applies: Between side or rear yards of 2 adjoining lots whose ground levels differ at the home foundations or the property line. § 17.72.040 · code text An administrative use permit may be issued by the Planning Department to authorize fences as high as eight (8) feet between the side or rear yard of two adjoining or contiguous lots having a difference in ground elevation between the foundations of the homes, or at the property line.
Permit	An administrative use permit is required for fences up to 8 feet high. Applies: For fences between adjoining lots whose ground levels differ at the home foundations or the property line. § 17.72.040 · code text An administrative use permit may be issued by the Planning Department to authorize fences as high as eight (8) feet between the side or rear yard of two adjoining or contiguous lots having a difference in ground elevation between the foundations of the homes, or at the property line.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Gridley code What Gridley's code adds
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from the rear property line. Applies: Accessory buildings may be in the rear yard setback at this distance, but not in any other required setback. § 17.81.060 · code text No accessory building shall be erected in any required yard setback except it may be located five feet from the rear property line within the rear yard setback area.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from any other building. Applies: For detached accessory buildings. Metal shipping and other containers follow a separate rule. § 17.81.070 · code text No detached accessory building shall be erected within six feet of any other building with the exception of metal shipping/other containers as noted in "C" below. At least 20 feet from any wall of a structure on the site. Applies: For metal shipping containers in the R-S, C-1 and C-2 zones, which need a conditional use permit. § 17.81.070 · code text C. Containers shall not be closer than 20 feet from any wall of a structure on the site.

Running a business from home

Gridley code What Gridley's code adds
Businesses not allowed	medical marijuana dispensary Applies: any district within the City of Gridley § 17.88.030 · code text A medical marijuana dispensary is not permitted as a home occupation in any district within the City of Gridley.

RV and boat parking

Gridley code What Gridley's code adds
Where it may be parked	Only in storage areas specifically designed for them on approved plans. Applies: Boats, trailers and RVs in the R-4 district. § 17.27.130 · code text All boats, trailers and recreational vehicles in the R-4 district shall be stored only within areas specifically designed for such storage on approved plans. Only in storage areas specifically designed for them on approved plans. Applies: Boats, trailers and RVs in the R-3 district. § 17.26.130 · code text All boats, trailers and recreational vehicles in an R-3 district shall be stored only within areas specifically designed for such storage on approved plans.
Screening and surface	The storage area must be screened by fencing, landscaping or both. Applies: R-4 district. § 17.27.130 · code text Said area shall be screened by fencing and/or landscaping.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Gridley code What Gridley's code adds
Solar permit process	The customer must sign an interconnection agreement with the city and get approval to connect to the city grid. Applies: To receive service under the net metering rate. § 13.15.205 · code text The customer must enter into an interconnection agreement with the city and receive approval to parallel with the city's electric distribution grid to receive service under this rate.

Pets, chickens and bees

Gridley code What Gridley's code adds
Chickens	Yes; at most 4 female poultry. Applies: AR, RE, RS, R-1 and R-2 districts, and C-1 or C-2 districts with a conforming single-family home. § 6.08.030 · code text A maximum of four female poultry would be permitted in the “AR, RE, RS, R-1, and R-2” districts, and on property zoned “C-1 or C-2” district if the single family residential dwelling unit is in conformity with the requirements of Chapters 17.32 and 17.34 .
Pet limit	No more than 4 cats. Applies: At any one street address in the city. § 6.09.020 · code text No family or person, or group of persons may own or control, or have in their possession, at any one (1) street address within the city limits of the City of Gridley, more than a total of four (4) cats.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Gridley?

Gridley limits R-district fences to 3 ft in front yards, or 4 ft if open above 3 ft; side and rear 7 ft.

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

Gridley allows accessory buildings in the rear yard setback no closer than 5 ft to the rear line, but in no other required setback.

Can I run a business from my home in Gridley?

Gridley does not allow a medical marijuana dispensary as a home business in any district.

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

Gridley's code: Only in storage areas specifically designed for them on approved plans. (Boats, trailers and RVs in the R-4 district.) (§ 17.27.130); Only in storage areas specifically designed for them on approved plans. (Boats, trailers and RVs in the R-3 district.) (§ 17.26.130).

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

Gridley's code: The customer must sign an interconnection agreement with the city and get approval to connect to the city grid. (To receive service under the net metering rate.) (§ 13.15.205).

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

Gridley's code: Yes; at most 4 female poultry. (AR, RE, RS, R-1 and R-2 districts, and C-1 or C-2 districts with a conforming single-family home.) (§ 6.08.030); No more than 4 cats. (At any one street address in the city.) (§ 6.09.020).

General information, not legal advice.

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More on Gridley

Gridley Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Gridley

Buying & selling in Gridley

Gridley overview