Irvine · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Irvine
Irvine sets its own limits for fences and walls and for minor accessory structures on residential lots, and requires a permit for home businesses. Front fence height depends on how far the fence is set back.
Key points
- Fence height: Irvine limits front-setback fences to 2½ ft at the property line, rising 1 ft per 3 ft of setback, up to 7 ft.
- Accessory structures: Irvine limits residential minor accessory structures to 12 ft or 1 story, whichever is less, and 250 sq ft.
- Home businesses: Irvine home businesses need a business license and a Home Occupation Permit.
Each rule below is marked Irvine code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Irvine code Irvine limits front-setback fences to 2½ ft at the property line, rising 1 ft per 3 ft of setback, up to 7 ft.
All 7 Irvine rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Irvine code Irvine limits residential minor accessory structures to 12 ft or 1 story, whichever is less, and 250 sq ft.
All 4 Irvine rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
| Permit |
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Lot splits under SB 9
| Standards |
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Solar panels and EV chargers
Irvine code Apply electronically; the Building Official approves complete applications that meet the chapter administratively. At most 2 feet above the roof surface, measured straight out, and never above the maximum building height.
All 4 Irvine rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Irvine code A permit is granted for dead, declining (dead limbs over 1/3 of the crown), hazardous, crowded-stunted or untreatably infested trees. Yes, a permit is required.
Swimming pools
| Setback from property lines |
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Pets, chickens and bees
Irvine code Yes, up to 2 Langstroth beehives. A permit may be issued to keep livestock; the animal services officer sets a reasonable number of animals.
All 4 Irvine rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Irvine code Development permit needed before any construction or development, including structures, fill, material storage or drainage facilities. No new buildings or substantial improvements in floodways before FEMA approves a Letter of Map Revision.
All 5 Irvine rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
Irvine code An erosion and sediment control plan must be approved by the Chief Building Official before a grading permit is issued. Excavation not exceeding 50 cubic yards on any one site and less than two feet in vertical depth, or not creating a cut slope greater than five feet in vertical height and steeper than 2:1; fill less than one foot in depth on natural grade with a slope flatter than 5:1, or fill less than three feet in depth, not intended to support structures or mobile homes, not exceeding 50 cubic yards on any one site and not obstructing a drainage course.
All 3 Irvine rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Irvine code A fine set by council resolution is invoiced from the 4th false alarm and each later one. The first 3 false alarms carry no fine: an officer's notice, and a warning letter at the third.
All 4 Irvine rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
| Signs that need no permit |
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Other Irvine rules on this
Irvine's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- No overnight trailer or camper parking on streets (§ 6-3-576) — on public streets
- Noise limits (Title 6, Div. 8, Ch. 2)
- Citywide development impact fees (Title 2, Div. 7, Ch. 9)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Irvine?
Irvine home businesses need a business license and a Home Occupation Permit.
Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Irvine?
Irvine's code: Urban lot splits are allowed only in the 2.1 Estate Density and 2.2 Low-Density Residential zones. (Applies to urban lot splits.) (§ 3-43-4); Not allowed on farmland, wetlands, fire hazard areas, hazardous waste sites, fault zones, floodplains, conservation land or habitat, with exceptions. (Specified sites only. Some limits lift if a site is cleared, meets seismic standards, or meets stated flood exceptions.) (§ 3-43-4).
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Irvine?
Irvine's code: No setback is required. (Applies to pools and spas; on a zero lot line lot, never inside the zero lot line easement.) (§ 3-27-8); The pool or spa may be built up to the property line. (Applies where a zero lot line exists, but never inside the zero lot line easement area.) (§ 3-27-8).
Can I run a family child care home in Irvine?
California law sets this for every city, including Irvine: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
What signs may I put up at my home in Irvine?
Irvine's code: For-sale or for-lease signs for non-apartment residential property need no sign permit. (Signs less than 6 feet high. Residential wall signs showing occupant name and address are also exempt.) (§ 7-3-3).
General information, not legal advice.
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