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Irwindale · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Irwindale

Irwindale sets its own fence heights for R zones and its own spacing rules for accessory buildings in the R-3 zone. Fence height depends on the yard and the lot type.

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Key points

  • Fence height: Irwindale limits fences in R zones to 36 inches in the required front yard; on interior lots, 6 ft elsewhere.
  • Accessory buildings: In Irwindale's R-3 zone, accessory buildings must be 10 ft from dwellings, or 5 ft if built fully of 1-hour fire-resistive construction.

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

Fences and walls

Irwindale code What Irwindale's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot
  • Up to 36 inches high anywhere on the lot.
    Applies: Walls, fences or hedges in any R zone. Does not apply to retaining walls.
    § 17.68.080 · code text
    In any R zone, a wall, fence or hedge thirty-six inches in height may be located and maintained on any part of a lot.
Front yard height
  • No more than 36 inches high.
    Applies: Required front yards in any R zone.
    § 17.68.080 · code text
    In any R zone, a wall, fence or hedge thirty-six inches in height may be located and maintained on any part of a lot.
Side and rear yard height
  • No more than 6 feet high.
    Applies: Interior lots in any R zone, anywhere except the required front yard. Does not apply to retaining walls.
    § 17.68.080 · code text
    On an interior lot, a wall, fence or hedge, not more than six feet in height, may be located anywhere on the lot except in those areas comprising the required front yard.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Irwindale code What Irwindale's code adds
Side and rear setback
  • At least 5 feet from the rear lot line.
    Applies: R-3 zone: non-dwelling accessory buildings on interior lots that back onto an alley.
    § 17.24.070 · code text
    If the lot rears upon an alley, such accessory building shall maintain a distance of not less than five feet from the rear lot line.
  • At least 5 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: R-3 zone: non-dwelling accessory buildings on corner lots that back onto an alley.
    § 17.24.070 · code text
    On the side street side, such buildings shall observe the same side yard requirements as main buildings.
  • At least 5 feet from the rear property line.
    Applies: R-3 zone: non-dwelling accessory buildings on reverse-corner lots.
    § 17.24.070 · code text
    Such buildings shall not be less than five feet from the rear property line, and shall observe the same side yard requirements as main buildings, on the side street side.
Distance from the house
  • At least 10 feet between homes and accessory buildings.
    Applies: R-3 zone.
    § 17.24.070 · code text
    The distance between buildings used for human habitation and accessory buildings shall be not less than ten feet;
  • At least 5 feet between homes and accessory buildings.
    Applies: R-3 zone: accessory buildings of 1-hour fire-resistive construction throughout, with a 5-foot-wide open yard between the buildings.
    § 17.24.070 · code text
    the distance between buildings used for human habitation and accessory buildings may be not less than five feet when such accessory buildings are of one-hour, fire-resistive construction throughout, as defined and specified in the building code.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Irwindale code What Irwindale's code adds
Solar height and setbacks
  • Panels may not exceed the maximum legal building height under the most restrictive applicable code.
    Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems that qualify for expedited permits.
    § 15.05.080 · code text
    The solar panel or module array shall not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined in the city of Irwindale Planning and Zoning Code, Los Angeles County Building Code, and Los Angeles County Residential Code, or other applicable legal authority, based on the most restrictive provision.
Solar permit process
  • A combined solar permit may be issued for photovoltaic systems; a separate plumbing permit is required if needed.
    Applies: Applies to photovoltaic systems.
    § 15.05.060 · code text
    A combined solar energy permit may be issued for photovoltaic systems, which will include all building and electrical work, however a separate plumbing permit, if needed, will be required.
Review time
  • Plan check is done within 1 to 3 business days.
    Applies: Applies to a complete small residential rooftop solar application.
    § 15.05.050 · code text
    Upon receipt of a complete small residential rooftop solar energy system application, plan check review will be completed within one to three business days.

Other Irwindale rules on this

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

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Irwindale?

Irwindale limits fences in R zones to 36 inches in the required front yard; on interior lots, 6 ft elsewhere.

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

In Irwindale's R-3 zone, accessory buildings must be 10 ft from dwellings, or 5 ft if built fully of 1-hour fire-resistive construction.

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

Irwindale's code: Panels may not exceed the maximum legal building height under the most restrictive applicable code. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems that qualify for expedited permits.) (§ 15.05.080); A combined solar permit may be issued for photovoltaic systems; a separate plumbing permit is required if needed. (Applies to photovoltaic systems.) (§ 15.05.060).

General information, not legal advice.

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