Madera · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Madera

Madera sets its own fence and accessory-building limits for residential (R) zones. Fence limits depend on the yard and on nearness to a street corner.

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Key points

Fence height: City rule: R-zone fences are limited to 3 ft in front and street side setbacks, 6 ft in rear and interior side yards.
Accessory buildings: City rule: accessory buildings in R zones are limited to 15 ft.

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

Fences and walls

Madera code What Madera's code adds
Corner visibility	Fences, walls and screen plantings can be at most 3 feet tall within 25 feet of any street corner. § 10-3.412 · code text No fence, wall, or screen planting of any kind shall be constructed or grown to exceed a maximum of six feet in height between the rear property line of a lot and the front line of the main building or along any rear property line, nor to exceed three feet in height in any required front or street side yard or within 25 feet of any street corner except as may otherwise be permitted under this chapter.
Front yard height	At most 3 feet tall. Applies: In R zones, in any front or street side yard setback area. § 10-3.506 · code text A maximum height of three (3') feet in any front or street side yard setback area, except that, subject to the approval of the Community Development Director/City Engineer, a six (6') foot fence may be erected on the street side yard property line of any fifty (50') foot wide corner lot located in the R. Residential Zone, which is situated adjacent to an eighty (80') foot City right-of-way designated as a Local Street on the General Plan. A 6-foot fence may be allowed with approval. Applies: On the street side line of a 50-foot-wide R zone corner lot next to an 80-foot Local Street right-of-way. § 10-3.506 · code text A maximum height of three (3') feet in any front or street side yard setback area, except that, subject to the approval of the Community Development Director/City Engineer, a six (6') foot fence may be erected on the street side yard property line of any fifty (50') foot wide corner lot located in the R. Residential Zone, which is situated adjacent to an eighty (80') foot City right-of-way designated as a Local Street on the General Plan.
Side and rear yard height	At most 6 feet tall. Applies: In R zones, in any rear or interior side yard, not counting the front setback area. § 10-3.506 · code text A maximum height of six (6') feet in any rear or interior side yard exclusive of the front setback area. At most 6 feet tall. Applies: In the street side yard, up to 25 feet from the front property line or its extension, with an encroachment permit. § 10-3.506 · code text The maximum height shall not exceed six (6') feet in any street side yard area to within twenty-five (25) feet of the front property line, or projection thereof.
Permit	An encroachment permit is required for a fence over 3 feet tall. Applies: In the required street side yard setback area. § 10-3.506 · code text The Community Development Director/City Engineer may grant approval of an encroachment permit for construction of a fence higher than three (3') feet within the required street side yard setback area subject to the following standards: Approval by the Community Development Director/City Engineer is required. Applies: For a 6-foot fence on the street side line of a qualifying 50-foot-wide corner lot in the R zone. § 10-3.506 · code text A maximum height of three (3') feet in any front or street side yard setback area, except that, subject to the approval of the Community Development Director/City Engineer, a six (6') foot fence may be erected on the street side yard property line of any fifty (50') foot wide corner lot located in the R. Residential Zone, which is situated adjacent to an eighty (80') foot City right-of-way designated as a Local Street on the General Plan.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Madera code What Madera's code adds
Maximum height	At most 15 feet tall. Applies: For accessory buildings in R zones. § 10-3.510 · code text Accessory buildings 15 feet

Solar panels and EV chargers

Madera code What Madera's code adds
Solar permit process	You can apply electronically by email or online. Applies: Permit applicants for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 9-4.05 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents by email or the internet shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
Review time	The permit is issued the same day. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar; complete over-the-counter applications that meet the checklist and standard plan. § 9-4.06 · code text The Building Division shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within 1-3 business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan. The permit is issued within 1 to 3 business days. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar; complete electronic applications that meet the checklist and standard plan. § 9-4.06 · code text The Building Division shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within 1-3 business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Swimming pools

Madera code What Madera's code adds
Maintenance and empty pools	Pools must have a filtration system in good working order. § 5-5.14 · code text Pools must be equipped with filtration systems in good working order. A pool may be emptied or have over 250 gallons drained for maintenance only after notice to Public Works. Applies: Maintenance that cannot be done while the pool is full. § 5-5.14 · code text If prior notice is given to the Public Works Department swimming pools may occasionally be emptied or a substantial portion drained for maintenance which cannot be accomplished when full of water. For the purposes of this section a substantial portion shall be considered anything more than 250 gallons of water. Emptying or draining a significant part of a pool more than once May 1 to September 30 is a violation. Applies: Draining more than 250 gallons. § 5-5.14 · code text Emptying or draining a significant portion of a pool more than once between May 1 and September 30 will be a violation and subject to the same surcharges in effect for other water waste.

Pets, chickens and bees

Madera code What Madera's code adds
Large animals	No more than 3 livestock animals (including horses, goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits) per location, in an enclosed pen. Applies: City areas, except property zoned or used for farming or industry. § 5-1.31 · code text No more than three may be kept at any one location, or as determined by other applicable city ordinance or the Planning Commission.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Madera?

City rule: R-zone fences are limited to 3 ft in front and street side setbacks, 6 ft in rear and interior side yards.

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

City rule: accessory buildings in R zones are limited to 15 ft.

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

Madera's code: You can apply electronically by email or online. (Permit applicants for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 9-4.05); The permit is issued the same day. (Small residential rooftop solar; complete over-the-counter applications that meet the checklist and standard plan.) (§ 9-4.06).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Madera?

Madera's code: Pools must have a filtration system in good working order. (§ 5-5.14); A pool may be emptied or have over 250 gallons drained for maintenance only after notice to Public Works. (Maintenance that cannot be done while the pool is full.) (§ 5-5.14).

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

Madera's code: No more than 3 livestock animals (including horses, goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits) per location, in an enclosed pen. (City areas, except property zoned or used for farming or industry.) (§ 5-1.31).

General information, not legal advice.

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