Martinez · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Martinez

Martinez sets its own fence heights and accessory-structure limits. Fence limits depend on the yard, nearness to a street intersection, slope and district.

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Key points

Fence height: City rule: fences limited to 3½ ft in required front yards, 6 ft outside; R-district front yards with 20%+ downslope allow 6 ft.
Accessory structures: City rule: accessory structures are limited to 1 story or 15 ft (higher with a use permit) and 1,000 sq ft each.

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

Fences and walls

Martinez code What Martinez's code adds
Corner visibility	Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 3 ½ feet tall within 50 feet of a street intersection. Applies: In the R, I and PA districts. § 22.34.090 · code text In the R, I, and PA districts, fences, walls and hedges shall not exceed three and a half feet in height anywhere within 50 feet within a street intersection;
Height anywhere on the lot	Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: Outside the required front yard area, where the limit is 3 ½ feet, with some exceptions. § 22.34.090 · code text Fences, walls and hedges not exceeding six feet in height shall be permitted, except that they may not exceed three and a half feet in height within a required front yard area, with the following exceptions: Combined height can be at most 6 feet. Applies: For fences and walls placed on or next to other fences and walls. § 22.34.090 · code text Fences and walls placed directly on or adjacent to one or more other fences and walls shall not exceed a combined height of six feet. Each fence or wall can be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: When they are apart by at least the height of the shorter one, so they count as separate structures. § 22.34.090 · code text Fences and walls are considered separate structures and may each be up to six feet tall provided that a minimum separation distance equal to or greater than the height of the shorter structure exists.
Front yard height	Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 3 ½ feet tall. Applies: In the required front yard area. § 22.34.090 · code text they may not exceed three and a half feet in height within a required front yard area A fence, wall or hedge up to 6 feet tall is allowed in the front yard. Applies: On an R Residential district site where the required front yard slopes down naturally 20% or more. § 22.34.090 · code text a fence, wall or hedge not exceeding six feet in height shall be permitted in the front yard; Fences up to 4 feet tall, open-rail design only. Applies: In the Alhambra Valley districts, at the front property line and in the front yard setback. § 22.29.110 · code text Fences up to four feet in height are allowed at the front property boundary and within the front yard setback, but must be of an open-rail design.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Martinez code What Martinez's code adds
Maximum height	At most 1 story or 15 feet tall. Applies: Taller only with a use permit. § 22.12.265 · code text The height of an accessory structure may not exceed one story or 15 feet.
Size or lot coverage	Any 1 accessory structure can be at most 1,000 square feet. § 22.12.265 · code text The maximum size of any 1 accessory structure is 1,000 square feet; and the total size of all accessory structures on a lot cannot exceed 50% of the main structure's gross floor area. All accessory structures together can be at most 50% of the main building's gross floor area. Applies: Total size of all accessory structures on a lot. § 22.12.265 · code text The maximum size of any 1 accessory structure is 1,000 square feet; and the total size of all accessory structures on a lot cannot exceed 50% of the main structure's gross floor area. Can cover no more than 25% of the minimum required rear yard. Applies: For accessory structures placed fully or partly in the minimum required rear yard. § 22.12.265 · code text Provided that the accessory structure(s) do not cover more than 25% of the minimum rear yard otherwise required by Section 22.12.240 Rear Yards, accessory structure(s) may be placed, or partially placed, within such minimum required rear yards, subject to the following requirements:
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from the rear and interior side lines next to the required rear yard. Applies: For accessory structures fully or partly in the minimum rear yard, covering no more than 25% of it. § 22.12.265 · code text A minimum setback of 5 feet shall be maintained from the rear and interior side property lines that are adjacent to the otherwise required minimum rear yard.

Lot splits under SB 9

Martinez code Neither new parcel may be smaller than 40% of the original parcel area. At least 1,200 square feet.

All 15 Martinez rules on lot splits under sb 9, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Martinez code What Martinez's code adds
EV charger permit	Apply in person, by mail or electronically. Applies: Applies to the permit application and its documents. § 15.08.060 · code text The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation by personal, mailed, or electronic submittal.
Solar permit process	Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a permit issues for a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plan. Applies: Applies to complete applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan. § 15.09.060 · code text The Building Department shall issue a building permit (the same day for over-the-counter applications or within 3 business days for electronic applications) of receipt of a complete application which meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.
Review time	Same day. Applies: Applies to complete over-the-counter applications that meet the checklist and standard plan. § 15.09.060 · code text The Building Department shall issue a building permit (the same day for over-the-counter applications or within 3 business days for electronic applications) of receipt of a complete application which meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan. Within 3 business days. Applies: Applies to complete electronic applications that meet the checklist and standard plan. § 15.09.060 · code text The Building Department shall issue a building permit (the same day for over-the-counter applications or within 3 business days for electronic applications) of receipt of a complete application which meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Tree removal

Martinez code No building permits or use of the property for 2 years; the city may also stop work. Yes, a tree permit is required.

All 13 Martinez rules on tree removal, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Swimming pools

Martinez code What Martinez's code adds
Pool barrier	Openings, holes or gaps no larger than 4 inches across. § 17.36.020 · code text with openings, holes or gaps therein no larger than 4 inches measured horizontally The gap between the ground and the bottom of the barrier is at most 2 inches. § 17.36.020 · code text The maximum vertical clearance between grade and bottom of the fence/barrier shall be 2 inches measured on the side of the barrier which faces away from the pool. Vertical members and decorative cutouts no more than 1¾ inches apart. Applies: Applies to fences where the tops of horizontal members are less than 45 inches apart. § 17.36.020 · code text Spacing between vertical members shall not exceed 1 ¾ inches in width. Where there are decorative cutouts within vertical members, spacing within the cutouts shall not exceed 1 ¾ inches in width. Mesh at most 1¼ inch square, or slats reducing openings to 1¾ inches or less; wire at least #9 gauge. Applies: Applies to chain link fences. § 17.36.020 · code text Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be a 1 ¼ inch square unless the fences is provided with slats fastened at the top or the bottom which reduce the openings to 1 ¾ inches or less, the wire shall not be less than #9 gauge. Openings between diagonal members at most 1¾ inches. Applies: Applies to barriers made of diagonal members. § 17.36.020 · code text Where the barrier is made of diagonal members the maximum openings formed by the diagonal members shall be 1 ¾ inches or less.
Barrier height	At least 4 feet 6 inches tall, measured outside the enclosure. Applies: Applies to pools deeper than 18 inches or larger than 250 square feet. § 17.36.020 · code text a fence or wall not less than 4 feet, 6 inches high (measured outside the enclosure)
Equipment and alarms	Doors to an indoor pool need an alarm sounding at least 30 seconds when opened, or approved self-closing, self-latching doors. Applies: Applies to indoor pools; the same rule as house doors that are part of the pool barrier. § 17.36.020 · code text Doors leading directly to indoor swimming pools shall comply with the requirements in G above and other applicable sections.
Gates	Gates need a locking device; pedestrian gates open outward away from the pool, self-close and self-latch; other gates self-latch. § 17.36.020 · code text Pedestrian-access gates shall open outward away from the pool and shall have a self-closing and latching device. Gates other than pedestrian access gates shall have a self—latching device. Release on pool side, at least 3 inches below the top; no openings over ½ inch within 18 inches. Applies: Applies when the latch release is less than 54 inches above the bottom of the gate. § 17.36.020 · code text Where the release mechanism of the self-latching device is located less than 54 inches from the bottom of the gate, (a) the release mechanism shall be located on the pool side of the gate at least 3 inches below the top of the gate, and (b) the gate and barrier shall have no openings greater than ½ inch within 18 inches of the release mechanism.

Pets, chickens and bees

Martinez code What Martinez's code adds
Chickens	Yes; up to 8 chickens. Applies: Applies in residential and agricultural zones on lots of 4,000 to 10,000 square feet. § 22.58.030 · code text Between 4,000 square feet and 10,000 square feet \| 8 Yes; up to 12 chickens. Applies: Applies in residential and agricultural zones on lots of 10,001 to 20,000 square feet. § 22.58.030 · code text Between 10,001 square feet and 20,000 square feet \| 12 Yes; up to 16 chickens. Applies: Applies in residential and agricultural zones on lots of 20,001 to 40,000 square feet. § 22.58.030 · code text Between 20,001 square feet and 40,000 square feet \| 16 Yes; up to 20 chickens. Applies: Applies in residential and agricultural zones on lots greater than 40,001 square feet. § 22.58.030 · code text Greater than 40,001 square feet \| 20

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Martinez?

City rule: fences limited to 3½ ft in required front yards, 6 ft outside; R-district front yards with 20%+ downslope allow 6 ft.

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

City rule: accessory structures are limited to 1 story or 15 ft (higher with a use permit) and 1,000 sq ft each.

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

Martinez's code: Apply in person, by mail or electronically. (Applies to the permit application and its documents.) (§ 15.08.060); Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a permit issues for a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plan. (Applies to complete applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan.) (§ 15.09.060).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Martinez?

Martinez's code: Openings, holes or gaps no larger than 4 inches across. (§ 17.36.020); The gap between the ground and the bottom of the barrier is at most 2 inches. (§ 17.36.020).

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

Martinez's code: Yes; up to 8 chickens. (Applies in residential and agricultural zones on lots of 4,000 to 10,000 square feet.) (§ 22.58.030); Yes; up to 12 chickens. (Applies in residential and agricultural zones on lots of 10,001 to 20,000 square feet.) (§ 22.58.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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