Oakdale · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Oakdale
Oakdale sets its own fence heights, accessory-building limits and home-business rules. Fence limits depend on the yard and on clear vision areas at driveways.
Key points
- Fence height: Oakdale limits fences to 3 ft in front and exterior side yards and 8 ft in interior side and rear yards.
- Accessory buildings: City rule: accessory buildings taller than 15 ft or 1 story must meet normal setbacks; coverage of required side and rear yards: 30%.
- Home businesses: Oakdale home businesses need a permit and business license, may use 25% of all buildings and draw up to 10 trips a day.
Each rule below is marked Oakdale code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Corner visibility |
|
|---|---|
| Front yard height |
|
| Side and rear yard height |
|
| Permit |
|
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Maximum height |
|
|---|---|
| Size or lot coverage |
|
| Side and rear setback |
|
| Distance from the house |
|
Running a business from home
| Space used |
|
|---|---|
| Customer visits |
|
| Permit |
|
| Businesses not allowed |
|
RV and boat parking
| Parking on the street |
|
|---|
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|---|
| Solar permit process |
|
| Review time |
|
Tree removal
| Exemptions |
|
|---|---|
| Permit to remove |
|
| Replacement trees |
|
Pets, chickens and bees
| Chickens |
|
|---|---|
| Coop setback |
|
| Large animals |
|
| Permit |
|
| Pet limit |
|
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Oakdale?
Oakdale limits fences to 3 ft in front and exterior side yards and 8 ft in interior side and rear yards.
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Oakdale?
City rule: accessory buildings taller than 15 ft or 1 story must meet normal setbacks; coverage of required side and rear yards: 30%.
Can I run a business from my home in Oakdale?
Oakdale home businesses need a permit and business license, may use 25% of all buildings and draw up to 10 trips a day.
Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Oakdale?
Oakdale's code: No more than 2 hours on a public street. (Oversize vehicles: RVs, trailers, or over 22 feet long, 7 feet wide or 7 1/2 feet high; loading, service work or police permit excepted.) (§ 18-44); No more than 2 hours on a public street. (Personal watercraft and boats of any size, on or off a trailer; except while loading or unloading or with a permit.) (§ 18-44).
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Oakdale?
Oakdale's code: Applications are accepted electronically, including electronic signatures. (§ 7-99); Administrative approval without discretionary planning review, limited to a health and safety check. (Applies to EV charging projects that meet the checklist.) (§ 7-99).
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Oakdale?
Oakdale's code: No permit fee, but the permit is still required. (Applies to existing homes or existing development not proposing new construction.) (§ 36-28.4); Staff may approve removing only immature oaks, or oaks dead or diseased beyond correction; healthy mature oaks go to Council. (Applies to oak trees.) (§ 36-28.4).
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Oakdale?
Oakdale's code: Yes, up to 6 hens. (Domesticated fowl, hens only.) (§ 4-18); 15 feet from the rear and side property lines. (Applies to pens or other shelters for animals or fowl.) (§ 4-18).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Oakdale property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
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