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Building on your lot in Orland

Orland sets fence heights by setback area in its R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, and accessory structure setbacks by zone, height and size. Street side yard fences may reach 7 feet with an administrative fence permit if the top 1 foot is 50 percent view-permeable.

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Key points

  • Fence heights: R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones: fences at most 3 feet in front and side setback areas, 6 feet elsewhere, including rear yards.
  • Accessory setbacks: R-1 zone: accessory structures 6 to 15 feet tall need at least 4 feet from interior side and rear lines without an alley.
  • Home businesses: Home businesses in residential zones need a home occupation use permit and business license, with no visiting customers or non-resident employees.

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

Fences and walls

Orland code What Orland's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot
  • Fences can be at most 6 feet tall.
    Applies: R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, outside the front, side and street side yard fence setback areas.
    § 17.76.190 · code text
    All fences not within such setback areas shall not exceed six feet in height.
Side and rear yard height
  • Street side yard fences can be up to 7 feet tall with an administrative fence permit.
    Applies: R-1, R-2, R-3 zones where 6-foot fences are allowed; top 1 foot must be lattice or 50% see-through; no sight-distance problems.
    § 17.76.190 · code text
    Street side yard fences up to seven feet tall may be approved by the city through the use of an administrative fence permit if one foot of lattice (or other fifty (50) percent view permeable material) is incorporated into the top one foot of the fence design: and if there are no sight distance area problems as determined by the city manager or their designee.
  • The main body of a fence can be at most 3 feet tall.
    Applies: Side yard (5 feet) or street side yard (10 feet) fence setback in R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones; 6 feet elsewhere.
    § 17.76.190 · code text
    All fences within a front yard, side yard, or street side yard fence setback area shall not exceed three feet in height for the main body of the fence
  • Decorative pillars and fence posts can be up to 42 inches (3.5 feet) tall.
    Applies: Spaced pillars and posts in side or street side yard fence setbacks in R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, if road visibility is not blocked.
    § 17.76.190 · code text
    intermittent decorative pillars and fence posts may extend up to forty-two (42) inches (3.5 feet) in height, as long as the visibility of the roadway is not obstructed.
  • Fences can be at most 6 feet tall.
    Applies: Rear yards in R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones; there is no rear yard fence setback.
    § 17.76.190 · code text
    All fences not within such setback areas shall not exceed six feet in height.
Front yard height
  • The main body of a fence can be at most 3 feet tall.
    Applies: Front yard fence setback area (20 feet) in R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones.
    § 17.76.190 · code text
    All fences within a front yard, side yard, or street side yard fence setback area shall not exceed three feet in height for the main body of the fence
  • Decorative pillars and fence posts can be up to 42 inches (3.5 feet) tall.
    Applies: Spaced pillars and posts in the front yard fence setback in R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, if road visibility is not blocked.
    § 17.76.190 · code text
    intermittent decorative pillars and fence posts may extend up to forty-two (42) inches (3.5 feet) in height, as long as the visibility of the roadway is not obstructed.
Permit
  • Yes. An administrative fence permit is required for fences between 6 and 7 feet tall.
    Applies: Street side yards in R-1, R-2, R-3 zones; top 1 foot must be lattice or 50% see-through; no sight-distance problems.
    § 17.76.190 · code text
    In a location where six-foot fences are permitted by right, a fence between six and seven feet tall may be constructed, pursuant to the following requirements: Street side yard fences up to seven feet tall may be approved by the city through the use of an administrative fence permit

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Orland code What Orland's code adds
Maximum height
  • A detached garage can be at most 25 feet tall to use the garage rear setback.
    Applies: R-1 zone; its roof pitch and materials must also be similar to the main building.
    § 17.20.070 · code text
    The height shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet;
  • A detached garage can be at most 15 feet tall to use the garage rear setback.
    Applies: R-3 zone; it must also meet the roof, materials and wall-direction rules.
    § 17.28.070 · code text
    The height shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet;
Side and rear setback
  • At least 4 feet from the rear line, unless the code says otherwise.
    Applies: Accessory structures in the R-1 zone.
    § 17.20.070 · code text
    Rear: four feet, unless otherwise specified herein.
  • At least 4 feet from the side line, unless the code says otherwise.
    Applies: Accessory structures in the R-1 zone.
    § 17.20.070 · code text
    Side: four feet, unless otherwise specified herein.
  • At least 5 feet from a side lot line.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings in the R-3 zone.
    § 17.28.070 · code text
    Detached accessory buildings shall not be located within five feet of any main building, nor within five feet of a side lot line, nor encroach on any easement.
  • At least 15 feet from the rear line, unless the code says otherwise.
    Applies: Accessory buildings in the R-3 zone.
    § 17.28.070 · code text
    Rear: fifteen (15) feet, unless otherwise specified herein;
  • At least 5 feet from the side line, unless the code says otherwise.
    Applies: Accessory buildings in the R-3 zone.
    § 17.28.070 · code text
    Side: five feet, unless otherwise specified herein. Side setback on a corner lot facing a street shall not be less than twenty (20) feet.
  • At least 20 feet from the street side line.
    Applies: R-3 zone corner lots: accessory structures in the same plane as the house.
    § 17.28.070 · code text
    | Accessory structure (same plane as house) | 20 |
  • At least 10 feet from the street side line.
    Applies: R-3 zone corner lots: accessory structures behind the rear wall line of the house.
    § 17.28.070 · code text
    | Accessory structure (behind rear plane of house) | 10 |
  • No rear setback is required.
    Applies: R-3 zone: accessory structures on an alley.
    § 17.28.070 · code text
    | Accessory structure (on alley) | Zero |
  • No rear setback is required.
    Applies: R-3 zone: rear yards next to land where nothing can be built, such as a ditch right-of-way.
    § 17.28.070 · code text
    | Garage or accessory structure in rear yard abutting land on which no structure can be built (example: abutting US Bureau of Reclamation ditch right-of-way) | Zero |
  • No rear setback is required.
    Applies: R-3 zone rear yards without an alley: structures with a footprint of 120 square feet or less and 6 feet tall or less.
    § 17.28.070 · code text
    | Less than or equal to 120 square foot footprint, and less than or equal to six feet tall | Zero |
  • No rear setback is required.
    Applies: R-3 zone rear yards without an alley: metal-sided and metal-roofed structures 6 feet tall or less.
    § 17.28.070 · code text
    | Structure less than or equal to six feet tall | Zero |
  • 1 foot of setback for each foot of height above 6 feet, up to 10 feet.
    Applies: R-3 zone rear yards without an alley: metal-sided and metal-roofed structures over 6 feet tall.
    § 17.28.070 · code text
    | Structure greater than six feet tall | 1′ for each foot of height above six feet, up to ten feet |
  • At least 5 feet, plus 1 foot for each foot of height above 6 feet, up to 10 feet.
    Applies: R-3 zone rear yards without an alley: non-metal structures over 120 square feet and over 6 feet tall.
    § 17.28.070 · code text
    | Non-metal sided and roofed structure greater than 120 square feet and greater than six feet tall | Minimum 5′, plus 1′ for each foot of height above 6′, up to 10′ |
  • No setback is required.
    Applies: R-1 zone interior side or rear yards without an alley: structures of 120 square feet or less, under 6 feet, needing no building permit.
    § 17.20.070 · code text
    | 120 square feet or less, below 6 feet in height, and not requiring a building permit | Zero |
  • At least 4 feet from the property line.
    Applies: R-1 zone interior side or rear yards without an alley: structures between 6 and 15 feet tall.
    § 17.20.070 · code text
    | Structure between 6 feet and 15 feet in height (regardless of square footprint) | 4 |
  • At least 4 feet, plus 1 foot for each foot of height above 15 feet.
    Applies: R-1 zone interior side or rear yards without an alley: structures between 15 and 25 feet tall.
    § 17.20.070 · code text
    | Structure between 15 feet and 25 feet in height (regardless of square footprint) | Minimum 4 ft. setback, plus 1 ft. for each additional foot above 15 ft. |
  • At least 10 feet from the street side line.
    Applies: R-1 zone corner lots: accessory structures beside the house.
    § 17.20.070 · code text
    | Accessory structure (side of house) | 10 |
  • At least 4 feet from the street side line.
    Applies: R-1 zone corner lots: accessory structures behind the rear wall line of the house.
    § 17.20.070 · code text
    | Accessory structure (behind rear plane of house) | 4 |
Distance from the house
  • At least 5 feet from any other structure.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings in the R-1 zone.
    § 17.20.070 · code text
    Detached accessory buildings shall not be located within five feet of any other structure, nor encroach on any easement.
  • At least 5 feet from any main building.
    Applies: Detached accessory buildings in the R-3 zone.
    § 17.28.070 · code text
    Detached accessory buildings shall not be located within five feet of any main building, nor within five feet of a side lot line, nor encroach on any easement.

Running a business from home

Orland code What Orland's code adds
Customer visits
  • No customers, clients, patients, salespeople or other people may visit the home for the business.
    § 17.76.060 · code text
    No customers, clients, patients, salespersons, or other persons will be visiting the subject premises in connection with the business;
Employees
  • No employees who do not live in the home.
    § 17.76.060 · code text
    The business will not employ any persons at the subject premises who do not occupy the same as their residence;
Permit
  • A home occupation use permit and a business license are required.
    Applies: Businesses in a home in a residential zone.
    § 17.76.060 · code text
    A "home occupation use permit" which allows the operation of a business in a home located in a residential zone, may be issued by the city administrator or his/her nominee
Businesses not allowed
  • businesses that involve shipping, receiving, repacking, or storage of any materials at the home
    Applies: for a home occupation use permit
    § 17.76.060 · code text
    The business does not involve shipping, receiving, repacking, or the storage of any materials on the subject premises;

Swimming pools

Orland code What Orland's code adds
Pool barrier
  • No openings, holes or gaps larger than 4 inches, measured horizontally, except doors or gates.
    Applies: Applies to outdoor pools or water deeper than 18 inches or larger than 250 square feet.
    § 15.24.010 · code text
    with openings, holes or gaps therein no larger than four inches measured horizontally, except for doors or gates
  • A single-family house or accessory building may form part of the enclosure.
    § 15.24.010 · code text
    provided, however, a single-family dwelling house or accessory building may be used as part of such enclosure.
Barrier height
  • At least 5 feet high, measured outside the enclosure.
    Applies: Applies to outdoor pools or water deeper than 18 inches or larger than 250 square feet.
    § 15.24.010 · code text
    a fence or wall not less than five feet high (measured outside the enclosure)
Gates
  • Self-closing and self-latching; the latch at least 4 feet above ground or otherwise out of reach of small children.
    Applies: Applies to breezeways, back doors, garages, and similar access points to the pool.
    § 15.24.010 · code text
    which shall be self-closing and self-latching, with such latching device placed at least four feet above ground level or otherwise made inaccessible from the outside to small children.
  • Gates and doors must self-close and self-latch.
    Applies: Applies to all gates or doors through the enclosure, except an occupied home's door that forms part of it.
    § 15.24.010 · code text
    All gates or doors opening through such enclosure shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device designed to keep and capable of keeping such door or gate securely closed at all times when not in actual use

Other Orland rules on this

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

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Orland?

R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones: fences at most 3 feet in front and side setback areas, 6 feet elsewhere, including rear yards.

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

R-1 zone: accessory structures 6 to 15 feet tall need at least 4 feet from interior side and rear lines without an alley.

Can I run a business from my home in Orland?

Home businesses in residential zones need a home occupation use permit and business license, with no visiting customers or non-resident employees.

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Orland?

Orland's code: No openings, holes or gaps larger than 4 inches, measured horizontally, except doors or gates. (Applies to outdoor pools or water deeper than 18 inches or larger than 250 square feet.) (§ 15.24.010); A single-family house or accessory building may form part of the enclosure. (§ 15.24.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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