Porterville · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Porterville

Porterville sets fence heights by yard and lets the Zoning Administrator allow 8-foot side and rear fences with a building permit. Many home businesses are not allowed, including engine and vehicle repair, fix-it and welding shops, animal grooming and healing arts.

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Key points

Fence heights: Required front yard: solid fences at most 3.5 feet, at least 50% open fences or hedges 4 feet; side and rear yards, 7 feet.
Accessory limits: Residential detached accessory structures: at most 18 feet, or 24 feet if stepped back; 1,200 square feet total unless the Zoning Administrator approves more.
Home businesses: Home occupations need zoning conformance approval and may have at most 6 patrons a day, with no employees who live elsewhere.

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

Fences and walls

Porterville code What Porterville's code adds
Front yard height	Solid fences or freestanding walls may be no more than 3.5 feet tall. Applies: In or along the outer edge of the required front yard. § 300.03 · code text No solid fence or freestanding wall within or along the exterior boundary of the required front yard shall exceed a height of three and one-half (3.5) feet. Open or lattice fences at least 50% open, or hedges, may be no more than 4 feet tall. Applies: In or along the outer edge of the required front yard. § 300.03 · code text Open or lattice type fences that are at least fifty percent (50%) open, or hedges, shall not exceed a height of four (4) feet.
Side and rear yard height	Fences or freestanding walls may be no more than 7 feet tall. Applies: In or along the outer edge of the required side or rear yards. § 300.03 · code text No fence or freestanding wall within or along the exterior boundary of the required side or rear yards shall exceed a height of seven (7) feet. A fence or wall may be up to 8 feet tall. Applies: Along the outer edge of the required side or rear yard, only if the Zoning Administrator allows it, with a building permit. § 300.03 · code text The Zoning Administrator may allow a fence or wall up to eight (8) feet in height to be located along the exterior boundary of the required side or rear yard subject to the issuance of a building permit.
Permit	A building permit is required for a fence or wall up to 8 feet, when the Zoning Administrator allows it. Applies: Along the outer edge of the required side or rear yard. § 300.03 · code text The Zoning Administrator may allow a fence or wall up to eight (8) feet in height to be located along the exterior boundary of the required side or rear yard subject to the issuance of a building permit.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Porterville code What Porterville's code adds
Maximum height	Detached accessory structures may be no more than 18 feet tall. Applies: Residential detached accessory structures. § 301.01 · code text The maximum height shall not exceed eighteen (18) feet. The Zoning Administrator may consider heights up to 24 feet. Applies: Residential detached accessory structures stepped back 1 foot from side and rear setback lines for each foot above 18 feet. § 301.01 · code text The Zoning Administrator may consider buildings exceeding eighteen (18) feet in height that are stepped back one (1) foot from the required side and rear setback lines for every foot of height above eighteen (18) feet up to twenty-four (24) feet. Agricultural accessory structures may be no more than 35 feet tall. Applies: In the AC and RR districts, unless the Zoning Administrator approves more. § 301.01 · code text The agricultural accessory structure shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height unless approved by the Zoning Administrator.
Size or lot coverage	Detached accessory structures may total no more than 1,200 square feet of floor area. Applies: Residential lots, unless the Zoning Administrator approves more. § 301.01 · code text The floor area of detached accessory structures shall not exceed a cumulative floor area of one thousand two-hundred (1,200) square feet unless approved by the Zoning Administrator. An accessory building may be no larger than the ground floor area of the main building. Applies: Each residential accessory building. § 301.01 · code text In no case shall the accessory building exceed the ground floor area of the main building and in no case shall the maximum lot coverage allowed by the development standards be exceeded.
Side and rear setback	At least 4 feet from any rear property line. Applies: Detached accessory buildings in the rear one-third of a lot. § 301.01 · code text When located in the rear one-third of a lot, detached accessory buildings shall not be located closer than four (4) feet to any rear property line. At least 1 foot from the rear property line. Applies: Detached accessory buildings where the rear property line is also the edge of an alley right-of-way. § 301.01 · code text In instances where the rear property line is coterminous with an alley right-of-way, the accessory building shall not be closer than one (1) foot to such rear property line.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from any main building. Applies: Agricultural accessory structures. § 301.01 · code text Agricultural accessory structures shall be separated from any main building by a minimum of six (6) feet. At least 6 feet from any main building. Applies: Residential detached accessory structures that need a building permit, except shade structures. § 301.01 · code text Detached accessory structures requiring a building permit, with the exception of shade structures, shall be separated from any main building by a minimum of six (6) feet.

Running a business from home

Porterville code What Porterville's code adds
Customer visits	No more than 6 patrons or customers per calendar day. § 301.09 · code text The home occupation shall not attract or generate excessive auto or foot traffic, require additional off-street parking spaces, involve the use of commercial vehicles for delivery of materials or supplies to or from the premises, or exceed six (6) patrons or customers for any calendar day. Clients may not come to the home to use the mobile unit. Applies: Mobile service businesses that serve clients at the client's location. § 301.09 · code text A client may not come to the home of the business to use the mobile unit.
Employees	No one who does not live on the premises may be employed there. Applies: At the home business site. § 301.09 · code text No person not residing on the premises may be employed at the site of the home occupation.
Permit	Zoning conformance approval is required. § 301.09 · code text Home occupations are subject to zoning conformance approval pursuant to Chapter 602, “Zoning Conformance Review”. A business license and a home occupation permit are required. Applies: More than 2 but no more than 4 yard sales per year. § 301.09 · code text More than two yard sales per year, but not more than four yard sales per year, may be permitted subject to issuance of a business license and a home occupation permit subject to the following standards:
Businesses not allowed	The repair, reconditioning, servicing or manufacture of any internal combustion or diesel engine or of any motor vehicle, including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, or boats § 301.09 · code text The repair, reconditioning, servicing or manufacture of any internal combustion or diesel engine or of any motor vehicle, including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, or boats. Repair, fix-it or plumbing, welding or fabrication shops where the trade-work is done at the site of the home occupation § 301.09 · code text Repair, fix-it or plumbing, welding or fabrication shops where the trade-work is done at the site of the home occupation. Uses that entail the harboring, training, raising, or grooming of dogs, cats or other animals on the premises § 301.09 · code text Uses that entail the harboring, training, raising, or grooming of dogs, cats or other animals on the premises. Uses that entail food handling, processing or packing, other than those permitted by cottage food operation § 301.09 · code text Uses that entail food handling, processing or packing, other than those permitted by cottage food operation. Healing arts § 301.09 · code text Healing arts. Spiritual advisory service (fortune-telling) § 301.09 · code text Spiritual advisory service (fortune-telling).

Solar panels and EV chargers

Porterville code What Porterville's code adds
EV charger permit	Administrative, nondiscretionary review. The Building Official issues all needed permits when the application meets the City checklist. Electronic submittal accepted. Applies: Applies to EV charging station applications. § 7-58 · code text Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the City checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws the Building Official shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, approve the application and issue all necessary permits. Only 1 inspection where feasible. Applies: More inspections may be required for deficiencies or for related work the code requires. § 7-58.3 · code text Only one inspection shall be required where feasible. Additional inspections may be required if deficiencies are identified or warranted due to contingent and/or related work by code.
Solar permit process	Administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review. 1 inspection, scheduled within 2 business days of a request. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review. § 7-18 · code text The engineering and building division shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit the same day for over the counter application or within one to three (3) business days for electronic application of receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved administrative process and standard plan. You may apply by email, internet or fax. Permits are issued in person. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar permit applicants. § 7-17 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit applications and documents by e-mail, the internet, or facsimile shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
Review time	Same day for over-the-counter applications; 1 to 3 business days for electronic applications. Applies: Applies to complete small home rooftop solar applications. § 7-18 · code text The engineering and building division shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit the same day for over the counter application or within one to three (3) business days for electronic application of receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved administrative process and standard plan.

Swimming pools

Porterville code What Porterville's code adds
Setback from property lines	Water's edge at least 5 feet from any lot line or building; not in required front yard or landscaped areas. Applies: Applies to swimming pools in any zoning district. § 300.12 · code text Swimming pools located in any zoning district shall not be located in the required front yard, required landscaped areas or closer than five (5) feet from the water’s edge to any lot line or building.

Pets, chickens and bees

Porterville code What Porterville's code adds
Bees	No. Honeybees are banned, except the number needed to pollinate crops on the property while pollination is needed. § 18-28 · code text Placement of bees on property that has crops dependent upon bee pollination for crop production shall be exempt from the provisions of this section. Only the number of bees reasonably necessary to pollinate the crops located on the subject property during the time pollination is required shall be so exempt.
Chickens	Yes, up to 3 hens. Applies: Single-family homes. Hens must be in a fenced area in the rear yard. No roosters. § 5-3.1 · code text A total of not more than three (3) chicken hens may be kept and maintained in a clean and sanitary environment. Yes, up to 12 birds per gross acre. Applies: AC and RR zones, on lots of 0.5 acre or more and single-family lots of 2 acres or more. § 5-3.1 · code text The keeping of chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, game birds or fowl is permitted with the total number not to exceed twelve (12) birds per gross acre.
Coop setback	At least 30 feet from any home, except the chicken owner's own home. Applies: Applies to chicken coops. § 5-3.1 · code text No part of any structure (i.e., coop) shall be located less than thirty feet (30') from any residence, other than a residence owned and occupied by the person owning or in possession of such chickens. At least 35 feet from property lines and 50 feet from any home. Applies: Applies to housing or pens for animals other than household pets. § 5-3.1 · code text All animals other than household pets shall be housed or penned at a minimum distance of thirty five feet (35') from property lines and fifty feet (50') from any residence.
Large animals	Horses, cows, goats, sheep and similar animals: 1 per 15,000 square feet of lot area. Applies: AC and RR zones, on lots of 0.5 acre or more and single-family lots of 2 acres or more. § 5-3.1 · code text the number of animals does not exceed one per fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet of lot area. Pigs: 1 per student. Applies: Applies to an FFA or 4-H fair project. The student must live on the property. § 5-3.1 · code text The raising of pigs is permitted in conjunction with an FFA or 4-H project for any recognized fair, the limit being one animal per student residing on the property.
Permit	Zoning administrator approval is required. Applies: Keeping horses, cows, goats, sheep or similar animals in the AC and RR zones on qualifying lots. § 5-3.1 · code text The keeping of horses, cows, goats, sheep or other equine, bovine, ovine or ruminant animals is permitted in the AC and RR zone districts on lots one-half (0.5) acre or greater and on lots two (2) acres or larger developed as a single-family residential use, subject to zoning administrator approval
Pet limit	No more than 7 household pets combined. Applies: Applies to all household pets combined. § 5-3.1 · code text At no time shall the combined number of animals kept exceed seven (7) animals. No more than 3 cats, dogs or chickens. § 5-3.1 · code text At no time shall the number of cats, dogs, or chickens exceed three (3) animals.

Other Porterville rules on this

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

Parking and storing RVs, boats and trailers (§ 304.11)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Porterville?

Required front yard: solid fences at most 3.5 feet, at least 50% open fences or hedges 4 feet; side and rear yards, 7 feet.

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

Residential detached accessory structures: at most 18 feet, or 24 feet if stepped back; 1,200 square feet total unless the Zoning Administrator approves more.

Can I run a business from my home in Porterville?

Home occupations need zoning conformance approval and may have at most 6 patrons a day, with no employees who live elsewhere.

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

Porterville's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary review. The Building Official issues all needed permits when the application meets the City checklist. Electronic submittal accepted. (Applies to EV charging station applications.) (§ 7-58); Only 1 inspection where feasible. (More inspections may be required for deficiencies or for related work the code requires.) (§ 7-58.3).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Porterville?

Porterville's code: Water's edge at least 5 feet from any lot line or building; not in required front yard or landscaped areas. (Applies to swimming pools in any zoning district.) (§ 300.12).

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

Porterville's code: No. Honeybees are banned, except the number needed to pollinate crops on the property while pollination is needed. (§ 18-28); Yes, up to 3 hens. (Single-family homes. Hens must be in a fenced area in the rear yard. No roosters.) (§ 5-3.1).

General information, not legal advice.

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