Poway · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Poway

Poway sets wall and fence heights in residential zones, with 8 feet only where the Director of Development Services allows it for noise attenuation. Driveway entry gates on lots of at least 1 acre in some rural zones may reach 7 feet.

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Key points

Fence heights: In residential zones, walls and fences are limited to 6 feet; in the required front yard, the top 2 feet must be open fencing.
Home businesses: Home occupations are a permitted use in listed residential zones under Chapter 17.28 PMC; marijuana dispensaries, cultivation and delivery are not allowed.

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

Fences and walls

Poway code What Poway's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet tall within 15 feet of where the driveway meets the street right-of-way. Applies: Residential zones; walls or fences next to a driveway or street that gives vehicle access to a neighboring lot or street. § 17.08.240 · code text A wall or fence adjacent to a driveway or street providing vehicular access to an abutting lot or street shall not exceed three feet in height within 15 feet of the intersection of the driveway and the street right-of-way and/or shall comply with Cal-Trans’s design standards for site visibility.
Height anywhere on the lot	Walls, fences, retaining walls and driveway entry gates may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Residential zones, unless the fence rules allow otherwise. § 17.08.240 · code text A wall, fence, retaining wall, or driveway entry gate and associated pilasters including any appurtenances or any combination thereof shall not exceed six feet in height, except as herein provided. Driveway entry gates and their pilasters may be no more than 7 feet tall. Applies: Properties of at least 1 acre zoned RR-A, RR-B, RR-C or RS-1. § 17.08.240 · code text The maximum height of driveway entry gates and associated pilasters, on properties that are at least one acre in size and zoned RR-A, RR-B, RR-C, or RS-1, shall not exceed seven feet. A wall or fence may be up to 8 feet tall. Applies: Residential zones, only where needed to reduce noise from arterial streets or other sources, if the Director of Development Services allows it. § 17.08.240 · code text A wall or fence up to eight feet in height may be allowed by the Director of Development Services where necessary for noise attenuation from arterial streets or other noise sources.
Front yard height	Fences or walls may be up to 6 feet tall; at least the top 2 feet must be open. Applies: Residential zones, required front yard. Retaining walls, driveway entry gates and walls approved for noise reduction do not need the open top. § 17.08.240 · code text Within the required front yard area, at a minimum, the top two feet of a six-foot fence or wall shall be constructed of open fencing as conceptually shown in Figure B below, unless the wall is a retaining wall, a driveway entry gate and associated pilasters, or additional height is approved for noise attenuation purposes.
Side and rear yard height	Solid walls or fences may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Residential zones, along interior side and rear lot lines. They may not extend into a required front yard, except for noise reduction. § 17.08.240 · code text A solid wall or fence not more than six feet in height may be maintained along the interior side of rear lot lines, except as required by PMC § 17.08.220(A); provided, that such wall or fence does not extend into a required front yard except for noise attenuation as required by the City and as provided in this chapter.

Running a business from home

Poway code What Poway's code adds
Permit	Home businesses are a permitted use, subject to the city's home occupation rules. Applies: Residential zones RR-A through RR-C, RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RS-4, RS-7, RC and RA. § 17.08.130 · code text A. Home occupations subject to the provisions of Chapter 17.28 PMC \| P \| P \| P \| P \| P \| P \| P
Businesses not allowed	Marijuana dispensaries, collectives and cooperatives, cultivation, delivery, manufacturing and storage Applies: Residential zones listed in the table: RR-A through C, RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RS-4, RS-7, RC, and RA § 17.08.130 · code text B. Marijuana: dispensaries, collectives and cooperatives, cultivation, delivery, manufacturing and storage as defined in PMC § 17.04.514 \| X \| X \| X \| X \| X \| X \| X

Solar panels and EV chargers

Poway code What Poway's code adds
Solar permit process	Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar photovoltaic systems. § 15.26.040 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy photovoltaic system permit applicants. Permit issued promptly for a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plan. Meter upgrades need utility approval first. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar photovoltaic systems. § 15.26.050 · code text The Building Division of the Development Services Department shall issue a building permit in a timely manner after receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, as well as all applicable local, state and federal requirements for health and safety. No permit is needed for routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements. Applies: Applies to systems legally set up or permitted before this chapter took effect. § 15.26.020 · code text Routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements shall not require a permit.

Tree removal

Poway code What Poway's code adds
Permit to remove	Yes. A private tree removal permit is required. Applies: Applies to native trees or heritage trees on private property. § 12.32.150 · code text A property owner shall first obtain a private tree removal permit authorizing the removal of a private tree that is a native tree or a heritage tree subject to terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Director of Development Services or his/her designee.
Replacement trees	Applicants are expected to replace removed native or heritage trees under the city's tree replacement rules. Applies: Applies to private tree removal permits. § 12.32.150 · code text Applicants shall be expected to replace these types of trees in accordance with PMC § 12.32.170; “Replacement of Trees.”

Swimming pools

Poway code No more than 4 inches between a hard surface and the bottom of the barrier. No more than 2 inches between earth and the bottom of the barrier.

All 18 Poway rules on swimming pools, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Pets, chickens and bees

Poway code What Poway's code adds
Coop setback	At least 35 feet from a neighboring home. Applies: Applies to small animals, including poultry. § 17.32.020 · code text No small animal shall be kept closer than 35 feet to an adjoining dwelling.
Permit	A minor conditional use permit or conditional use permit is required. Applies: More large animals than the parcel-size table allows, in rural residential and single-family zones on lots of 10,000 square feet or more. § 17.32.010 · code text The following numbers of animals are the maximum allowed unless a minor conditional use permit or conditional use permit is obtained pursuant to PMC § 17.08.110(D):

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Poway?

In residential zones, walls and fences are limited to 6 feet; in the required front yard, the top 2 feet must be open fencing.

Can I run a business from my home in Poway?

Home occupations are a permitted use in listed residential zones under Chapter 17.28 PMC; marijuana dispensaries, cultivation and delivery are not allowed.

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

Poway's code: Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted. (Applies to small home rooftop solar photovoltaic systems.) (§ 15.26.040); Permit issued promptly for a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plan. Meter upgrades need utility approval first. (Applies to small home rooftop solar photovoltaic systems.) (§ 15.26.050).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Poway?

Poway's code: Yes. A private tree removal permit is required. (Applies to native trees or heritage trees on private property.) (§ 12.32.150); Applicants are expected to replace removed native or heritage trees under the city's tree replacement rules. (Applies to private tree removal permits.) (§ 12.32.150).

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

Poway's code: At least 35 feet from a neighboring home. (Applies to small animals, including poultry.) (§ 17.32.020); A minor conditional use permit or conditional use permit is required. (More large animals than the parcel-size table allows, in rural residential and single-family zones on lots of 10,000 square feet or more.) (§ 17.32.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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