Rancho Mirage · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Rancho Mirage

Rancho Mirage sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on where the fence stands on the parcel, and accessory height depends on director approval.

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Key points

Fence height: Fences are limited to 36 inches in the required front and street-side setbacks and to 6 feet elsewhere on the parcel (city rule).
Accessory height: Detached accessory structures are limited to 12 feet, or 16 feet with the director's written approval and a 10-foot setback plus extra setback.
Barred businesses: The city bars home businesses such as barber shops, massage parlors, vehicle repair, animal breeding, and medical or dental offices.

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

Fences and walls

Rancho Mirage code What Rancho Mirage's code adds
Corner visibility	No fence, hedge, wall, sign, shrub, earth mound or other obstruction over 36 inches above the nearest street curb. Applies: Within the traffic safety-sight area on a corner parcel. § 17.20.070 · code text On a corner parcel, no fence, hedge, sign, wall or other structure, shrubbery, mounds of earth, or other visual obstruction over thirty-six inches in height above the nearest street curb elevation shall be erected, placed, planted, or allowed to grow within a traffic safety-sight area.
Height anywhere on the lot	Fences or walls may be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Anywhere on a parcel except the traffic safety-sight area and the required front and street-side setbacks. § 17.20.070 · code text Except for custom single-family residences located within private gated developments, a maximum six-foot high fence, or wall may be located anywhere on a parcel except in a traffic safety-sight area, required front setback or street-side setback.
Front yard height	Fences and walls may be no more than 36 inches tall. Applies: In the required front or street-side setback, except certain pool, spa and other water fencing. § 17.20.070 · code text The maximum height of fences and walls within the required front or street side yard setback shall be thirty-six inches. An architectural wall or fence may be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Custom single-family homes in private gated developments, in the front setback; at least 10 feet from the property line, allowed by CC&Rs and HOA. § 17.20.070 · code text Custom single-family residences located within private gated developments may have up to a six-foot high architectural wall or fence located within the required front yard setback provided that the wall or fence is located at least ten feet away from the property line and permitted by the applicable CC&Rs and approved by the applicable HOA. Pool fencing may be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: State-required fencing around pools, spas and other water over 24 inches deep. It may extend up to 5 feet into the front setback. § 17.20.070 · code text An exception to this provision is the allowance of fencing required by the state for the purpose of enclosing swimming pools, spas, and other bodies of water over twenty-four inches in depth, in which case the fencing may encroach up to five feet into the required front setback and may be up to six feet in height.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Rancho Mirage code What Rancho Mirage's code adds
Maximum height	Detached accessory structures may be no more than 12 feet tall. Applies: Without written approval from the director. § 17.30.190 · code text The height of a detached accessory structure regardless of whether or not it is fully or partially enclosed, shall not exceed twelve feet unless approval is first obtained from the director. No more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Accessory structures in a required rear or side setback that are closer than 10 feet to the rear property line. § 17.30.190 · code text An accessory structure located within a required rear and/or side yard setback shall not exceed six feet in height if closer than ten feet from the rear property line. Detached accessory structures may be up to 16 feet tall. Applies: With the director's written approval; at least 10 feet from side or rear property lines, plus the extra required setback. § 17.30.190 · code text In cases where detached accessory structures first obtain written approval from the director, said detached accessory structure(s) shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from a side or rear property line, plus provide an additional 2:1 setback for each vertical foot in height up to a maximum of sixteen feet.
Size or lot coverage	All accessory structures together may cover no more than 30% of the main home's habitable floor area. Applies: Residential zoning districts. § 17.30.190 · code text The aggregate site coverage of accessory structures in residential zoning districts shall not exceed thirty percent of the habitable floor area of the main dwelling. Accessory structures may cover no more than 15% of a required side setback area. Applies: Applies within a required side setback area. § 17.30.190 · code text Accessory structures may occupy up to a maximum of fifteen percent of a required side setback area and up to a maximum of twenty-five percent of a required rear setback area. Accessory structures may cover no more than 25% of a required rear setback area. Applies: Applies within a required rear setback area. § 17.30.190 · code text Accessory structures may occupy up to a maximum of fifteen percent of a required side setback area and up to a maximum of twenty-five percent of a required rear setback area.
Side and rear setback	At least 10 feet from side or rear property lines. Applies: Detached accessory structures over 12 feet, up to 16 feet, with director approval; plus an extra 2:1 setback for each foot of height. § 17.30.190 · code text In cases where detached accessory structures first obtain written approval from the director, said detached accessory structure(s) shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from a side or rear property line, plus provide an additional 2:1 setback for each vertical foot in height up to a maximum of sixteen feet. At least 10 feet from the rear property line, and not in a side setback. Applies: Accessory structures 6 feet tall or taller. § 17.30.190 · code text An accessory structure six feet or more in height shall not be located within a side setback and shall be located no closer than ten feet from the rear property line. No side or rear setback is required. Applies: Accessory structures under 6 feet tall, only if screened from neighbors by a 6-foot solid fence or wall. § 17.30.190 · code text An accessory structure less than six feet in height shall have no side or rear setback requirement, provided it is screened from neighboring views with a solid fence or wall that is six feet high.
Distance from the house	At least 8 feet from the main structure. Applies: Detached accessory structures. They must also be at least 3 feet from other accessory structures. § 17.30.190 · code text A detached accessory structure shall not be located closer than eight feet to a main structure or closer than three feet to any other accessory structure on the same property or as otherwise specified in this code.

Running a business from home

Rancho Mirage code What Rancho Mirage's code adds
Businesses not allowed	Adult business; barber and beauty shop; businesses involving breeding, grooming, harboring, raising, or training dogs, cats, or other animals on the premises; carpentry and cabinet making, except a normal wood-working hobby operation; dance club/night club; fortune telling (psychic); massage parlor; medical and dental offices, clinics, and laboratories; mini-storage; plant nursery; storage of equipment, materials, and other accessories to the construction and service trades; vehicle repair, upholstery, automobile detailing, and painting, except mobile minor repair or detailing at the customer's location; welding and machining; other similar uses determined by the director not to be incidental to or compatible with residential activities § 17.44.040 · code text The following list presents example commercial uses that are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities, are suitable only in nonresidential zoning districts, and are therefore prohibited:

Solar panels and EV chargers

Rancho Mirage code What Rancho Mirage's code adds
EV charger permit	The building official issues all needed permits when the application meets the city's checklist and applicable laws. Applies: Applies to permit applications that meet the city's adopted checklist. § 15.86.040 · code text A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the city's adopted checklist, shall be promptly processed.
Solar permit process	Administrative, non-discretionary expedited review. The permit is issued when the application meets the city-approved checklist. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar systems that meet the city-approved checklist. § 15.84.050 · code text For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the city-approved checklist, the city will issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit. 1 city inspection is required. Inspections may be combined. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.84.050 · code text Only one inspection will be required and performed by the city for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.

Swimming pools

Rancho Mirage code What Rancho Mirage's code adds
Maintenance and empty pools	An abandoned, unfiltered or unmaintained pool, spa or similar water feature with polluted water is unlawful and a public nuisance. Applies: Pools, spas, ponds, reservoirs or similar man-made bodies of water not already regulated elsewhere in the city code. § 14.60.280 · code text It is unlawful and it shall be a public nuisance for any person owning, leasing, occupying or having charge or possession of any premises or property in the city to maintain upon any such premises or property any swimming pool, spa or similar man-made feature, reservoir, pond, or such other body of water not already regulated by Municipal Code Section 8.16.170, which is abandoned, unattended, unfiltered, or not otherwise maintained resulting in the water becoming polluted.

Pets, chickens and bees

Rancho Mirage code What Rancho Mirage's code adds
Bees	Yes, up to 2 permanent hive colonies. Applies: Per single-family home in residential zones, on lots of 1 acre or less. § 6.70.030 · code text The maximum number of permanent beehive colonies that may be kept per single-family dwelling unit shall be limited to two colonies on lots that are one acre and less in area, and four colonies on lots greater than one acre. Yes, up to 4 permanent hive colonies. Applies: Per single-family home in residential zones, on lots larger than 1 acre. § 6.70.030 · code text The maximum number of permanent beehive colonies that may be kept per single-family dwelling unit shall be limited to two colonies on lots that are one acre and less in area, and four colonies on lots greater than one acre. Hives in rear yard, at least 10 feet from all property lines, behind a barrier at least 6 feet high. Applies: Applies to all beehive colonies. § 6.70.030 · code text Beehive colonies shall be located at least ten feet from all property lines.
Permit	Register each apiary with the State of California, and notify owners within 500 feet within 2 weeks of registering. Applies: Applies to beekeepers. § 6.70.030 · code text Every person that is the owner or is in possession of an apiary shall comply with the California State requirements for registration of each apiary owned or operated in the city of Rancho Mirage.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Rancho Mirage?

Fences are limited to 36 inches in the required front and street-side setbacks and to 6 feet elsewhere on the parcel (city rule).

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Rancho Mirage?

Detached accessory structures are limited to 12 feet, or 16 feet with the director's written approval and a 10-foot setback plus extra setback.

Can I run a business from my home in Rancho Mirage?

The city bars home businesses such as barber shops, massage parlors, vehicle repair, animal breeding, and medical or dental offices.

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

Rancho Mirage's code: The building official issues all needed permits when the application meets the city's checklist and applicable laws. (Applies to permit applications that meet the city's adopted checklist.) (§ 15.86.040); Administrative, non-discretionary expedited review. The permit is issued when the application meets the city-approved checklist. (Applies to small home rooftop solar systems that meet the city-approved checklist.) (§ 15.84.050).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Rancho Mirage?

Rancho Mirage's code: An abandoned, unfiltered or unmaintained pool, spa or similar water feature with polluted water is unlawful and a public nuisance. (Pools, spas, ponds, reservoirs or similar man-made bodies of water not already regulated elsewhere in the city code.) (§ 14.60.280).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Rancho Mirage?

Rancho Mirage's code: Yes, up to 2 permanent hive colonies. (Per single-family home in residential zones, on lots of 1 acre or less.) (§ 6.70.030); Yes, up to 4 permanent hive colonies. (Per single-family home in residential zones, on lots larger than 1 acre.) (§ 6.70.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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