Building on your lot in Rancho Santa Margarita

Corner lot side yards shall maintain a height limit of three feet within ten feet of a corner side property line. At no time shall such fence, wall, hedge or landscape screening encroach into any area of unrestricted visibility as specified in Section 9.06.100.

Lots adjacent to arterials and highways with a noise contour of 65 dBA or greater as shown in the General Plan noise element may, for noise attenuation purposes, install and maintain a fence or wall to a maximum of eight feet.

Front yard. Three and one-half feet.

The Development Services Director may approve fences up to five feet in height in front yards if the following requirements are met:

Side yard. Six feet with the exception of corner lots.

Rear yard. Six feet.

However, in no case shall such a fence or wall exceed eight feet from the base of the fence or wall to the top.

Building permits are required prior to the erection of fences in accordance with the requirements of the most recent Uniform Building Code adopted by the City.

The structure shall not exceed the height of the principal structure on the building site, except as may otherwise be permitted under Section 9.04.190 (accessory dwelling units).

Detached fireplaces, barbecues, fire pits, landscape structures and other similar structures, with a height less than five feet, shall be permitted to encroach into the rear and side setback areas unless the adopted Uniform Building Code regulations require a more restrictive setback.

No detached fireplace, barbecue, fire pit, landscape structure or other similar structures shall exceed eight feet in height unless approved through the alternative development standard process described in Section 9.08.050.

Decks, porches and balconies over six feet in height measured from finished grade shall not exceed 60 percent of the total length of the principal building elevation to which it is attached and shall maintain all building setbacks of the principal structure.

If less than 450 square feet in gross floor area, the structure shall be located a minimum distance from the parcel's rear and side property line equal to the height of the structure.

If such structures are five feet or greater in height or if the structure is 450 square feet or more in gross floor area, they shall maintain the minimum side and rear yard setback for the zoning district.

An open patio cover may be erected within the required rear yard to a minimum of three feet from the rear property line.

The structure shall maintain a minimum separation of five feet between the detached accessory structure and the main building.

No more than two rooms in the dwelling or 20 percent of the residence, whichever is less, shall be employed for the use of the home occupation.

There shall be no more than one employee, who is not a resident of the site where the home occupation is established, working on the premises.

Home occupations are permitted when conducted as an accessory use to a residential use in any residential zoning district.

Wholesale and retail sales of automobiles is not permitted.

Dating services are not permitted.

Fortunetelling, palm reading, psychics, and similar activities are not permitted.

Massage services are not permitted.

Any vehicle of a length in excess of 25 feet or a weight in excess of 10,000 pounds.

When performing repairs of an emergency nature on the vehicle itself not to exceed 12 consecutive hours.

Loading and unloading, as used in this section, shall mean active loading and unloading, including the performance of those activities required to prepare the vehicle for either travel or storage for a period of time not to exceed 12 hours, during which the vehicle cannot reasonably be taken on the road or moved to a place of otherwise lawful storage.

Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the City's checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the Building Official shall, consistent with Government Code § 65850.7, approve the application and issue all necessary permits.

Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the Building Department for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review.

For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the City's checklist and standard plan, the Building Department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit or authorization within three business days.

Pools, whirlpools and spas must be enclosed by a fence as required by the adopted Uniform Building Code.

All pool equipment shall be completely screened from view from any public right-of-way and from any adjacent property.

Pools, whirlpools and spas shall be located no closer than three feet from the edge of the water to any side or rear property line.

Every owner, keeper, custodian or harborer of livestock shall erect and/or maintain a fence as herein described to contain and confine, consistent with zoning requirements, all livestock kept or maintained on his or her premises.

Every person owning or having custody of five or more dogs, over the age of four months, for the purpose as described in Section 5.12.1100, must obtain an additional animal license as required under Article XI of this Chapter

Every person owning or having custody of five or more cats, over the age of four months, for the purpose as described in Section 5.12.1100, must obtain an additional animal license as required under Article XI of this Chapter.