Riverbank · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Riverbank

Riverbank sets its own fence height limits. The limit depends on the yard, the fence type and sight lines at corners and driveways.

Ask about building on your lot in Riverbank See coverage

Key points

Front yards: Front and corner street-side setbacks: fences, walls and hedges limited to 3 feet; 90% transparent fences along a corner side street, 4 feet.
Other yards: Solid fences in other required yards are limited to 7 feet, and any fence over 6 feet needs a permit (city rule).

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

Fences and walls

Riverbank code Front and corner street-side setbacks: fences, walls and hedges limited to 3 feet; 90% transparent fences along a corner side street, 4 feet. Solid fences in other required yards are limited to 7 feet, and any fence over 6 feet needs a permit (city rule).

All 9 Riverbank rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Riverbank code What Riverbank's code adds
EV charger permit	Permits are issued once the application meets the city's checklist; no energizing or use before city approval. Applies: Applies to EV charging stations. § 150.17 · code text Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the permit application and supporting documents meet the requirements of the city adopted checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the Building Official shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, approve the application and issue all necessary permits.
Solar height and setbacks	The panel array may not exceed the maximum legal building height. Applies: Required to qualify as a small residential rooftop solar system for expedited review. § 150.16 · code text A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the authority having jurisdiction.
Solar permit process	Administrative approval after a complete checklist application; only 1 inspection is required. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review that meet the checklist. § 150.16 · code text Upon confirmation by the building official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations within one to three working days in which the permit application is submitted.
Review time	Approved within 1 to 3 working days. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar eligible for expedited review, once the application is complete and meets the checklist. § 150.16 · code text Upon confirmation by the building official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations within one to three working days in which the permit application is submitted.

Tree removal

Riverbank code Removable if dead, irreversibly declining, falling, endangering structures, blocking utilities or sight lines, or a health hazard; Director verifies. The tree rules do not stop an owner from creating a single, regularly shaped rear yard lawn.

All 13 Riverbank rules on tree removal, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Riverbank code What Riverbank's code adds
Floodplain permit	You need a development permit before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, in any special flood hazard area. § 151.22 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in § 151.07.
Building in a floodway	No new construction or development, including fill, unless all development together raises base flood levels no more than 1 foot. Applies: Applies in Zones A1-30 and AE until a regulatory floodway is adopted. § 151.35 · code text Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones A1-30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the city. No fill, construction or other encroachment unless a registered civil engineer certifies it will not raise base flood levels. Applies: Applies within an adopted regulatory floodway. § 151.35 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the city shall prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development, unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating that the proposed encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones. § 151.30 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 Zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. The lowest floor must be at least as high above the highest adjacent ground as the flood map depth number. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone where the flood map shows a depth number. § 151.30 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the highest adjacent ground. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone where the flood map shows no depth number. § 151.30 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone, where the flood map shows no base flood elevation. § 151.30 · code text In an A zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM (unnumbered A zone) elevated to or above the base flood elevation, as determined under § 151.14(C).

Grading and erosion control

Riverbank code The grading/clearing statement must describe temporary and permanent stabilization, erosion and drainage controls. Exempt: cuts or fills to 2 feet, slopes under 10%, berms to 4 feet, landscaping soil 6 inches or less.

All 3 Riverbank rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →

Noise and construction hours

Riverbank code Noise may not exceed 50 dBA hourly average or 70 dBA maximum. Noise may not exceed 45 dBA hourly average or 65 dBA maximum.

All 4 Riverbank rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
Zoning	A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)
Business license or fee	A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)
Local rules	Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)
Small home	Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)
Large home	7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)

Trash and recycling carts

Riverbank code Must subscribe to the city's organic waste collection services for all organic waste generated Put food waste and other green container organic waste in the green container; black container waste in the black container

All 4 Riverbank rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Riverbank's code: Administrative approval after a complete checklist application; only 1 inspection is required. (Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review that meet the checklist.) (§ 150.16); Permits are issued once the application meets the city's checklist; no energizing or use before city approval. (Applies to EV charging stations.) (§ 150.17).

What are the rules for building in a Riverbank flood zone?

Riverbank's code: You need a development permit before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, in any special flood hazard area. (§ 151.22); The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 151.30).

Can I run a family child care home in Riverbank?

California law sets this for every city, including Riverbank: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).

General information, not legal advice.

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