San Bernardino · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in San Bernardino
San Bernardino sets its own rules on fence permits and on which businesses may not run from a home.
Key points
- Fence permits: Fences up to 6 feet high need no building permit, except concrete and masonry fences more than 3 feet above grade (city rule).
- Barred businesses: The city bars home businesses such as barber shops, animal grooming or breeding, vehicle repair, medical offices, and welding.
Each rule below is marked San Bernardino code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Permit |
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|---|
Running a business from home
| Businesses not allowed |
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Swimming pools
| Pool barrier |
|
|---|---|
| Barrier height |
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| Gates |
|
| Maintenance and empty pools |
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| Setback from property lines |
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Pets, chickens and bees
| Pet limit |
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|---|
Other San Bernardino rules on this
San Bernardino's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Permit to remove several trees from a lot (Ch. 15.34)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in San Bernardino?
Fences up to 6 feet high need no building permit, except concrete and masonry fences more than 3 feet above grade (city rule).
Can I run a business from my home in San Bernardino?
The city bars home businesses such as barber shops, animal grooming or breeding, vehicle repair, medical offices, and welding.
What are the pool fence and setback rules in San Bernardino?
San Bernardino's code: No openings, holes or gaps larger than 4 inches square. (§ 15.48.030); Gaps between pickets or vertical members at most 4 inches wide and at least 36 inches tall. (Picket fences or other fences made of vertical members.) (§ 15.48.030).
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in San Bernardino?
San Bernardino's code: No more than 3 dogs 4 months or older. (Any lot, unless the zoning code allows more.) (§ 6.08.020); No more than 5 cats 4 months or older. (Any lot, unless the zoning code or this chapter allows more.) (§ 6.10.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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