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San Marino · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in San Marino

San Marino sets its own limits on fences, hedges and accessory buildings. Front-yard limits depend on the area district, and hedges along some major streets may be taller.

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Key points

  • Fence height: Front-yard fences: at most 4 feet, or 5 ft 6 in in Area Districts I and II; R-1 side and rear yards, 6 feet.
  • Accessory buildings: Detached garages and accessory buildings are limited to 16 feet, or 30 feet with a livable second story, and 1/3 of the rear yard.

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

Fences and walls

San Marino code What San Marino's code adds
Front yard height
  • No more than 4 feet high.
    Applies: Fences, yard walls or retaining walls in front yards in Area Districts III, IV, V, VI or VII.
    § 23.13.04 · code text
    No fence, yard wall or retaining wall in Area District III, IV, V, VI or VII shall exceed four feet (4') in height.
  • No more than 5 feet 6 inches high.
    Applies: Fences, yard walls or retaining walls in front yards in Area District I or II.
    § 23.13.04 · code text
    No fence, yard wall or retaining wall in Area District I or II shall exceed five feet six inches (5'6") in height.
  • No more than 4 feet high.
    Applies: R-1 front yards: fences and walls less than 20 feet from the side street line of a corner lot next to a key lot.
    § 23.13.04 · code text
    Fences, yard walls and retaining walls less than twenty feet (20') from the side street property line on a corner lot abutting a key lot shall not exceed four feet (4') in height.
  • Hedges no more than 4 feet high.
    Applies: Required front yards in the R-1 zone. Other hedge limits apply in Area District II, Districts IE and I, and listed major streets.
    § 23.13.04 · code text
    No hedge shall exceed four feet (4') in height in the required front yard in the R-1 Zone.
  • Hedges no more than 5 feet or the height of a legal wall or fence, whichever is greater.
    Applies: Required front yards in the R-1 zone, Area District II.
    § 23.13.04 · code text
    In the R-1 Zone, Area District II, no hedge shall exceed the greater of 5 feet (5') or the height of a legally existing or permitted wall or fence in the required front yard.
  • Hedges no more than 4 feet or the height of a legal chainlink or wire fence, whichever is greater.
    Applies: Required front yards in the R-1 zone, Districts IE and I only.
    § 23.13.04 · code text
    In Districts IE and I only, no hedge shall exceed the greater of four feet (4') or the height of an existing and legally permitted chainlink or wire front yard fence.
  • Hedges no more than 8 feet high.
    Applies: Properties facing Huntington Drive, Sierra Madre, California and San Gabriel Boulevards, Los Robles Avenue, and Oak Knoll Avenue north of Huntington.
    § 23.13.04 · code text
    Hedges on these specific streets shall not exceed eight feet (8') in height.
  • No more than 4 feet high.
    Applies: Retaining walls in the front yard.
    § 23.13.04 · code text
    No retaining wall shall exceed four feet (4') in height.
Side and rear yard height
  • No more than 6 feet high.
    Applies: Fences, yard walls and retaining walls in required side or rear yards in the R-1 zone.
    § 23.13.04 · code text
    Fences, yard walls and retaining walls within the required side yard shall not exceed six feet (6') in height.
  • No more than 4 feet high.
    Applies: R-1 side or rear yards: less than 20 feet from the side street line of a corner lot next to a key lot.
    § 23.13.04 · code text
    Fences, gates, pilasters, yard walls, and retaining walls less than twenty feet (20') from the side street property line on a corner lot abutting a key lot shall not exceed four feet (4') in height.
  • No more than 4 feet high.
    Applies: R-1 required side yards: less than 20 feet from the front street property line next to any alley.
    § 23.13.04 · code text
    Fences, gates, pilasters, yard walls, and retaining walls less than twenty feet (20') from the front street property line abutting any alley shall not exceed four feet (4') in height.
  • Up to 12 feet total.
    Applies: R-1 side or rear yards of lots next to an alley, where the grade difference is over 2 feet, measured from the home side.
    § 23.13.04 · code text
    the maximum height of the fence and wall may be increased to a total height of twelve feet (12').

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

San Marino code What San Marino's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 16 feet high.
    Applies: Detached garages or accessory buildings without a second story of livable area.
    § 23.06.05 · code text
    No detached garage or accessory building shall exceed a height of sixteen feet (16'), except where supplied with a second story consisting of livable area.
  • No more than 30 feet high.
    Applies: Detached garages or accessory buildings with a second story of livable area.
    § 23.06.05 · code text
    In such case, the height shall not exceed thirty feet (30').
Size or lot coverage
  • 600 square feet. Larger needs a conditional use permit.
    Applies: Accessory buildings with livable area: total lot coverage or total livable area.
    § 23.06.05 · code text
    Accessory buildings containing livable area, which exceed six hundred (600) square feet in total lot coverage and/or total livable area require a conditional use permit.
  • 720 square feet. Larger needs a conditional use permit.
    Applies: Garages with storage, a workshop or similar non-livable area: total lot coverage.
    § 23.06.05 · code text
    Garages containing storage area, a workshop, or similar nonlivable area which exceeds seven hundred twenty (720) square feet in total lot coverage require a conditional use permit.
  • No more than 1/3 of the rear yard area.
    Applies: Garages and other accessory buildings.
    § 23.06.05 · code text
    Garages and other accessory buildings shall not occupy more than one-third (1/3) of the total area of the rear yard.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 2 feet from the side and rear property lines.
    Applies: Detached garages with no livable area, in the rear yard.
    § 23.06.05 · code text
    A detached garage that does not contain any livable area may be permitted to occupy the rear yard and shall have a setback of at least two feet (2') from the side and rear property lines.
  • At least 5 feet from the side and rear property lines.
    Applies: All other accessory buildings without livable area, unless a conditional use permit is obtained.
    § 23.06.05 · code text
    Unless having first obtained a conditional use permit, all other accessory buildings that do not contain livable area shall have a setback of at least five feet (5') from the side and rear property lines.
Distance from the house
  • At least 10 feet from any other building on the same lot.
    Applies: Detached garages or other accessory buildings.
    § 23.06.05 · code text
    No detached garage or other accessory building shall be located less than ten feet (10') from any other building on the same lot.

Lot splits under SB 9

San Marino code What San Marino's code adds
How the lot may be divided
  • Each new parcel must be at least 40% of the original lot area.
    Applies: Applies to urban lot splits in the R-1 zone.
    § 22.06.05 · code text
    one parcel shall not be smaller than 40 percent of the lot area of the original parcel proposed for subdivision.
Unit size
  • Units may be no more than 800 square feet.
    Applies: Applies to units on lots created by an urban lot split in the R-1 zone.
    § 22.06.05 · code text
    Unit size shall be not greater than 800 square feet.
Minimum new lot size
  • Each new parcel must be at least 1,200 square feet.
    Applies: Applies to both new parcels of an urban lot split in the R-1 zone.
    § 22.06.05 · code text
    Both newly created parcels shall be no smaller than 1,200 square feet.
Standards
  • Must meet all objective zoning, subdivision and design review standards, including the city's two-unit design and configuration standards.
    Applies: Applies to development on lots created by an urban lot split.
    § 22.06.06 · code text
    Development proposed on lots created by an urban lot split subdivision shall comply with any and all objective zoning standards, objective subdivision standards, requirements in this Article, and objective design review standards applicable to the parcel based on the underlying zoning, the Two-Unit Residential Development Design Standards and the Two-Unit Residential Development and Urban Lot Split Configuration Standards
  • Standards are reduced if they would block 2 units on either parcel or force units under 800 square feet.
    Applies: Applies only when the standards would have that effect.
    § 22.06.06 · code text
    provided, however, that the application of such standards shall be reduced if the standards would have the effect of physically precluding the construction of two units on either of the resulting parcels created pursuant to this chapter or would result in a unit size of less than 800 square feet.

Solar panels and EV chargers

San Marino code What San Marino's code adds
EV charger permit
  • Expedited nondiscretionary building permit; apply in person, by mail or online. Issued when health and safety requirements are met.
    Applies: Applies to EV charging stations at any site in the City.
    § 25.01.07 · code text
    Anyone seeking to install an electric vehicle charging station at any site within the City may apply to the building official for an expedited nondiscretionary building permit.
Solar permit process
  • Expedited building permit for applications meeting the city's standard plans and checklist; only 1 inspection required.
    Applies: Applies to complete applications for small home rooftop solar systems.
    § 25.15.01 · code text
    The building official shall issue a building permit the same day for over the counter applications
Review time
  • The permit is issued the same day.
    Applies: Applies to complete over-the-counter applications for small home rooftop solar systems.
    § 25.15.01 · code text
    The building official shall issue a building permit the same day for over the counter applications
  • The permit is issued within 1 to 3 business days.
    Applies: Applies to complete electronic applications for small home rooftop solar systems.
    § 25.15.01 · code text
    or within one to three (3) business days for electronic applications

Tree removal

San Marino code What San Marino's code adds
Exemptions
  • No permit application fee.
    Applies: Applies to an established, heritage or oak tree damaged by storm, fire or natural disaster and found dangerous by the Director.
    § 23.19.05 · code text
    An application to remove an established tree, heritage tree, or oak tree that has been damaged by a storm, fire or other natural disaster, and which is determined to be dangerous by the Director of Community Development or his/her designee.
  • No permit application fee.
    Applies: Applies to a dead established, heritage or oak tree, as found by a certified arborist and confirmed by the Director.
    § 23.19.05 · code text
    An application to remove an established tree, heritage tree, or oak tree found to be dead, as determined by a certified arborist and confirmed by the Community Development Director or his/her designee.
Permit to remove
  • Yes, a tree removal permit from the Community Development Director is required.
    Applies: Applies to removing an established, heritage or oak tree in the R-1 or C-1 zones.
    § 23.19.05 · code text
    All persons desiring to remove an established tree, heritage tree, or oak tree in the R-1 or C-1 zones shall first submit a tree removal permit application to the Community Development Director.
Replacement trees
  • One 36-inch box tree.
    Applies: Applies when the removed tree's trunk diameter at breast height is 4 to 8 inches.
    § 23.19.05 · code text
    4-8 inches | 1-36" box
  • Two 36-inch box trees.
    Applies: Applies when the removed tree's trunk diameter at breast height is 9 to 12 inches.
    § 23.19.05 · code text
    9-12 inches | 2-36" box
  • Four 24-inch box trees or two 36-inch box trees.
    Applies: Applies when the removed tree's trunk diameter at breast height is 13 to 18 inches.
    § 23.19.05 · code text
    13-18 inches | 4-24" box or 2-36" box
  • Eight 24-inch box trees or four 36-inch box trees.
    Applies: Applies when the removed tree's trunk diameter at breast height is 19 to 36 inches.
    § 23.19.05 · code text
    19-36 inches | 8-24" box or 4-36" box
  • Twelve 24-inch box trees or eight 36-inch box trees.
    Applies: Applies when the removed tree's trunk diameter at breast height is 37 inches or more.
    § 23.19.05 · code text
    37" or greater | 12-24" box or 8-36" box
  • Replace with equivalent heritage trees.
    Applies: Applies to heritage tree removal.
    § 23.19.05 · code text
    Heritage trees shall be replaced with equivalent heritage trees, as defined in this Article, that are appropriate or compatible with the landscaping of the property and the neighborhood (as defined in the Municipal Code).
  • Replace with equivalent oak trees.
    Applies: Applies to oak tree removal.
    § 23.19.05 · code text
    Oak trees shall be replaced with equivalent oak trees, as defined in this Article, that are appropriate or compatible with the landscaping of the property and the neighborhood (as defined in the Municipal Code).
  • Plant another tree, or pay the city the full cost of replacing it at another location.
    Applies: Applies when a required replacement or transplanted tree does not survive for 3 years.
    § 23.19.07 · code text
    Should a designated replacement or transplanted tree not survive for a period of three years, the applicant shall be required to replace it with another tree or pay to the city the full cost of replacing the tree at another location to be determined by the Director of Community Development or the Director's designee.

Swimming pools

San Marino code What San Marino's code adds
Barrier height
  • A fence at least 5 feet tall must enclose the pool.
    § 23.02.08 · code text
    shall at all times, maintain a minimum five foot (5') tall fence enclosing the pool
Maintenance and empty pools
  • The pool fence must be maintained at all times.
    § 23.02.08 · code text
    shall at all times, maintain a minimum five foot (5') tall fence enclosing the pool

Pets, chickens and bees

San Marino code What San Marino's code adds
Chickens
  • Yes, at most 3 hens; roosters are prohibited.
    Applies: Applies to parcels in the R-1 zone.
    § 06.03.01 · code text
    Persons shall be permitted to keep chickens on all parcels in the R-1 zone subject to the conditions set forth herein: A. A maximum of three (3) hens shall be allowed.
Coop setback
  • At least 5 feet from the street-side property line.
    Applies: Applies on corner lots. Coops go only in the rear yard and must be screened from public view by a solid wall or fence.
    § 06.03.01 · code text
    Coops shall be set back a minimum of five feet (5') from street side property lines on corner lots and shall be screened from public view by a solid wall or fence.
  • At least 35 feet.
    Applies: Measured from the main dwelling on an adjacent property.
    § 06.03.01 · code text
    Chicken coops must be a minimum of thirty five feet (35') from the main dwelling structure on an adjacent property.
Permit
  • A city permit is required for chickens over 4 months old.
    Applies: Applies within the city.
    § 06.03.01 · code text
    It shall be unlawful to own or harbor any chicken over the age of four (4) months within the city, unless the owner of the chicken obtains a permit from the city.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in San Marino?

Front-yard fences: at most 4 feet, or 5 ft 6 in in Area Districts I and II; R-1 side and rear yards, 6 feet.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in San Marino?

Detached garages and accessory buildings are limited to 16 feet, or 30 feet with a livable second story, and 1/3 of the rear yard.

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in San Marino?

San Marino's code: Each new parcel must be at least 40% of the original lot area. (Applies to urban lot splits in the R-1 zone.) (§ 22.06.05); Units may be no more than 800 square feet. (Applies to units on lots created by an urban lot split in the R-1 zone.) (§ 22.06.05).

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

San Marino's code: Expedited nondiscretionary building permit; apply in person, by mail or online. Issued when health and safety requirements are met. (Applies to EV charging stations at any site in the City.) (§ 25.01.07); Expedited building permit for applications meeting the city's standard plans and checklist; only 1 inspection required. (Applies to complete applications for small home rooftop solar systems.) (§ 25.15.01).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in San Marino?

San Marino's code: No permit application fee. (Applies to an established, heritage or oak tree damaged by storm, fire or natural disaster and found dangerous by the Director.) (§ 23.19.05); No permit application fee. (Applies to a dead established, heritage or oak tree, as found by a certified arborist and confirmed by the Director.) (§ 23.19.05).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in San Marino?

San Marino's code: A fence at least 5 feet tall must enclose the pool. (§ 23.02.08); The pool fence must be maintained at all times. (§ 23.02.08).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in San Marino?

San Marino's code: Yes, at most 3 hens; roosters are prohibited. (Applies to parcels in the R-1 zone.) (§ 06.03.01); At least 5 feet from the street-side property line. (Applies on corner lots. Coops go only in the rear yard and must be screened from public view by a solid wall or fence.) (§ 06.03.01).

General information, not legal advice.

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