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Santa Ana · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Santa Ana

Santa Ana sets its own limits on fences, accessory buildings and home businesses. A front-yard fence over 18 inches needs a permit, and a home business needs a permit from the zoning administrator.

Key points

  • Fence height: In residential zones, front-yard fences are limited to 3 feet, or 4 feet on arterial streets; other walls and fences, 8 feet.
  • Accessory setbacks: On interior lots, accessory buildings up to 15 feet high need a 3-foot setback; taller ones, 5-foot side and 10-foot rear yards.
  • Home businesses: A home business may use 1 room or 400 square feet, whichever is more restrictive, with at most 2 people in total (city rule).

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

Fences and walls

Santa Ana code What Santa Ana's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot
  • No higher than 8 feet, measured from the curb top or grade.
    Applies: Residential zones (RE, R1 to R4, residential uses in specific development districts except SD No. 19); walls and fences other than front yard fences.
    § 41-610 · code text
    All other walls and fences shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height, measured from the top of the curb or established grade upward.
Front yard height
  • No higher than 4 feet.
    Applies: Front yard fences on arterial streets in residential zones (RE, R1 to R4, residential specific development uses, except SD No. 19).
    § 41-610 · code text
    Front yard fences four (4) feet in height on those streets defined and designated in the circulation element of the city's general plan as arterial streets and three (3) feet in height on all other streets, measured from the top of the curb or established grade upward.
  • No higher than 3 feet.
    Applies: Front yard fences on non-arterial streets in residential zones (RE, R1 to R4, residential specific development uses, except SD No. 19).
    § 41-610 · code text
    Front yard fences four (4) feet in height on those streets defined and designated in the circulation element of the city's general plan as arterial streets and three (3) feet in height on all other streets, measured from the top of the curb or established grade upward.
Permit
  • Yes. A permit is required for a front yard fence over 18 inches.
    Applies: Residential zones (RE, R1 to R4, residential specific development uses, except SD No. 19).
    § 41-610 · code text
    no front yard fence over eighteen (18) inches in height shall be constructed without the issuance of a permit therefore by the planning and building agency.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Santa Ana code What Santa Ana's code adds
Side and rear setback
  • At least 3 feet from side and rear lines.
    Applies: A1, RE, R1, R2 and R3 districts; accessory buildings up to 15 feet high on interior lots.
    § 41-606 · code text
    On an interior lot an accessory building up to fifteen (15) feet in height shall have a side and rear yard of not less than three (3) feet
  • At least 5 feet side yard and 10 feet rear yard.
    Applies: A1, RE, R1, R2 and R3 districts; accessory buildings over 15 feet high on interior lots.
    § 41-606 · code text
    an accessory building over fifteen (15) feet in height shall have a side yard of not less than five (5) feet and a rear yard of not less than ten (10) feet
  • At least 12 feet from the alley center line.
    Applies: A1, RE, R1, R2 and R3 districts; garages on lots that back or side onto an alley.
    § 41-606 · code text
    except if the lot rears and/or sides upon an alley, said accessory building, if a garage, shall maintain a distance of not less than twelve (12) feet from the center line of the alley.
  • At least 10 feet from the street side lot line.
    Applies: A1, RE, R1, R2 and R3 districts; corner lots.
    § 41-606 · code text
    On a corner lot an accessory building may be built not less than ten (10) feet to the lot line on the street side of the lot
  • At least 5 feet from that line.
    Applies: A1, RE, R1, R2 and R3 districts; a rear lot line that is also the side lot line of a key lot.
    § 41-606 · code text
    an accessory building shall be not less than five (5) feet from said line.

Running a business from home

Santa Ana code What Santa Ana's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 1 room or 400 square feet of the home, whichever is more restrictive.
    § 41-192.2 · code text
    Home occupation activities shall not involve the use of more than one (1) room or four hundred (400) square feet of a dwelling, whichever is more restrictive,
Customer visits
  • No frequent meetings or gatherings that cause traffic, parking, noise or disturbance beyond normal home use.
    § 41-192.2 · code text
    There shall be no activity which involves frequent meetings or gatherings of any kind such as may generate traffic and parking congestion, noise, or disturbances beyond that which is normal to residential use.
Employees
  • No more than 2 people in total working in the business.
    § 41-192.2 · code text
    No more than two (2) persons shall be engaged in the conduct of the home occupation.
Permit
  • A home occupation permit from the zoning administrator is required.
    § 41-192.3 · code text
    No person shall conduct a home occupation without having first obtained a home occupation permit from the zoning administrator.
Businesses not allowed
  • sales activity, either wholesale or retail, except mail order sales
    § 41-192.2 · code text
    There shall be no sales activity, either wholesale or retail, except mail order sales.
  • photo studios, bail bond uses, or check cashing facilities
    Applies: uses involving frequent meetings or gatherings that may generate traffic, parking congestion, noise, or disturbances beyond normal residential use
    § 41-192.2 · code text
    Such uses include but are not limited to photo studios, bail bond uses, or check cashing facilities.

Lot splits under SB 9

Santa Ana code What Santa Ana's code adds
How the lot may be divided
  • Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot's area.
    Applies: Applies to urban lot splits; the lot being split must be at least 2,400 square feet.
    § 41-2109 · code text
    Each of the resulting lots must be between forty (40) percent and sixty (60) percent of the original lot area.
Unit size
  • New primary homes: over 500 and at most 800 square feet; a smaller existing home may expand to 800.
    Applies: Applies to two-unit projects and to lots created by an urban lot split.
    § 41-2115 · code text
    A primary dwelling that was legally established prior to the two-unit project and that is smaller than eight hundred (800) square feet may be expanded to eight hundred (800) square feet after or as part of the two-unit project.
Minimum new lot size
  • Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet.
    Applies: Applies to each lot created by an urban lot split.
    § 41-2109 · code text
    The resulting lots must each be at least one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet.
Standards
  • Each lot needs at least 12.5 feet of street frontage; an easement serving up to 2 units: 12 feet minimum.
    Applies: Applies to access for lots in an urban lot split.
    § 41-2109 · code text
    Each resulting lot must have frontage on the public street right-of-way of at least twelve and one-half (12.5) feet.
  • No more than 2 homes of any kind may be built on a lot created by an urban lot split.
    Applies: Applies to lots created by an urban lot split.
    § 41-2115 · code text
    No more than two (2) dwelling units of any kind may be built on a lot that results from an urban lot split.
  • A two-unit project is allowed, plus any ADU or JADU that state law and the city's ADU ordinance require.
    Applies: Applies only to lots not created by an urban lot split.
    § 41-2115 · code text
    A lot that is not created by an urban lot split may have a two-unit project under this section, plus any ADU or JADU that must be allowed under state law and the city's ADU ordinance.
  • Rooftop decks are not allowed on any new or remodeled home or structure.
    Applies: Applies to lots with a two-unit project.
    § 41-2115 · code text
    No rooftop deck is permitted on any new or remodeled dwelling or structure on a lot with a two-unit project.
  • At most 25% of an existing home's outer walls may be demolished, unless tenant-free for the last 3 years.
    Applies: Applies to two-unit projects that demolish part of an existing home.
    § 41-2115 · code text
    The two-unit project may not involve the demolition of more than twenty-five (25) percent of the existing exterior walls of an existing dwelling unless the site has not been occupied by a tenant in the last three (3) years.
  • Buildings may cover at most 35% of net lot area; 50% for new one-story buildings deed-restricted to stay one-story.
    Applies: Applies to two-unit projects, and only so far as it does not prevent 2 units of 800 square feet each.
    § 41-2115 · code text
    The maximum building coverage of net lot area shall be thirty-five (35) percent. If new structures are proposed to be one-story and be deed restricted to be maintained as one-story structures in perpetuity, a fifty (50) percent lot coverage is allowed.

RV and boat parking

Santa Ana code What Santa Ana's code adds
Size limit
  • Vehicles over 22 feet long or 7 feet high may not park on streets, park roads or lots, 2–6 a.m.
    Applies: Applies to oversized vehicles, including attached trailers. They also may not park within 50 feet of an intersection at any time.
    § 36-19 · code text
    Oversized Vehicle shall mean any vehicle, including any attached trailers, vehicles or loads thereon, that exceeds twenty-two (22) feet in length or seven (7) feet in height.
Parking on the street
  • Oversized, non-motorized and recreational vehicles may not park between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
    Applies: Applies on public streets, park roads and parking lots, except with a valid city permit, or where the City Manager allows it with posted signs.
    § 36-149 · code text
    It is unlawful for any person to park or leave standing upon any public street, park road, or parking lot, any oversized vehicle, non-motorized vehicle, or recreational vehicle between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Santa Ana code What Santa Ana's code adds
EV charger permit
  • Administrative, nondiscretionary review; the Building Department issues the permit at an expedited rate when the application meets the checklist.
    § 8-2904 · code text
    An application for electric vehicle charging stations that meets the requirements of the checklist and required permitting documentation of all requirements shall be deemed complete, and the Building Department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit at an expedited rate.
Solar permit process
  • Expedited administrative approval; all required permits are issued once the application is confirmed complete and meets the checklist.
    § 8-2511 · 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.

Swimming pools

Santa Ana code What Santa Ana's code adds
Pool barrier
  • The fence or wall may have no openings or projections that could be used to climb it.
    Applies: Applies to fences around a pool, pond or other body of water.
    § 8-20 · code text
    Such fence or wall shall be constructed and maintained with no openings nor projections, which could serve as a means to scale the fence or wall.
  • Openings, holes or gaps may not let a 4-inch sphere pass through.
    Applies: Applies to the enclosure, doors and gates around a pool, pond or other body of water.
    § 8-20 · code text
    Openings, holes, or gaps in the enclosure, doors, and/or gates shall not allow the passage of a four-inch diameter sphere
  • Horizontal rails reachable from outside must be at least 48 inches apart.
    Applies: Applies to fences around a pool, pond or other body of water.
    § 8-20 · code text
    horizontal members, accessible from the exterior, shall be no closer than forty-eight (48) inches.
  • The fence must isolate the pool, stand within 50 feet of it, and have gates in view of it.
    Applies: Applies to occupancies classified R1, R2, R3, R3.1 and R4.
    § 8-20 · code text
    The fence or walls shall serve to isolate the pool from other activities or structures and shall be located within fifty (50) feet of the pool.
Barrier height
  • The fence or wall must be at least 5 feet above the ground outside it.
    Applies: Applies to pools, ponds or other bodies of water 18 inches or more deep at any point.
    § 8-20 · code text
    every swimming pool, pond or other body of water eighteen (18) inches or more in depth at any point shall be surrounded by a fence or wall not less than five (5) feet above the adjacent exterior grade and/or five (5) feet above the finished elevation.
Gates
  • Gates self-close and self-latch; release 5 feet up or on the pool side; openings at most 48 inches wide.
    Applies: Applies to gates and doors in the fence around a pool, pond or other body of water.
    § 8-20 · code text
    Openings for gates or doors through such enclosure shall not exceed forty-eight (48) inches in width. Each gate or door shall be self-closing and self-latching, with the release five (5) feet above exterior grade or so located on the water side as to prevent release from the exterior.
Permit
  • Yes; a permit is issued for any pool, spa or hot tub once application and approval requirements are met.
    Applies: Applies to installing any swimming pool, spa or hot tub system.
    § 8-2609 · code text
    If the administrative authority determines that the plans, specifications, drawings, descriptions, or information furnished by the applicant are in compliance with this code, he shall issue the permit applied for upon payment of the required fee as hereinafter fixed.

Pets, chickens and bees

Santa Ana code What Santa Ana's code adds
Bees
  • Yes; at most 2 hives.
    Applies: Applies to single-family lots of 6,000 square feet or less.
    § 5-7 · code text
    No more than two (2) hives may be maintained on a single-family residential property with six thousand (6,000) square feet or less.
  • Yes; 1 hive per 3,000 square feet of lot, up to 5 hives, whichever is less.
    Applies: Applies to single-family lots larger than 6,000 square feet.
    § 5-7 · code text
    On lots larger than six thousand (6,000) square feet, the number of hives is limited to one (1) hive for every three thousand (3,000) square feet of lot area, with a maximum of five (5) hives, whichever is less.
  • Yes; hives go in the rear yard, at least 20 feet from public rights-of-way or private streets.
    Applies: Applies to properties with a single-family home.
    § 5-7 · code text
    Beekeeping is allowed in the general agricultural (A-1) zoning district subject to the conditions set forth in section 41-201.5(k) and on properties developed with a single-family residence subject to the conditions set forth herein.
  • Hives must be at least 5 feet from interior lot lines.
    Applies: Applies to single-family lots. The neighboring owner may waive this in writing.
    § 5-7 · code text
    Hives shall be located a minimum of five (5) feet from interior lots lines; provided, however, that this requirement may be waived in writing subject to the approval of the adjoining property owner(s).
Chickens
  • Up to 4 fowl without a permit; more than 4 needs a special permit; roosters are not allowed.
    Applies: Applies on any premises; rabbits count toward the 4.
    § 5-6 · code text
    No person shall keep or maintain more than four (4) in number of any fowl (excluding roosters which are not permitted within the city per section 5-6.5 hereof), rabbit, or any combination thereof, on any premises within the city unless a special permit has been issued, subject to the rules and regulations provided in this section and the approval of the city department of planning and development services.
Coop setback
  • At least 30 feet from any home, except the owner's.
    Applies: Applies to buildings, pens, runs or other places where more than 4 fowl or rabbits are kept.
    § 5-6 · code text
    All buildings, pens, runs, or other places where such fowl and/or rabbits are kept shall be located at least thirty (30) feet from any residence, the owner's excepted.
Permit
  • A special permit is needed for more than 4 fowl, rabbits or any combination.
    Applies: Applies to keeping more than 4 fowl, rabbits or any combination.
    § 5-6 · code text
    No person shall keep or maintain more than four (4) in number of any fowl (excluding roosters which are not permitted within the city per section 5-6.5 hereof), rabbit, or any combination thereof, on any premises within the city unless a special permit has been issued, subject to the rules and regulations provided in this section and the approval of the city department of planning and development services.
Pet limit
  • No more than 3 dogs on one premises, unless commercial kennel rules are met.
    § 5-50 · code text
    No person or persons shall keep, harbor or maintain upon any one premises within the city more than three (3) dogs unless the person or persons shall comply with the commercial kennel requirements of this chapter.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Santa Ana?

In residential zones, front-yard fences are limited to 3 feet, or 4 feet on arterial streets; other walls and fences, 8 feet.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Santa Ana?

On interior lots, accessory buildings up to 15 feet high need a 3-foot setback; taller ones, 5-foot side and 10-foot rear yards.

Can I run a business from my home in Santa Ana?

A home business may use 1 room or 400 square feet, whichever is more restrictive, with at most 2 people in total (city rule).

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Santa Ana?

Santa Ana's code: Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot's area. (Applies to urban lot splits; the lot being split must be at least 2,400 square feet.) (§ 41-2109); New primary homes: over 500 and at most 800 square feet; a smaller existing home may expand to 800. (Applies to two-unit projects and to lots created by an urban lot split.) (§ 41-2115).

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Santa Ana?

Santa Ana's code: Vehicles over 22 feet long or 7 feet high may not park on streets, park roads or lots, 2–6 a.m. (Applies to oversized vehicles, including attached trailers. They also may not park within 50 feet of an intersection at any time.) (§ 36-19); Oversized, non-motorized and recreational vehicles may not park between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. (Applies on public streets, park roads and parking lots, except with a valid city permit, or where the City Manager allows it with posted signs.) (§ 36-149).

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

Santa Ana's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary review; the Building Department issues the permit at an expedited rate when the application meets the checklist. (§ 8-2904); Expedited administrative approval; all required permits are issued once the application is confirmed complete and meets the checklist. (§ 8-2511).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Santa Ana?

Santa Ana's code: The fence or wall may have no openings or projections that could be used to climb it. (Applies to fences around a pool, pond or other body of water.) (§ 8-20); Openings, holes or gaps may not let a 4-inch sphere pass through. (Applies to the enclosure, doors and gates around a pool, pond or other body of water.) (§ 8-20).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Santa Ana?

Santa Ana's code: Yes; at most 2 hives. (Applies to single-family lots of 6,000 square feet or less.) (§ 5-7); Yes; 1 hive per 3,000 square feet of lot, up to 5 hives, whichever is less. (Applies to single-family lots larger than 6,000 square feet.) (§ 5-7).

General information, not legal advice.

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