Shafter · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Shafter

Shafter sets its own rules for pool enclosures and for the number of pets per residence, and issues rooftop solar and EV charger permits against a city checklist.

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Key points

Pool fences: Pools 2 feet or more deep need a non-climbable fence or wall at least 4.5 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates or locks.
Pets: In R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, each residence may keep at most 3 adult dogs, 3 adult cats and 20 other household pets.
Solar and EV: Shafter issues rooftop solar and EV charger permits when a complete application meets the city checklist; electronic submittal is accepted for EV chargers.

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

Solar panels and EV chargers

Shafter code What Shafter's code adds
EV charger permit	The building official approves and issues all permits when the application meets the city checklist; electronic submittal and signatures accepted. Applies: EV charging stations; the application must also meet all applicable laws and health and safety standards. § 15.57.040 · code text Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the building official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentation.
Solar permit process	Staff issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit when a complete application meets the checklist, standard plan and chapter. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 15.56.050 · code text Staff shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit within a reasonable time following receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist, standard plan, and this chapter.

Swimming pools

Shafter code What Shafter's code adds
Pool barrier	No ladder-type, step-type or other climbable design. Applies: The fence, wall or other enclosing structure. § 8.32.010 · code text shall not be of a ladder-type or step-type construction or other design facilitating the climbing thereof by a small child; No openings large enough to let a child in, except doors or gates. Applies: The fence, wall or other enclosing structure. § 8.32.010 · code text and shall have no openings or other means of entrance large enough to admit a child, except by means of doors or gates as hereinafter provided. No ladder-type, step-type or other climbable design. Applies: Gates or doors. § 8.32.020 · code text No such gate or door shall be of ladder-type or step-type construction or other design facilitating the climbing thereof by children. A fence, wall or other structure must fully enclose the water and be kept up to keep small children out. Applies: Water at least 2 feet deep at any point with a surface under 10,000 square feet. § 8.32.010 · code text shall maintain on the premises a fence, wall, or other enclosing structure, which together with its gates and/or doors shall completely enclose such body of water and which shall be designed and constructed so as reasonably to prevent entrance into such closed area and access to such body of water from the outside by small children.
Barrier height	At least 4.5 feet high. Applies: The fence or wall around a pool or other water 2 feet or more deep. § 8.32.010 · code text Such fence, wall or other enclosing structure shall be not less than four and one-half feet in height;
Equipment and alarms	A timer or control must let pool pumps run only in off-peak electric hours, and only as long as needed. § 15.34.070 · code text A time switch or other control mechanism shall be installed as part of a pool water circulation control system that will allow all pumps to be set or programmed to run only during off-peak electric demand period, and for the minimum time necessary to maintain the water in the conditions required by applicable public health standards.
Gates	Self-closing, self-latching devices, at least 4 feet above ground or out of small children's reach. Applies: Locks may replace the devices but must keep the gate or door closed and locked when the water is not in use. § 8.32.020 · code text Each such gate or door shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices, designed for and capable of keeping such gate or door securely closed when not in actual use. At least 4.5 feet high. Applies: Gates or doors in the pool enclosure. § 8.32.020 · code text Each opening in any fence, wall, or other structure enclosing any such body of water shall have and be equipped with a door or gate, which shall be of such width as is required to fill completely such opening and which shall be not less than four and one-half feet in height.

Pets, chickens and bees

Shafter code What Shafter's code adds
Bees	Yes, subject to a consistency assessment of safety risk. Applies: Agricultural zone district. § 6.80.040 · code text Beekeeping;
Permit	A consistency assessment. Applies: Agricultural zone district; beekeeping, beef cattle or livestock grazing. § 6.80.040 · code text The following require this assessment: A. Beekeeping; B. Beef cattle or livestock grazing.
Pet limit	No more than 3 dogs per lot. Applies: Residential lots in the A or E zone districts. § 6.80.020 · code text The keeping of dogs shall not exceed a total of three per lot. No more than 3 adult cats per lot. Applies: Residential lots in the A or E zone districts. § 6.80.020 · code text The keeping of adult cats shall not exceed three per lot. Up to 20 adult household pets other than dogs and cats. Applies: Residential lots in the A or E zone districts; subject to animal control health and safety inspection. § 6.80.020 · code text The keeping of up to twenty domestic, adult household pets, other than dogs and cats, including domestic birds, tropical fish, rabbits, hamsters, rats, mice, etc., shall be permitted; however, will be subject to inspection for health and safety considerations by the animal control manager upon citizen complaint or other communications which indicate possible health, abuse and neglect issues. 3 adult dogs per residence. Applies: R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones. § 6.84.010 · code text Three adult dogs per residence; three adult cats per residence. 3 adult cats per residence. Applies: R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones. § 6.84.010 · code text Three adult dogs per residence; three adult cats per residence. Up to 20 adult household pets other than dogs and cats. Applies: R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones; subject to animal control health and safety inspection. § 6.84.010 · code text The keeping of up to twenty domestic, adult household pets, other than dogs and cats, including domestic birds, tropical fish, rabbits, hamsters, rats, mice, etc., shall be permitted, however, will be subject to inspection for health and safety considerations by the animal control manager upon citizen complaint or other communications which indicate possible health, abuse and neglect issues.

Other Shafter rules on this

Shafter's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Parking unhitched trailers on streets (§ 10.40.290) — trailers not hitched to a vehicle

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Shafter issues rooftop solar and EV charger permits when a complete application meets the city checklist; electronic submittal is accepted for EV chargers.

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Shafter?

Pools 2 feet or more deep need a non-climbable fence or wall at least 4.5 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates or locks.

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Shafter?

In R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, each residence may keep at most 3 adult dogs, 3 adult cats and 20 other household pets.

General information, not legal advice.

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More on Shafter

Shafter Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Shafter

Buying & selling in Shafter

Shafter overview