Westminster · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Westminster

Westminster sets its own limits on fences and accessory structures, and has its own sections on home-based businesses. Fence height depends on the yard, the lot type and the zone.

Ask about building on your lot in Westminster See coverage

Key points

Fence height: Westminster limits fences to 3 feet in any required front setback and 6 feet in R1 side and rear yards.
Accessory structures: Accessory structures over 120 square feet or 7 feet tall are limited to 15 feet to the peak, or 10 feet if flat-roofed.
Home businesses: Westminster has its own sections on home-based businesses and their zoning clearance permit.

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

Fences and walls

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet tall. Applies: Within 25 feet of where two streets, or a street and an alley, meet, or of the center of the corner cutoff. § 17.300.030 · code text Any point within 25 feet of the point of intersection or center of the corner cutoff of two streets or a street and an alley \| 3 feet No more than 3 feet tall. Applies: Within 10 feet of the corner of a corner lot that abuts an alley. § 17.300.030 · code text Any point within 10 feet of the point of intersection of a corner lot that abuts an alley \| 3 feet No more than 3 feet tall. Applies: Corner lot rear yard next to a neighbor's front yard, in a sight triangle with equal sides of no more than 10 feet. § 17.300.030 · code text in order to create a triangular area in which sight distance would not be impaired above 3 feet in height \| 3 feet
Front yard height	Fences, walls and hedges may be no more than 3 feet tall. Applies: In the required front setback of any lot. § 17.300.030 · code text Front Yard Within the required front setback of any lot or the required rear yard of any through lot \| 3 feet Fences, block walls and hedges may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: In the front yard setback of any flag lot. § 17.300.030 · code text Within the front yard setback of any flag lot, the maximum permitted height of a fence, block wall, or hedge shall be 6 feet. Fences, block walls and hedges may be no more than 3 feet tall. Applies: In the 20-foot front yard of the flag pole on any flag lot. § 17.300.030 · code text Within the 20-foot front yard of the 'flag pole' on any flag lot, the maximum permitted height of a fence, block wall, or hedge shall be 3 feet. A 6-foot fence may be allowed. Applies: In the 20-foot front setback for multiple-family units in R2 to R5 zones, if no other variances; above 3 feet, at most 10% view blocked. § 17.300.030 · code text A 6-foot high fence may be permitted within the front yard 20-foot setback for multiple-family units in the R2 to R5 zoning districts
Side and rear yard height	Fences may be no more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Side and rear yards in the R1 zoning district. § 17.300.030 · code text R1 zoning district, side and rear yard \| 6 feet Fences may be no more than 8 feet tall. Applies: Side and rear yards in zones other than R1, when the fence does not abut R1-zoned property. § 17.300.030 · code text All zoning districts other than R1, side and rear yard \| 8 feet \| When the fence does not abut property in an R1 zoning district Fences may be no more than 3 feet tall. Applies: In the required rear yard of any through lot. § 17.300.030 · code text Front Yard Within the required front setback of any lot or the required rear yard of any through lot \| 3 feet

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet to the roof peak. Applies: Accessory buildings over 120 square feet or over 7 feet tall; not flat-roof, shed-roof or unroofed structures. § 17.400.130 · code text The maximum height of the building or structure shall not exceed 15 feet to the roof peak, except where structures contain a flat roof or shed roof, then the plate line shall not exceed 10 feet in height. No more than 10 feet to the plate line. Applies: Accessory structures over 120 square feet or over 7 feet tall, with a flat or shed roof. § 17.400.130 · code text The maximum height of the building or structure shall not exceed 15 feet to the roof peak, except where structures contain a flat roof or shed roof, then the plate line shall not exceed 10 feet in height. No more than 10 feet to the highest point. Applies: Structures without a roof, including play equipment. § 17.400.130 · code text For non-roofed structures, the maximum height shall be 10 feet to the highest portion of the structure, including, but not limited to, play equipment.
Size or lot coverage	Non-garage detached accessory structures may total no more than 200 square feet. Applies: Only if at least 1,000 square feet of connected open space remains in the rear yard. § 17.400.130 · code text The maximum cumulative area of a non-garage detached accessory structure(s) shall not exceed 200 square feet provided at least 1,000 square feet of contiguous open space remains in the rear yard.
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet from the interior side and rear property lines. Applies: Detached accessory structures over 120 square feet or over 7 feet tall, in the rear 1/3 of the lot. § 17.400.130 · code text A 3-foot setback shall be maintained from the interior side and rear property lines when a detached structure is located within the rear 1/3 of the lot. They must meet the side and rear setbacks for main buildings. Applies: Detached accessory structures in the front 2/3 of the lot. § 17.400.130 · code text Detached, accessory structures in the front 2/3 of the lot shall maintain side and rear setbacks established for main buildings. At least 15 feet from side and rear property lines. Applies: Decks, platforms, play areas, elevated playhouse or treehouse tops, pool slides and diving boards; not when neighbors are not zoned residential. § 17.400.130 · code text Any portion of an accessory structure designed as a deck, platform, or walking or play area, including the top portion of an elevated playhouse/treehouse or platform, swimming pool slide, diving board, must maintain a 15-foot side and rear setback.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from any home. Applies: Detached accessory structures. § 17.400.130 · code text The detached accessory structure shall maintain a minimum 6-foot separation from dwelling units.

Lot splits under SB 9

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
How the lot may be divided	Neither new lot can be smaller than 40% of the original lot's area. Applies: An urban lot split into no more than 2 lots of about equal area. § 16.12.020 · code text The parcel map divides an existing parcel to create no more than two new parcels of approximately equal lot area, provided that one parcel shall not be smaller than 40% of the lot area of the original parcel.
Minimum new lot size	Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. Applies: Both new lots. § 16.12.020 · code text Both newly created parcels shall not be smaller than 1,200 square feet in area.
Setbacks	Side and rear setbacks are 4 feet. Applies: Except an existing structure, or one rebuilt in the same place and to the same size. § 16.12.040 · code text Except for those circumstances described in Subsection C above, the setback for side and rear lot lines shall be four feet. No setback is required. Applies: An existing structure, or one built in the same place and to the same size as an existing structure. § 16.12.040 · code text No setback shall be required for an existing structure or a structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure.
Standards	Only lots in the single-family R1 zone qualify. § 16.12.020 · code text The parcel is located within a single-family residential R1 zone. No more than 2 new lots. Applies: Urban lot splits. § 16.12.020 · code text The parcel map divides an existing parcel to create no more than two new parcels of approximately equal lot area, provided that one parcel shall not be smaller than 40% of the lot area of the original parcel. No more than 2 units on a lot. Applies: Each lot created by the split. § 16.12.020 · code text The lot split does not create more than two units on a parcel. Shared driveways must be at least 20 feet wide. § 16.12.040 · code text Shared driveways shall have a minimum width of 20 feet. Each new lot needs direct access to the public right-of-way. Applies: By direct lot frontage or an access easement. § 16.12.040 · code text Each resulting lot shall have direct access to the public right-of-way. This may be by way of direct lot frontage or through an access easement.
Parking	1 parking space per unit. § 16.12.040 · code text Parking shall be required at the rate of one space per unit.

RV and boat parking

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
Parking on the street	24 hours. Applies: Residents' RVs with a temporary police permit to load, unload or clean, within 500 feet of home; 12 permits per address per calendar year max. § 10.44.245 · code text A temporary RV parking permit issued to a resident shall be valid for twenty-four hours.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
Solar permit process	Apply by email, the city's website or fax; electronic signatures are accepted. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.06.050 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents via email, the city's website, or facsimile shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
Review time	The permit is issued within 3 business days. Applies: The application meets the approved checklist and standard plan. § 15.06.060 · code text For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the building department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit within three business days.

Swimming pools

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
Maintenance and empty pools	Do not let scum, spit or debris build up; keep skimmers and water levels working continuously to remove it. Applies: All private pools. § 8.40.020 · code text Floating scum, sputum and debris shall not be allowed to accumulate in the pool. Skimmers, where provided, and water levels shall be maintained and operated to continuously remove such material. Keep the pool sides and bottom, decks and other surfaces free of slime and algae. Applies: All private pools. § 8.40.020 · code text The sides and bottom of pools, decks, and other surfaces shall be kept free of slime and algae to prevent unnecessary slipperiness and danger of accidents or drownings. The owner must provide a pool cover acceptable to the community development director. Applies: A home with a pool unoccupied for more than 30 days, with regular maintenance by the owner or their nominee. § 8.40.040 · code text When a residence with a pool remains unoccupied for more than thirty days and regular maintenance is provided by the owner or his nominee, a cover acceptable to the director of community development shall be provided for the pool by the owner. The owner must fix the hazard within 48 hours after written notice. Applies: A private pool that becomes foul or stagnant from lack of maintenance. § 8.40.030 · code text When a private swimming pool becomes foul or stagnant through lack of maintenance, as described in the above sections, the health officer and/or building official shall notify the owner in writing to abate the hazard within forty-eight hours.

Pets, chickens and bees

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
Pet limit	No more than 6 animals over 4 months old. Applies: Any premises, except a licensed business that keeps animals. § 6.12.050 · code text it is unlawful for any person to keep, possess or harbor more than six animals over the age of four months on any premises

Other Westminster rules on this

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

Home-based businesses (§ 17.400.075)
Home-based business zoning clearance permit (Ch. 17.530)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Westminster?

Westminster limits fences to 3 feet in any required front setback and 6 feet in R1 side and rear yards.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Westminster?

Accessory structures over 120 square feet or 7 feet tall are limited to 15 feet to the peak, or 10 feet if flat-roofed.

Can I run a business from my home in Westminster?

Westminster has its own sections on home-based businesses and their zoning clearance permit. Westminster also has a related rule: Home-based businesses (§ 17.400.075); Home-based business zoning clearance permit (Ch. 17.530).

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Westminster?

Westminster's code: Neither new lot can be smaller than 40% of the original lot's area. (An urban lot split into no more than 2 lots of about equal area.) (§ 16.12.020); Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. (Both new lots.) (§ 16.12.020).

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

Westminster's code: 24 hours. (Residents' RVs with a temporary police permit to load, unload or clean, within 500 feet of home; 12 permits per address per calendar year max.) (§ 10.44.245).

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

Westminster's code: Apply by email, the city's website or fax; electronic signatures are accepted. (Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.06.050); The permit is issued within 3 business days. (The application meets the approved checklist and standard plan.) (§ 15.06.060).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Westminster?

Westminster's code: Do not let scum, spit or debris build up; keep skimmers and water levels working continuously to remove it. (All private pools.) (§ 8.40.020); Keep the pool sides and bottom, decks and other surfaces free of slime and algae. (All private pools.) (§ 8.40.020).

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

Westminster's code: No more than 6 animals over 4 months old. (Any premises, except a licensed business that keeps animals.) (§ 6.12.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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