Yorba Linda · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Yorba Linda

Yorba Linda sets fence heights by location, with the lowest limit in the front yard directly in front of the house. The city sets accessory structure setbacks by height and size, and limits home businesses to one non-resident employee.

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Key points

Fence height: Yorba Linda limits fences directly in front of the house to 36 inches; side and rear lines off the street, 6 feet.
Accessory structures: In Yorba Linda, one-story accessory structures over 15 feet or 1,000 square feet must meet the setbacks for main buildings.
Home business: Yorba Linda allows a home business 1 employee who does not live on the site.

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

Fences and walls

Yorba Linda code What Yorba Linda's code adds
Corner visibility	A corner cut-off sight triangle of at least 20 feet. Applies: At street intersections, unless the City Engineer requires more distance. § 18.26.090 · code text The triangle formed shall have a minimum dimension of 20 feet as depicted in Figure 18.26-5 unless determined by the City Engineer that additional distance is necessary to maintain adequate sight distance. A sight triangle of at least 10 feet. Applies: Where each driveway meets a public street, sidewalk or other right-of-way. § 18.26.090 · code text A corner cut-off area shall be provided at the intersection of each driveway and a public street, sidewalk, or other right-of-way in the form of a triangle with a minimum dimension of 10 feet as depicted in Figure 18.26-6
Height anywhere on the lot	Fences and walls may be no more than 6 feet tall on the side facing a neighbor. Applies: All locations except the required front yard; measured from the top to finished grade. § 18.26.090 · code text the maximum height of all fences and walls for all locations except the required front yard is six feet from top to finished grade for the face of the wall facing an adjacent property Fences and walls may be no more than 9 feet tall on the side facing the owner's property. Applies: All locations except the required front yard; measured from the top to finished grade. § 18.26.090 · code text the maximum height of all fences and walls for all locations except the required front yard is six feet from top to finished grade for the face of the wall facing an adjacent property, and nine feet from top to finished grade for the face of the wall facing the subject property Individual retaining walls may be no more than 9 feet tall. § 18.26.090 · code text The maximum height of individual retaining walls shall not exceed nine feet
Front yard height	Walls or fences may be no more than 36 inches tall. Applies: The required front yard directly in front of the home, for a width equal to the zone's minimum lot width. § 18.10.130 · code text A wall or fence shall not exceed 36 inches in height for any portion of the required front yard located directly in front of the dwelling and for a width equal to the minimum lot width for the zone Decorative elements such as pilasters may be up to 42 inches tall. Applies: In that front yard area, with Community Development Director approval after City Traffic Engineer review. § 18.10.130 · code text the Community Development Director may approve minor increases in height up to 42 inches for decorative elements, such as pilasters, after review by the City Traffic Engineer. A wrought iron fence may be up to 5 feet tall. Applies: Other parts of the required front yard. § 18.10.130 · code text All other portions of the required front yard may have a wrought iron fence not exceeding five feet in height A masonry and wrought iron fence may be up to 5 feet tall. Applies: Other parts of the required front yard. The masonry part may be no more than 3 feet tall. § 18.10.130 · code text or a combination five-foot-high masonry and wrought iron, where the masonry portion does not exceed three feet in height.
Side and rear yard height	Walls or fences may be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Along side or rear property lines not next to a public street, and not extending into the required front yard. § 18.10.130 · code text A wall or fence not more than six feet in height may be maintained along a side or rear property line provided it is not adjacent to a public street, and further provided that such wall or fence does not extend into the required front yard
Permit	A conditional use permit is required. Applies: Estate fences taller than the height limits. § 18.26.090 · code text estate fences may exceed the height limits of this section subject to approval of a conditional use permit. A conditional use permit from the Planning Commission is required. Applies: Fences or walls in the required front yard that exceed the front yard limits. § 18.10.130 · code text In order to fence or wall in the required front yard to exceed these requirements, a conditional use permit shall be approved by the Planning Commission after review by the City Traffic Engineer

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Yorba Linda code What Yorba Linda's code adds
Maximum height	Small accessory structures may be no more than 8 feet tall. Applies: Single-story structures such as sheds, up to 120 square feet. Taller ones must meet the large-structure setbacks. § 18.10.120 · code text Small accessory structures (e.g., gardening and tool sheds) which are single-story and not greater than eight feet in height, or greater than 120 square feet in area, shall maintain required setback for the main building within the front yard area Large accessory structures may be no more than 15 feet tall. Applies: Single-story structures such as garages, barns or game rooms, up to 1,000 square feet. Taller or two-story ones must meet main-building setbacks. § 18.10.120 · code text Large accessory structures (e.g., non-habitable garages, barns, cabañas, game rooms, etc.), which are single-story and not greater than 15 feet in height, or greater than 1,000 square feet in area, shall maintain the required setback for the main building within the front yard area No more than 12 feet tall. Applies: Canopies, patio covers and similar roofed structures extending into a required rear or interior side yard. § 18.10.120 · code text Shall not exceed 12 feet in height or project closer than three feet from an interior side or rear property line. Up to 15 feet tall, with Community Development Director approval. Applies: Taller canopies, patio covers and similar roofed structures. § 18.10.120 · code text Taller structures up to 15 feet in height may be permitted based on, but not limited to, building design, roof slope and design, location, topography or other criteria and subject to approval by the Community Development Director.
Size or lot coverage	Small accessory structures may be no more than 120 square feet. Applies: Single-story structures such as sheds, up to 8 feet tall. Larger ones must meet the large-structure setbacks. § 18.10.120 · code text Small accessory structures (e.g., gardening and tool sheds) which are single-story and not greater than eight feet in height, or greater than 120 square feet in area, shall maintain required setback for the main building within the front yard area Large accessory structures may be no more than 1,000 square feet. Applies: Single-story structures up to 15 feet tall. Bigger ones must meet main-building setbacks. § 18.10.120 · code text Large accessory structures (e.g., non-habitable garages, barns, cabañas, game rooms, etc.), which are single-story and not greater than 15 feet in height, or greater than 1,000 square feet in area, shall maintain the required setback for the main building within the front yard area
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from a side or rear yard next to a street, or from a City landscape easement. Applies: Small accessory structures. § 18.10.120 · code text shall maintain a minimum five-foot setback on a side or rear yard adjacent to a street, or from a City landscape easement. At least 3 feet from interior side or rear lot lines. Applies: Small accessory structures in an interior side or rear yard. § 18.10.120 · code text Within an interior side or rear yard area, a minimum three-foot setback shall be provided, unless one-hour fire construction is provided in which case no setback shall be required. No setback is required. Applies: Small accessory structures in an interior side or rear yard built with one-hour fire construction. § 18.10.120 · code text Within an interior side or rear yard area, a minimum three-foot setback shall be provided, unless one-hour fire construction is provided in which case no setback shall be required. At least 10 feet from a side or rear yard next to a street. Applies: Large accessory structures. § 18.10.120 · code text shall maintain a minimum 10-foot setback on a side or rear yard adjacent to a street. At least 5 feet from interior side or rear lot lines. Applies: Large accessory structures. § 18.10.120 · code text Within interior side or rear yard areas, a minimum five-foot setback shall be provided. The whole structure must be at least 3 feet from the property line. Applies: Outdoor fireplaces. The stack must be 5 feet from the property line. § 18.10.120 · code text The entire structure shall maintain a minimum three-foot setback from the property line and must comply with the Section R302.1 of the California Residential Code (see Figure 18.10-4). The whole structure must be at least 3 feet from the property line. Applies: Water slides and waterfalls. The slide or waterfall edge must be 5 feet from the property line. § 18.10.120 · code text The entire structure shall maintain a minimum three-foot setback from the property line and must comply with Section R302.1 of the California Residential Code and Section 3109 of the California Building Code (see Figure 18.10-5). A 25-foot rear yard setback. Applies: RA and RLD zones: two-story accessory structures, or one-story ones over 15 feet tall or 1,000 square feet. § 18.10.120 · code text such structures in RA and RLD zones may maintain a 25-foot rear yard setback. At least 3 feet from interior side or rear property lines. Applies: Canopies, patio covers and similar roofed structures in a required rear or interior side yard. § 18.10.120 · code text Shall not exceed 12 feet in height or project closer than three feet from an interior side or rear property line.

Running a business from home

Yorba Linda code What Yorba Linda's code adds
Employees	No more than 1 employee who does not live on the site may work on the premises. § 18.20.100 · code text There shall be no more than one employee, who is not a resident of the site where the home occupation is established, working on the premises.

Lot splits under SB 9

Yorba Linda code What Yorba Linda's code adds
How the lot may be divided	Neither new lot can be smaller than 40% of the original lot's area. Applies: SB 9 urban lot splits. § 18.20.1030 · code text one parcel shall not be smaller than 40 percent of the lot area of the original parcel proposed for subdivision.
Unit size	Each unit is 800 square feet of floor area. Applies: Up to 2 units on a single-family lot; any existing home, ADU or JADU counts toward the 2. § 18.20.1020 · code text all residential lots zoned for single-family use shall be permitted to construct up to two dwelling units which are at least, but no more than, 800 square feet in floor area.
Minimum new lot size	Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. § 18.20.1030 · code text Both newly created parcels shall be no smaller than 1,200 square feet.
Setbacks	At least 4 feet. Applies: Side and rear yards. § 18.20.1020 · code text However, SB 9 housing developments shall maintain a minimum four foot setback on the side and rear yards. At least 10 feet. Applies: The street-side yard, where a side or rear yard abuts a street. § 18.20.1020 · code text Whenever a side yard or rear yard abuts a street, a minimum setback of 10 feet shall be required on the street side yard
Standards	At most 16 feet tall and 1 story. Applies: SB 9 housing developments. § 18.20.1020 · code text All SB 9 housing developments shall be subject to a height limitation of 16 feet and shall be limited to one story. The same front setback as the zone. Applies: SB 9 housing developments. § 18.20.1020 · code text All SB 9 housing developments shall maintain the front yard setback for the applicable zoning district in which the lot is located. No more than 1 exterior entrance per unit. Applies: On the front or any street side of the SB 9 development. § 18.20.1020 · code text There shall not be more than one exterior entrance per unit on the front or on any street side of the SB 9 housing development. These lots cannot be divided again. Applies: Lots created by an SB 9 urban lot split. § 18.20.1030 · code text Lots created from an SB 9 urban lot split may not be further subdivided.
Owner occupancy	Owner signs an affidavit to live in 1 unit as their main home for at least 3 years. Applies: SB 9 urban lot splits; counted from approval; a deed restriction is recorded. § 18.20.1020 · code text The owner of the property shall sign an affidavit stating that the applicant intends to occupy one of the housing units as their principal residence for a minimum of three years from the date of the approval of the lot split.
Parking	1 covered parking space. Applies: Each SB 9 development; none within ½ mile walk of a high-quality transit corridor or major transit stop, or 1 block of car-share. § 18.20.1020 · code text A minimum of one covered parking space shall be required for each SB 9 housing development.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Yorba Linda code What Yorba Linda's code adds
EV charger permit	The Building Official administratively approves a complete application that meets this chapter and all health and safety rules. Applies: EV charging stations; apply in person or electronically. § 15.60.050 · code text Every EVCS application shall be submitted to the City either in person or by electronic submittal and shall contain the information set forth in the application checklist.
Solar permit process	Expedited administrative, nondiscretionary review; complete applications meeting the Checklist get all permits; only 1 inspection. Applies: Rooftop solar; apply in person or electronically. § 18.10.140 · code text The applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the City's Community Development Department in person or by electronic submittal, together with any required permit processing and inspection fees.

Tree removal

Yorba Linda code What Yorba Linda's code adds
Permit to remove	Yes, a permit is required. Applies: Street trees in the public right-of-way. § 16.08.030 · code text No person shall cut down, destroy or remove any tree growing within the City limits in the public right-of-way without a permit issued by the Community Development Director. Yes, a permit is required. Applies: Trees on an individual vacant lot in the city. § 16.08.030 · code text No person shall cut down, destroy or remove any tree growing within the City limits on an individual vacant lot without a permit issued by the Community Development Director in conjunction with any required building, excavation or grading permits.
Replacement trees	Replacement trees may be required. Applies: As a condition of a permit. § 16.08.050 · code text In granting a permit, the Community Development Director may attach reasonable conditions to ensure compliance with the intent and purpose of this chapter, including the replacement of trees subject to specifications as to number, size, type and location.

Swimming pools

Yorba Linda code What Yorba Linda's code adds
Equipment and alarms	Mechanical equipment must be at least 15 feet from any habitable opening of a neighboring building. Applies: Pool, spa or hot tub mechanical equipment. § 15.32.020 · code text The equipment shall be located at least fifteen (15) feet from any habitable opening of a structure on an adjacent property.

Other Yorba Linda rules on this

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

Keeping animals at home (Ch. 18.20, Art. 7)
Street parking of wide vehicles and trailers (§ 10.28.190) — on public streets

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Yorba Linda?

Yorba Linda limits fences directly in front of the house to 36 inches; side and rear lines off the street, 6 feet.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Yorba Linda?

In Yorba Linda, one-story accessory structures over 15 feet or 1,000 square feet must meet the setbacks for main buildings.

Can I run a business from my home in Yorba Linda?

Yorba Linda allows a home business 1 employee who does not live on the site.

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Yorba Linda?

Yorba Linda's code: Neither new lot can be smaller than 40% of the original lot's area. (SB 9 urban lot splits.) (§ 18.20.1030); Each unit is 800 square feet of floor area. (Up to 2 units on a single-family lot; any existing home, ADU or JADU counts toward the 2.) (§ 18.20.1020).

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

Yorba Linda's code: The Building Official administratively approves a complete application that meets this chapter and all health and safety rules. (EV charging stations; apply in person or electronically.) (§ 15.60.050); Expedited administrative, nondiscretionary review; complete applications meeting the Checklist get all permits; only 1 inspection. (Rooftop solar; apply in person or electronically.) (§ 18.10.140).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Yorba Linda?

Yorba Linda's code: Yes, a permit is required. (Street trees in the public right-of-way.) (§ 16.08.030); Yes, a permit is required. (Trees on an individual vacant lot in the city.) (§ 16.08.030).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Yorba Linda?

Yorba Linda's code: Mechanical equipment must be at least 15 feet from any habitable opening of a neighboring building. (Pool, spa or hot tub mechanical equipment.) (§ 15.32.020).

General information, not legal advice.

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