Alameda · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Alameda
Alameda's city code sets fence heights by yard on residential properties, with higher limits for see-through fencing. Corner lots also have visibility zones where fences and plants must stay low.
Key points
- Front yards: Alameda limits front-yard fences to 3 feet, or 4 feet with see-through fencing, or 5 with see-through fencing and Planning Director approval.
- Side and rear yards: Alameda limits side- and rear-yard fences to 6 feet, or 8 feet with see-through fencing material.
Each rule below is marked Alameda code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Alameda code Alameda limits front-yard fences to 3 feet, or 4 feet with see-through fencing, or 5 with see-through fencing and Planning Director approval. Alameda limits side- and rear-yard fences to 6 feet, or 8 feet with see-through fencing material.
All 9 Alameda rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
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Pets, chickens and bees
Alameda code Yes. No more than 6 chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys or other domestic fowl. The fowl enclosure must be at least 20 feet from any occupied dwelling.
All 3 Alameda rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
Alameda code No fee for remodeling or adding to an occupied home, as long as no new unit is added. No fee for tearing down a building and building a substantially similar one on the same site.
All 6 Alameda rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
Alameda code 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays; the code gives no Sunday hours.
All 14 Alameda rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Alameda code Developments of 9 or fewer units may meet the requirements by paying an in-lieu fee. Set by City Council resolution; covers the gap between affordable rent or price capital and inclusionary unit building cost.
All 7 Alameda rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Signs on homes
Alameda code Remove signs no later than 2 days after the election. A street number and street name sign needs no permit if it is at most 2 square feet per unit.
Trash and recycling carts
Alameda code Organic materials must go in approved containers. Remove containers before 12:00 midnight on the day they are emptied.
All 4 Alameda rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Alameda rules on this
Alameda's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Urban lot split standards (SB 9) (§ 30-83.3)
- Overnight street parking of large vehicles (§ 8-7.10) — city streets only
- Floodplain management rules for building (Ch. XX)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a family child care home in Alameda?
California law sets this for every city, including Alameda: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
General information, not legal advice.
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