Anaheim · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Anaheim
Anaheim sets fence heights by setback, with lower limits in the front and street setbacks of residential zones. Home businesses need city registration and are limited in daily traffic and in who may work there.
Key points
- Fence height: Anaheim fence limits: 3 feet in residential front and street setbacks (6 feet in RH-1 and RH-2); 8 feet in side and rear setbacks.
- Home business: Anaheim home businesses may draw at most 6 vehicles or 8 people a day, and only resident family members may work there.
Each rule below is marked Anaheim code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Anaheim code Anaheim fence limits: 3 feet in residential front and street setbacks (6 feet in RH-1 and RH-2); 8 feet in side and rear setbacks.
All 4 Anaheim rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Anaheim code Anaheim home businesses may draw at most 6 vehicles or 8 people a day, and only resident family members may work there.
All 4 Anaheim rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Anaheim code At the rear of the lot, on the half farthest from the nearest public street. Not allowed. On private property, a camp car or trailer may park only at the lot's rear or under cover.
All 4 Anaheim rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Anaheim code No permit under this chapter, unless changes materially alter the station's size, type or components. The Building Official issues the permit if all requirements are met with no specific, adverse public health or safety impact.
All 3 Anaheim rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Anaheim code Exempt: trees that have died. Exempt: diseased trees that are a present danger to healthy trees nearby.
Swimming pools
| Pool barrier |
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Building in a flood zone
Anaheim code A development permit is needed before any construction, subdivision, substantial improvement, other development or mobile home placement begins. No fill, construction, substantial improvement or development unless a registered engineer or architect certifies no flood level rise.
All 4 Anaheim rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
| When a grading permit is needed |
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Building on a hillside
| Height on hillside lots |
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Garage and yard sales
Anaheim code 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., during daylight hours only. At most 1 sign, in the front yard of the sale property, no larger than 3 square feet.
All 3 Anaheim rules on garage and yard sales, 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)
Anaheim code At least 55 years; the covenant can end after 55 years only if the property is redeveloped for non-residential use. Any residential ownership project of any size is exempt.
All 12 Anaheim rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Group homes and residential care
Anaheim code Off-street parking under the residential parking requirements section. Off-street parking under the non-residential parking requirements section.
All 8 Anaheim rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Anaheim code No vehicle parking between the primary building fronts and the public right-of-way. Required parking spaces must stay available for parking operable vehicles.
All 10 Anaheim rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Anaheim code The fee is set by City Council resolution. One free false alarm. A fine applies to each false alarm after the first.
All 4 Anaheim rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
| Election and other noncommercial signs |
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Trash and recycling carts
Anaheim code Place yard waste in organic materials containers, cut into lengths of no more than 36 inches. Organics and recyclables that fit the city organics or recycling container must not go in the trash container.
All 5 Anaheim rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Anaheim rules on this
Anaheim's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Keeping animals in residential zones (§ 18.38.030)
- Beekeeping ban (§ 6.28.010)
- Two-unit developments and urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 18.38.255)
- Urban lot split application process (§ 18.62.110)
- Park and recreation fee for new homes (Ch. 17.34)
- Fire facilities impact fee (§ 17.36.020)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Anaheim?
Anaheim's code: The enclosure must meet the amended California Residential Code Appendix CI. (Applies to new or remodeled pools or spas at a private single-family home.) (§ 3109.2).
What are the grading rules in Anaheim?
Anaheim's code: Any grading with machines needs a permit; digging or fill over 100 cubic yards also needs an approved grading plan. (§ 17.06.040).
What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Anaheim?
Anaheim's code: Buildings may be at most 26 feet tall. (Clustered single-family homes in Development Areas 201 and 205 (Hillside Medium); measured from the highest point to the ground floor below.) (§ 18.104.075).
Can I run a family child care home in Anaheim?
California law sets this for every city, including Anaheim: 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)).
What signs may I put up at my home in Anaheim?
Anaheim's code: A temporary sign with a noncommercial message is allowed if it is under 20 square feet. (Residential zones.) (§ 18.44.070).
General information, not legal advice.
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