Antioch · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Antioch
Antioch's city code sets corner-lot fence limits and limits the height and rear-yard coverage of accessory structures. Home businesses need a city permit, generally may not receive customers, and many uses are not allowed.
Key points
- Corner-lot fences: On corner lots, Antioch limits fences in the required street side yard setback to 6 feet; they must not block the clear vision zone.
- Accessory structures: Antioch limits accessory structures in residential districts to 15 feet, and detached ones to 40% of the main building's required rear yard.
- Home business: Antioch home businesses need a use permit and business license; no customer visits, except up to 6 students in 24 hours for lessons.
Each rule below is marked Antioch code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Height anywhere on the lot |
|
|---|---|
| Permit |
|
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Antioch code Antioch limits accessory structures in residential districts to 15 feet, and detached ones to 40% of the main building's required rear yard.
All 8 Antioch rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Antioch code Antioch home businesses need a use permit and business license; no customer visits, except up to 6 students in 24 hours for lessons.
All 5 Antioch rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Antioch code Only on the street next to property the RV owner or operator owns or lives on. No RV parking on residential streets, except while actively loading, unloading, cleaning or repairing, for up to 24 hours.
All 3 Antioch rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|
Tree removal
Antioch code The City Engineer may authorize removal without a tree removal permit or regular development application. Trees may be removed without a permit.
Swimming pools
Antioch code The house or an accessory building may form part of the enclosure. A fence or wall at least 6 feet high.
Pets, chickens and bees
Antioch code Yes, but only in an agricultural or open space zoning district, with a permit from the Animal Control Supervisor. Up to 10 ducks, geese, chickens or other fowl in total without a permit. A rooster needs a permit.
All 7 Antioch rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
Antioch code No grading unless it is specifically shown on an approved final development plan. Mass grading is generally not allowed.
All 5 Antioch rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
Antioch code Based on an average improved residential land value of $100,000 per acre; the fee is set by unit type. 5.0 acres of park land per 1,000 people.
All 8 Antioch rules on park and impact fees for new homes, 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 |
Group homes and residential care
Antioch code At least 1 parking space for every 2 persons who reside in the facility. Treated as residential use, with only the requirements of other permitted residential uses of the same type in that district.
All 3 Antioch rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Antioch code 1 space must be covered. 1 space must be covered.
All 16 Antioch rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Antioch code No alarm may sound over 15 consecutive minutes, or repeat more than twice in a row per armed period. Set by City Council resolution for each later false alarm.
All 4 Antioch rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Antioch code 14 calendar days after the event. At most 4 square feet.
Trash and recycling carts
Antioch code Subscribe to the city's three-container service for trash, recyclable materials and organics. Subscribe with the contractor for collection of trash, organics and recyclable materials.
All 5 Antioch rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Antioch rules on this
Antioch's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Floodplain management (Ch. 4, Art. 20)
- Construction noise hours (§ 5-17.05)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Antioch?
On corner lots, Antioch limits fences in the required street side yard setback to 6 feet; they must not block the clear vision zone.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Antioch?
Antioch's code: The Building Official issues all needed permits when the application meets the city's checklist. Electronic applications and signatures are accepted. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 8-21.04).
Can I run a family child care home in Antioch?
California law sets this for every city, including Antioch: 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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