Atwater · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Atwater
Atwater sets fence heights by location and material, with lower limits in exterior setbacks. Small accessory structures are exempt from the accessory rules, and home businesses need a permit and are limited in size.
Key points
- Fence height: Atwater limits wood fences to 7 feet on interior property lines and 3 feet in exterior setbacks; open chainlink there, at most 4 feet.
- Small structures: In Atwater, one accessory structure per lot under 120 square feet and under 8 feet tall is exempt from the city's accessory rules.
- Home business: Atwater home businesses may use 1/4 of the main residence or 400 square feet, whichever is smallest; only residents may work there.
Each rule below is marked Atwater code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Atwater code Atwater limits wood fences to 7 feet on interior property lines and 3 feet in exterior setbacks; open chainlink there, at most 4 feet.
All 4 Atwater rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| No permit needed up to |
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Running a business from home
Atwater code Atwater home businesses may use 1/4 of the main residence or 400 square feet, whichever is smallest; only residents may work there.
All 5 Atwater rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Atwater code Fully inside a lawfully existing structure. In the rear or side yard setbacks.
All 6 Atwater rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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|---|
Swimming pools
Atwater code Openings no larger than 6 inches square. The barrier must be a type children cannot easily climb.
Building in a flood zone
Atwater code A development permit is required before any construction or other development begins in a special flood hazard area. No fill, new building, substantial improvement or other new development unless an engineer certifies no rise in base flood elevation.
All 5 Atwater rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
Atwater code 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
All 3 Atwater rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
| Hours |
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|---|---|
| Signs |
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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 |
Signs on homes
Atwater code May stay up a maximum of 10 days after the election. At most 140 days during any calendar year.
Trash and recycling carts
Atwater code All material put out for collection must be sorted into its proper container. Return containers off the public right-of-way by 10:00 p.m. on the regular collection day.
All 5 Atwater rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Atwater rules on this
Atwater's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Permit to keep chickens, goats and other farm animals (Ch. 6.04)
- Keeping bees (Ch. 8.08) — bees are not allowed
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Atwater?
In Atwater, one accessory structure per lot under 120 square feet and under 8 feet tall is exempt from the city's accessory rules.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Atwater?
Atwater's code: Applications may be sent electronically (e-mail, internet or fax), and electronic signatures are accepted. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 15.04.015); The Building Official approves and issues all needed permits when the application meets the City's adopted checklist. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations; the application must also meet applicable laws and health and safety standards.) (§ 15.04.015).
What are the garage sale rules in Atwater?
Atwater's code: From dawn to 4:00 p.m., including setup and takedown. (Only on the first and third Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday of each month.) (§ 17.07.030); Up to 2 unlit signs, each at most 3 feet in area and 3 feet tall, only during the sale. (Only on private property with the owner's consent; not on utility poles, traffic signal poles or in the public right-of-way.) (§ 17.69.420).
Can I run a family child care home in Atwater?
California law sets this for every city, including Atwater: 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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