Bell · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Bell

Bell's city rules for accessory structures apply to lots in the R-3 zone. They set a height limit and say how close detached accessory buildings may be to lot lines and alleys.

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Key points

Height: In the R-3 zone, Bell limits accessory buildings and structures to 15 feet, except accessory dwelling units.
Placement: Detached accessory buildings on R-3 lots may sit next to the rear lot line, or 5 feet from it where it abuts an alley.

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

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Bell code In the R-3 zone, Bell limits accessory buildings and structures to 15 feet, except accessory dwelling units. Detached accessory buildings on R-3 lots may sit next to the rear lot line, or 5 feet from it where it abuts an alley.

All 7 Bell rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

RV and boat parking

Bell code What Bell's code adds
Parking on the street	Only while hitched to a vehicle that can move it normally on the street. Applies: Applies to trailers, semitrailers and trailer coaches parked on a city street. § 10.28.210 · code text No person shall park or leave standing any trailer, semitrailer or trailer coach on any city street unless the same is attached to a vehicle capable of moving the trailer, semitrailer or trailer coach in a normal manner upon the street.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Bell code Fast administrative review; electronic filing and signatures accepted; permits issue when the application meets the checklist and applicable laws. The permit is issued within 2 weeks.

All 5 Bell rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →

Swimming pools

Bell code What Bell's code adds
Pool barrier	Openings no larger than 2½ inches in any direction. Applies: Applies to wire fences. § 8.44.030 · code text The aggregate of individual openings in the fence shall not scale more than two and one-half inches when measured in any direction, gate and doors excepted. Mesh of at least 11-gauge galvanized steel wire. Applies: Applies to wire fences. § 8.44.030 · code text Wire fences shall be constructed of mesh not less than 11 gauge galvanized steel wire supported on one and one-fourth inch diameter galvanized pipe, spaced not over 10 feet on centers. Galvanized pipe supports one and one-fourth inch in diameter, spaced no more than 10 feet on centers Applies: Wire fences § 8.44.030 · code text Wire fences shall be constructed of mesh not less than 11 gauge galvanized steel wire supported on one and one-fourth inch diameter galvanized pipe, spaced not over 10 feet on centers. Posts at least 12 inches in diameter and 18 inches deep. Applies: Applies to wire fences. § 8.44.030 · code text Posts shall be imbedded at least 12 inches in diameter and 18 inches in depth. Posts at least 3 by 3 inches, at most 10 feet on center, set 18+ inches into the ground. Applies: Applies to wood fences. § 8.44.020 · code text Wood fences shall have posts not less than three inches by three inches, spaced not over 10 feet on centers, and imbedded at least 18 inches into the ground. Boards at least ½ inch thick, fastened securely to at least 2 rails of at least 2 by 3 inches. Applies: Applies to wood fences. § 8.44.020 · code text Fencing shall be at least one-half inch in thickness and fastened securely to at least two rails not less than two inches by three inches in cross section.
Barrier height	At least 6 feet tall. Applies: Applies to the fence or wall around the pool or the whole lot, for any pool or body of water 2 feet deep or more. § 8.44.010 · code text a fence, wall, or other structure not less than six feet in height with no opening therein, except door or gates constructed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Gates	Self-closing, self-latching devices at least 4 feet above grade; gates and doors stay closed when not in use. § 8.44.070 · code text All gates or doors opening through the fence or structure protecting a swimming pool as required by this chapter, shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices not less than four feet above grade capable of keeping such gate or door securely closed at all times when not in actual use. Doors and gates must fully fill the opening and stay closed and latched when the pool is not in use. § 8.44.070 · code text All doors or gates shall be of such size as to completely fill any opening in the fence or wall. The owner or person in possession of the premises on which such swimming pool exists shall keep such doors and gates closed and securely latched at all times when such swimming pool is not in use.

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
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)

Trash and recycling carts

Bell code What Bell's code adds
When carts may go to the curb	Not more than 24 hours before the normal collection time. § 8.24.180 · code text No container shall be placed adjacent to a street or public right-of-way for collection service more than 24 hours prior to the normal collection time.

Other Bell rules on this

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

Keeping bees is not allowed (§ 8.50.030)
Loud noise and sound devices (Ch. 8.28)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Bell?

Bell's code: At least 6 feet tall. (Applies to the fence or wall around the pool or the whole lot, for any pool or body of water 2 feet deep or more.) (§ 8.44.010); Self-closing, self-latching devices at least 4 feet above grade; gates and doors stay closed when not in use. (§ 8.44.070).

Can I run a family child care home in Bell?

California law sets this for every city, including Bell: 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)).

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Bell?

Bell's code: Not more than 24 hours before the normal collection time. (§ 8.24.180).

General information, not legal advice.

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