Bradbury · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Bradbury
Bradbury sets fence, hedge and wall heights by yard, with lower limits next to streets and at corners. Building, moving or altering any fence or wall needs city approval.
Key points
- Fence height: Bradbury limits hedges and walls in a yard abutting a street to 3 feet and fences there to 6 feet; rear-yard fences, 6 feet.
- Permits: Bradbury requires a permit to build, enlarge, relocate or structurally alter any fence, yard wall or retaining wall.
Each rule below is marked Bradbury code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Bradbury code Bradbury limits hedges and walls in a yard abutting a street to 3 feet and fences there to 6 feet; rear-yard fences, 6 feet. Bradbury requires a permit to build, enlarge, relocate or structurally alter any fence, yard wall or retaining wall.
All 9 Bradbury rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Bradbury code At most 2 parcels of about equal area; neither may be smaller than 40% of the original lot. Each new parcel must be at least 1,200 square feet.
All 7 Bradbury rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| Solar permit process |
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|---|
Tree removal
Bradbury code Yes, a permit is needed, but it carries no fee. The restoration cost becomes a lien on the property, or a debt of the remover if not the owner.
Swimming pools
Bradbury code No opening, hole or gap larger than 4 inches in any dimension, except doors and gates. Spaces between pickets may be no more than 4 inches wide.
All 8 Bradbury rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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|---|
Building on a hillside
Bradbury code An engineering soils or geology report showing the slope is stable, approved by the City Engineer. At most 20 feet.
All 10 Bradbury rules on building on a hillside, 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
| Parking |
|
|---|
Parking spaces required for homes
Bradbury code 2 parking spaces in a garage. 1 additional off-street space in a garage for each 2 additional bedrooms or sleeping rooms.
All 3 Bradbury rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
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|---|---|
| When carts may go to the curb |
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Historic homes
Bradbury code The City authorizes Mills Act contracts. Mills Act contracts are limited to qualified historic properties.
All 5 Bradbury rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Bradbury rules on this
Bradbury's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Keeping bees (§ 6.10.060) — larger lots only
- Raising and keeping animals in residential zones (§ 9.124.020) — residential zones
- Parking oversize vehicles and RVs on streets (§ 4.01.1050) — on public streets
- Erosion and runoff controls at construction sites (§ 15.03.050)
- Hillside grading and building standards (§ 9.97.100)
- Noise limits on residential property (Ch. 9.127)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Bradbury?
Bradbury's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary review: a building permit is issued once a complete application meets the approved checklist and standard plan. (Small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 17.11.060); Only one inspection; it is scheduled within 2 business days of a request, with a 2-hour window. (Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 17.11.060).
What are the rules for building in a Bradbury flood zone?
Bradbury's code: A development permit is needed for all construction or development, including placing manufactured homes. (§ 4.05.200).
Can I run a family child care home in Bradbury?
California law sets this for every city, including Bradbury: 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)).
Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in Bradbury?
Bradbury's code: One additional parking space on the property for each employee. (Large residential care facilities.) (§ 9.49.025); All required parking spaces must be provided on the property. (Large residential care facilities.) (§ 9.49.025).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Bradbury?
Bradbury's code: By 6:00 a.m. on the day following the established collection day (§ 11.01.480); Not before 6:00 p.m. on the day before collection day (§ 11.01.480).
General information, not legal advice.
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