Calimesa · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Calimesa
Calimesa requires prior approval for fences, sets when an accessory building skips minor development plan review, and limits home businesses. Home businesses need a permit and a city business license.
Key points
- Fence approval: City rule: a fence needs prior approval through a DPR, a CUP or the planning department; a fence without it is prohibited.
- Accessory buildings: A single-family accessory building up to 650 square feet and 18 feet tall, not facing a public street, skips minor development plan review.
- Home businesses: City rule: home businesses need a home occupation permit and a city business license, and only the home's occupants may work there.
Each rule below is marked Calimesa code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Permit |
|
|---|
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| No permit needed up to |
|
|---|
Running a business from home
Calimesa code City rule: home businesses need a home occupation permit and a city business license, and only the home's occupants may work there.
All 6 Calimesa rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Calimesa code Front or side yard, on an improved surface, without reaching into the public right-of-way or over the sidewalk. Up to 2 more RVs may be parked in the rear yard.
All 13 Calimesa rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Calimesa code Expedited nondiscretionary building permit if the station meets all health and safety rules; apply in person, by mail or electronically. Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a permit issues when a complete application meets the approved checklist and standard plan. Electronic filing available.
All 3 Calimesa rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Calimesa code Commercial tree farms, city projects and single-family lots under 1 acre are exempt from the 36-inch box replacement rule. No permit is required.
Building in a flood zone
Calimesa code All proposed construction or other development in the city, including manufactured homes, needs a development permit. Fill, new buildings and other development are not allowed unless a civil engineer certifies no rise in flood levels.
All 3 Calimesa rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
Calimesa code Cut and fill slopes may be no steeper than 2:1. Cut and fill slopes may be as steep as 1.5:1.
All 4 Calimesa rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
Calimesa code Powered construction equipment may run only from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Powered construction equipment may run only from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All 7 Calimesa rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| When lights must be off |
|
|---|---|
| Shielding |
|
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)
| Fee instead of units |
|
|---|---|
| Share of affordable units |
|
Parking spaces required for homes
Calimesa code RV parking surface may cover no more than 50% of the front yard and 50% of the side yard. No more than 1 recreational vehicle may be parked in the front or side yard.
All 13 Calimesa rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Calimesa code A civil penalty applies, set by city council resolution. Third and later false alarms in a fiscal year are a public nuisance; council resolution sets the penalty.
All 3 Calimesa rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Calimesa code 1 on-site open house sign of 4 square feet may be permitted. 3 off-site open house signs of 4 square feet each, for no more than 72 hours.
All 3 Calimesa rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| Sorting organics and green waste |
|
|---|---|
| When carts must come back |
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| When carts may go to the curb |
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| Where carts are kept |
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Other Calimesa rules on this
Calimesa's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 17.15.060)
- Grading and erosion control in hillside areas (§ 18.55.090) — hillside development area only
- Park and recreation mitigation fee (Ch. 18.110)
- Regional transportation mitigation fee (§ 18.105.030)
- Development impact fees on building permits (§ 18.115.030)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Calimesa?
City rule: a fence needs prior approval through a DPR, a CUP or the planning department; a fence without it is prohibited.
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Calimesa?
A single-family accessory building up to 650 square feet and 18 feet tall, not facing a public street, skips minor development plan review.
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Calimesa?
Calimesa's code: All lights must be aimed and shielded so no light or glare reaches neighboring properties, public streets or driveways. (§ 18.120.070); Outdoor lights must be off during daylight hours, from sunrise to sunset. (§ 18.120.070).
Can I run a family child care home in Calimesa?
California law sets this for every city, including Calimesa: 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)).
Does Calimesa require affordable units in new housing?
Calimesa's code: Fee is calculated in the manner set by city council resolution. (For each market-rate dwelling unit subject to the inclusionary housing requirement.) (§ 18.130.075); At least 5% of lots or units must be sold as inclusionary units restricted to owner occupancy by low-income households. (All residential developments.) (§ 18.130.030).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Calimesa?
Calimesa's code: Yard waste must go in a separate container, as the city manager specifies. (Yard waste.) (§ 8.30.580); Containers must be removed from the street or right-of-way within 12 hours after collection. (§ 8.30.580).
General information, not legal advice.
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