Colton · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Colton

Colton requires Director approval for chain link fencing and sets home business limits for homes on the City Register of Historic and Scenic Resources.

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Key points

Chain link fences: City rule: chain link fencing in residential and nonresidential zones needs Director approval, based on appearance, structural quality and durability.
Historic homes: For homes on the City Register of Historic and Scenic Resources, only resident family members may work in a home business.

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

Fences and walls

Colton code What Colton's code adds
Permit	The Director may approve chain link fencing after considering its appearance, structural quality and durability. Applies: For chain link fencing in residential and nonresidential zones. § 18.38.050 · code text the placement of chain link fencing in all residential and Nonresidential Zones within the City may be Approved by the Director

Running a business from home

Colton code What Colton's code adds
Customer visits	No foot or car traffic beyond what is normal in the zone. Applies: For home businesses in homes listed on the City Register of Historic and Scenic Resources. § 18.44.040 · code text The Use Shall not generate Pedestrian or vehicular traffic beyond that normally found in the zone in which it is located.
Employees	No employees other than family members who live in the home. Applies: For home businesses in homes listed on the City Register of Historic and Scenic Resources. § 18.44.040 · code text There Shall be no Employees other than members of the residential Family living in the residence.

Lot splits under SB 9

Colton code Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot area. More than 500 and no more than 800 square feet.

All 9 Colton rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Colton code What Colton's code adds
EV charger permit	Permits issue when the application meets the City's checklist and laws; electronic submittal is allowed. Applies: EV charging stations. The application must show it meets Colton Electric Utility policies before approval. § 18.48.200 · code text A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the City's adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed.
Solar permit process	City staff issue a building or other nondiscretionary permit within a reasonable time after a complete application meets the checklist. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems that also meet the standard plan. § 15.60.060 · code text The Building Department Shall adopt a standard plan and checklist of all requirements with which small residential rooftop solar energy systems Shall comply in order to be eligible for expedited permitting.

Swimming pools

Colton code The barrier must be designed so it does not work like a ladder. The barrier must completely surround the pool or water area.

All 4 Colton rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Colton code No more than 3 animals per acre in total. Allowed.

All 3 Colton rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Colton code What Colton's code adds
Floodplain permit	A Development Permit is needed before any construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. § 15.22.130 · code text A Development Permit Shall be obtained before any construction or other Development begins within any Area of Special Flood Hazard established in Section 15.22.070.
Height of the lowest floor	At least the FIRM depth number, in feet, above highest adjacent grade; at least 2 feet if no number. Applies: New homes or substantial improvements in an AO Zone. § 15.22.170 · code text In an AO Zone, elevated above the Highest Adjacent Grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the Highest Adjacent Grade if no depth number is specified; Lowest floor at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New homes or substantial improvements in an A Zone. § 15.22.170 · code text In an A Zone, elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation; Lowest floor at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New homes or substantial improvements in all other flood zones. § 15.22.170 · code text In all other zones, elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation.

Building on a hillside

Colton code A preliminary geotechnical report is required; a final report may also be needed, depending on the site and design. No grading on slopes over 30%, per the General Plan.

All 9 Colton rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →

Park and impact fees for new homes

Colton code Exempt: condo or stock cooperative projects in apartment buildings over 5 years old that add no new units. If park land and facilities given are worth less than required, the subdivider pays the difference as an in-lieu fee.

All 5 Colton rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →

Outdoor lighting

Colton code What Colton's code adds
Light at the property line	No direct or reflected glare may be visible from the property line. § 18.42.100 · code text No direct or reflected Glare, whether produced by Floodlight, high temperature processes such as combustion or welding, or other processes, so as to be visible from the boundary line of Property on which the same is produced, Shall be Permitted.

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)

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Colton code The city bills its costs of responding to false alarms to the alarm owner, the occupant and others responsible. 2 free false alarms.

All 5 Colton rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Signs on homes

Colton code 16 square feet total area. The total for a single candidate may not exceed 32 square feet per parcel. Street address signs.

All 5 Colton rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

Colton code What Colton's code adds
When carts may go to the curb	Not before six p.m. the day before each day set for collection § 6.16.100 · code text Not earlier than six p.m. of the Day before each Day set for collection, containers to be collected Shall be placed on the Curb in front of the Premises.
Where carts are kept	Keep containers on the premises in a suitable place. Applies: Applies between the time of collection and removal. § 6.16.070 · code text Every Owner, Tenant, Employee, or Occupant of any Premises where Solid Waste, including Organic Waste and/or Recyclable Materials, is created Shall maintain upon such Premises in a suitable place one or more Solid Waste containers, Organic Waste containers, and/or Recycling containers, together with tight-fitting covers, constructed of galvanized metal, rubber, plastic, or other material approved by the Public Works Director, for receiving and holding all Solid Waste, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Materials created upon such Premises between the time of collection and removal.

Historic homes

Colton code 50 years old or older. A Certificate of Appropriateness is required.

All 6 Colton rules on historic homes, with the code text →

Other Colton rules on this

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

Noise limit at the property line (§ 18.42.040)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Colton?

City rule: chain link fencing in residential and nonresidential zones needs Director approval, based on appearance, structural quality and durability.

Can I run a business from my home in Colton?

For homes on the City Register of Historic and Scenic Resources, only resident family members may work in a home business.

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Colton?

Colton's code: City staff issue a building or other nondiscretionary permit within a reasonable time after a complete application meets the checklist. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems that also meet the standard plan.) (§ 15.60.060); Permits issue when the application meets the City's checklist and laws; electronic submittal is allowed. (EV charging stations. The application must show it meets Colton Electric Utility policies before approval.) (§ 18.48.200).

What are the rules for building in a Colton flood zone?

Colton's code: A Development Permit is needed before any construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.22.130); At least the FIRM depth number, in feet, above highest adjacent grade; at least 2 feet if no number. (New homes or substantial improvements in an AO Zone.) (§ 15.22.170).

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Colton?

Colton's code: No direct or reflected glare may be visible from the property line. (§ 18.42.100).

Can I run a family child care home in Colton?

California law sets this for every city, including Colton: 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 Colton?

Colton's code: Not before six p.m. the day before each day set for collection (§ 6.16.100); Keep containers on the premises in a suitable place. (Applies between the time of collection and removal.) (§ 6.16.070).

General information, not legal advice.

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