Delano · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Delano
Delano sets its own limits on fences, accessory buildings and home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard and the grade next to a sidewalk, and accessory buildings may not be higher than the main structure.
Key points
- Fence height: Delano limits residential fences to 40 inches in a required front yard and 6 feet in interior side and rear yards.
- Accessory buildings: Delano limits detached accessory buildings in residential districts to 15 feet, and no higher than the main structure.
- Home businesses: Delano requires a Home Occupation Permit and allows only resident family members who live on the premises as employees.
Each rule below is marked Delano code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Delano code Delano limits residential fences to 40 inches in a required front yard and 6 feet in interior side and rear yards.
All 3 Delano rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Maximum height |
|
|---|---|
| Side and rear setback |
|
Running a business from home
Delano code Delano requires a Home Occupation Permit and allows only resident family members who live on the premises as employees.
All 5 Delano rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Delano code Only with a conditional use permit; hives at least 400 feet from streets, public schools, parks, and other people's homes. At least 10 feet from a home on the same lot.
All 15 Delano rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Delano code A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in any special flood hazard area. Development must not harm the flood area's carrying capacity or raise base flood levels more than 1 foot anywhere.
All 4 Delano rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
| Steepest cut or fill slope |
|
|---|
Park and impact fees for new homes
Delano code The fee equals the fair market value of the park land needed to serve the subdivision's residents. The city standard is 3 acres of parkland for each 1,000 residents.
All 3 Delano rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| Light at the property line |
|
|---|---|
| Shielding |
|
Garage and yard sales
Delano code 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Only Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the first full 3-day weekend of each month.
All 8 Delano rules on garage and yard sales, 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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Delano code $25 for the second false alarm in the same calendar year. $50 for the third false alarm in the same calendar year.
All 6 Delano rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Delano code At most 6 square feet, and at most 4 feet high if freestanding. At most 12 square feet, and at most 5 feet high if freestanding.
Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
|
|---|---|
| Where carts are kept |
|
Other Delano rules on this
Delano's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Solar panel design standards (§ 20.10.330)
- Draining a swimming pool (§ 13.24.100)
- Private swimming pools on home lots (§ 20.11.250) — residential lots
- Noise rules and limits (Ch. 9.36)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Delano?
Delano limits detached accessory buildings in residential districts to 15 feet, and no higher than the main structure.
What are the grading rules in Delano?
Delano's code: Cut slopes may be no steeper than 1½ horizontal to 1 vertical. (Existing slopes and proposed cut slopes, except as the code otherwise provides.) (§ 16.16.230); Fill slopes may be no steeper than 2 horizontal to 1 vertical. (Existing or proposed fill slopes, except as the code otherwise provides.) (§ 16.16.240).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Delano?
Delano's code: Lighting must point downward and must not cause glare on adjacent properties. (§ 20.12.80); No more than ½ foot-candle. (Measured on any adjacent property, from direct or indirect light.) (§ 20.12.80).
Can I run a family child care home in Delano?
California law sets this for every city, including Delano: 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 Delano?
Delano's code: By eight p.m. of the collection day (§ 13.48.080); Do not store refuse containers or rubbish in the front yard or street side, unless screened from public view. (§ 13.48.080).
General information, not legal advice.
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