Dublin · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Dublin
Dublin sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard and accessory height on lot size, and some businesses may not run from a home.
Key points
- Fence height: In residential and agricultural districts, Dublin limits fences to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side, street side and rear yards.
- Accessory structures: Dublin limits detached accessory structures to 15 feet, or 10 feet on lots under 5,000 square feet, and 30% of the required rear yard.
- Banned businesses: Dublin does not allow some home businesses, including personal services other than tutoring, carpentry, animal grooming, medical offices and welding.
Each rule below is marked Dublin code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Dublin code In residential and agricultural districts, Dublin limits fences to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side, street side and rear yards.
All 9 Dublin rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Dublin code Dublin limits detached accessory structures to 15 feet, or 10 feet on lots under 5,000 square feet, and 30% of the required rear yard.
All 5 Dublin rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
| Businesses not allowed |
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Lot splits under SB 9
Dublin code Each new parcel must be at least 40% of the original lot area. At least 1,200 square feet.
All 12 Dublin 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
Dublin code Exempt: removing a heritage tree that is an immediate hazard to life or property, with city approval. Exempt: heritage tree removal specifically approved in a city-approved development plan, use permit, site review, or subdivision map.
Grading and erosion control
Dublin code No steeper than 2 horizontal to 1 vertical. Slopes steeper than 2 horizontal to 1 vertical may be permitted.
All 3 Dublin rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
Dublin code Equal to the active community, natural community and neighborhood parks land fees of the city's public facilities fee. 5 acres of park land per 1,000 residents.
All 5 Dublin rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
| Leaf blowers and equipment |
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|---|---|
| Quiet hours |
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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)
Dublin code Projects where all dwelling units are affordable are exempt, excluding units reserved for property management. The fee amount is set by the City Council resolution in effect when the building permit is issued.
All 9 Dublin rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Dublin code 2 spaces in an enclosed garage per dwelling. The enclosed garage is not required if 2 full-size unenclosed spaces are provided elsewhere on the lot.
All 10 Dublin rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Dublin code The alarm must silence within a maximum of 15 minutes of activation. $50 fine, charged to the property owner or lessee.
All 4 Dublin rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Dublin code No more than 60 consecutive calendar days. At most 16 square feet per side for each sign.
Trash and recycling carts
Dublin code Provide and use at least 1 container each for organic waste, solid waste and recyclable material. By the day after collection, carts must be out of view from the street. Carts in side yards are excepted.
All 4 Dublin rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Dublin rules on this
Dublin's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Permit to keep more dogs or cats, or livestock (§ 5.36.030)
- Flood-resistant design for homes in flood zones (§ 7.34.130) — flood hazard areas only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Dublin?
Dublin does not allow some home businesses, including personal services other than tutoring, carpentry, animal grooming, medical offices and welding.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Dublin?
Dublin's code: Priority review; permits are issued administratively when the application is complete and meets the checklist; only one inspection. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 7.96.070).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Dublin?
Dublin's code: Sunday–Thursday 8 p.m. to 10 a.m.; Friday–Saturday 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. (Amplified noise, such as stereos, speakers and instruments, in residential zoning districts.) (§ 5.28.030); No landscape equipment, like mowers, leaf blowers or edgers, Monday–Friday 8 p.m.–7 a.m. or weekends 8 p.m.–8 a.m. (Residential zoning districts.) (§ 5.28.030).
Can I run a family child care home in Dublin?
California law sets this for every city, including Dublin: 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)).
General information, not legal advice.
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