El Centro · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in El Centro
El Centro sets its own limits on fences and accessory buildings. Fence height depends on the yard and on whether the fence is solid or open.
Key points
- Fence height: El Centro limits fences to 6 feet behind the required front yard; in front, solid fences to 36 inches, open ones 48 inches.
- Accessory buildings: In residential rear yards, El Centro limits accessory buildings to 50% of the required yard, with at least 6 feet between building walls.
Each rule below is marked El Centro code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
El Centro code El Centro limits fences to 6 feet behind the required front yard; in front, solid fences to 36 inches, open ones 48 inches.
All 4 El Centro rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
El Centro code In residential rear yards, El Centro limits accessory buildings to 50% of the required yard, with at least 6 feet between building walls.
All 4 El Centro rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Where it may be parked |
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|---|
Swimming pools
El Centro code The barrier must block access by anyone other than the owners or occupants. At least 5 feet high.
All 3 El Centro rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
El Centro code Yes, up to 2 poultry; more than 2 need a conditional use permit, which allows no more than 25. Horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine and mules: allowed in the rural residential zone; elsewhere only as animal raising projects.
All 6 El Centro rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
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| Height of the lowest floor |
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Grading and erosion control
| Erosion control plan |
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|---|---|
| Grading without a permit |
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Noise and construction hours
El Centro code 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. No construction equipment allowed.
All 7 El Centro rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
El Centro code A permit is required; apply at least 2 working days before the sale. No more than 1 permit per calendar month and 12 sales in total.
All 4 El Centro 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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
El Centro code Required parking spaces must be provided and kept available. 0.25 guest space per dwelling unit for 5 or more units. No guest parking for fewer than 5 units.
All 9 El Centro rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
El Centro code Display no more than 90 consecutive calendar days before the event. Remove within 15 calendar days after. Up to 32 square feet per sign.
All 4 El Centro rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
El Centro code Remove receptacles before 10:00 p.m. on the day they are emptied. No earlier than sunset on the day before the designated collection day.
All 3 El Centro rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other El Centro rules on this
El Centro's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Outdoor lighting standards (Sec. 29-149)
- Development impact fee (Ch. 20, Art. V)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I park an RV or boat at my home in El Centro?
El Centro's code: RVs over 1 ton may not park on private property, except to load or unload. (Residential zones; loading or unloading is limited to 24 hours at a time and 14 days a year.) (§ 29-135).
What are the rules for building in an El Centro flood zone?
El Centro's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes. (In any area of special flood hazard.) (§ 8-54); At or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 8-56).
What are the grading rules in El Centro?
El Centro's code: Under 10,000 square feet of land disturbance and under 5,000 square feet of new or replaced impervious surface. (Development activity.) (§ 7-121); The city engineer must approve an erosion control plan before any land disturbance. (Grading or earthwork under a city permit; a registered civil engineer signs the plan.) (§ 7-124).
Can I run a family child care home in El Centro?
California law sets this for every city, including El Centro: 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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