Exeter · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Exeter

Exeter sets its own rules for pool enclosures, the number of cats and dogs, and EV charger permits. Accessory structures and home occupations have their own sections in the zoning code.

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Key points

Pool fences: Exeter requires a fence at least 4 and no more than 6 feet high completely around a pool, its lot or premises.
Pool gates: Pool gates and doors need self-closing, self-latching devices, and the enclosure may have no opening larger than 6 inches square.
Cats and dogs: Exeter allows at most 4 cats and dogs combined over 4 months old; animal control may allow a fifth for up to 30 days.
EV chargers: Exeter gives EV chargers administrative review; a complete application that meets the standards and checklist may not be denied.
Accessory structures: Exeter covers accessory structures in zoning code § 17.64.02.
Home businesses: Exeter covers running a business from home in its home occupation rules, zoning code § 17.64.07.

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

Solar panels and EV chargers

Exeter code What Exeter's code adds
EV charger permit	Administrative review; a complete application that meets the required standards and approved checklist will not be denied. Applies: EV charging stations with no specific, adverse impact on public health or safety. § 15.56.060 · code text The building official shall implement an administrative review process to expedite approval of electric vehicle charging stations. No permit needed unless changes materially alter the station's size, type or components. Applies: EV charging stations legally set up or permitted before the ordinance took effect. § 15.56.030 · code text All electric vehicle charging stations legally established or permitted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall not require a permit issued under this section unless physical modifications or alterations are undertaken that materially change the size, type, or components of an electric vehicle charging station.

Swimming pools

Exeter code Exeter requires a fence at least 4 and no more than 6 feet high completely around a pool, its lot or premises. Pool gates and doors need self-closing, self-latching devices, and the enclosure may have no opening larger than 6 inches square.

All 5 Exeter rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Exeter code Exeter allows at most 4 cats and dogs combined over 4 months old; animal control may allow a fifth for up to 30 days.

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

Noise and construction hours

Exeter code What Exeter's code adds
Quiet hours	10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Applies: In a residential zone or within 500 feet of one; no noise that annoys a reasonable person of normal sensitivity. § 9.20.030 · code text Between the hours of ten p.m. of one day and six a.m. of the following day, it is unlawful for any person within a residential zone, or within a radius of five hundred feet therefrom, to create, cause to be created or maintain sources of noise which shall cause annoyance or discomfort to a reasonable person of normal sensitiveness in the neighborhood.

Garage and yard sales

Exeter code What Exeter's code adds
Permit	The permit fee is $3. § 5.52.030 · code text The charge for the permit shall be three dollars.
Signs	Only 1 sign, on the sale property; remove it within 6 hours after the sale closes. § 5.52.060 · code text No sign shall be posted advertising such a sale excepting one sign on the property on which the sale is to take place, and such sign shall be removed from the property within six hours following the close of the sale.

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)

Trash and recycling carts

Exeter code What Exeter's code adds
Required collection service	Service is mandatory for every occupied property in the city. § 8.16.015 · code text It shall be mandatory for every occupied property within the city to receive solid waste disposal service provided by the city or the city's authorized contractor.
When carts must come back	not later than six-thirty p.m. of the day of the scheduled pickup § 8.16.015 · code text Containers shall be removed from curbside not later than six-thirty p.m. of the day of the scheduled pickup.

Other Exeter rules on this

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

Accessory structures (§ 17.64.02)
Home occupations (§ 17.64.07)
Floodplain management (Ch. 8.48)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Exeter?

Exeter covers accessory structures in zoning code § 17.64.02. Exeter also has a related rule: Accessory structures (§ 17.64.02).

Can I run a business from my home in Exeter?

Exeter covers running a business from home in its home occupation rules, zoning code § 17.64.07. Exeter also has a related rule: Home occupations (§ 17.64.07).

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

Exeter gives EV chargers administrative review; a complete application that meets the standards and checklist may not be denied.

What are the noise rules and construction hours in Exeter?

Exeter's code: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (In a residential zone or within 500 feet of one; no noise that annoys a reasonable person of normal sensitivity.) (§ 9.20.030).

What are the garage sale rules in Exeter?

Exeter's code: The permit fee is $3. (§ 5.52.030); Only 1 sign, on the sale property; remove it within 6 hours after the sale closes. (§ 5.52.060).

Can I run a family child care home in Exeter?

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

Exeter's code: Service is mandatory for every occupied property in the city. (§ 8.16.015); not later than six-thirty p.m. of the day of the scheduled pickup (§ 8.16.015).

General information, not legal advice.

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