Fontana · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Fontana
Fontana sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the setback and the material, and accessory size depends on lot size and the home's living area.
Key points
- Fence height: Fontana limits fences in interior side and rear setbacks to 6 feet; front-setback limits are 3 to 5 feet, depending on material.
- Sheds: Fontana limits sheds to 8 feet tall and 120 square feet, set at least 3 feet from side and rear property lines.
- Home businesses: Fontana requires a home occupation permit and generally allows no clients, customers or non-resident employees.
Each rule below is marked Fontana code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Fontana code Fontana limits fences in interior side and rear setbacks to 6 feet; front-setback limits are 3 to 5 feet, depending on material.
All 12 Fontana rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Fontana code Fontana limits sheds to 8 feet tall and 120 square feet, set at least 3 feet from side and rear property lines.
All 18 Fontana rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Fontana code Fontana requires a home occupation permit and generally allows no clients, customers or non-resident employees.
All 4 Fontana rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Parking on the street |
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|---|
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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|---|---|
| Solar permit process |
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Swimming pools
Fontana code Side-yard pool equipment keeps 3 feet of clear space from the fence and needs Director-approved sound reduction devices. Pool equipment may go beside exterior air conditioning equipment, but not beside or below the home's first-story bedroom window.
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
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Building on a hillside
Fontana code At most 75 percent of the lot may be graded or disturbed. At most 50 percent of the lot may be graded or disturbed.
All 9 Fontana rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
| Parkland per 1,000 residents |
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|---|---|
| When the fee applies |
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Noise and construction hours
| Construction hours on weekdays |
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|---|---|
| Construction hours on weekends and holidays |
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Outdoor lighting
| Shielding |
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|---|
Garage and yard sales
| Hours |
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|---|---|
| How long a sale may last |
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| Sales per year |
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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)
Fontana code Residential developments of fewer than 5 dwelling units or parcels are exempt. Remodeling or expanding a single-family home, or rebuilding after a calamity, is exempt if units do not increase.
All 11 Fontana rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
| Spaces for a single-family home |
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|---|
Signs on homes
| Election and other noncommercial signs |
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|---|
Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
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|---|---|
| When carts may go to the curb |
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| Where carts are kept |
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Historic homes
Fontana code A certificate of appropriateness from the city council is required. A certificate of appropriateness from the city council is required.
Other Fontana rules on this
Fontana's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 30-302.1)
- Permit to remove a heritage, significant or specimen tree (§ 28-64)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Fontana?
Fontana's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary fast review with a standard plan and checklist. (Applies to small rooftop home solar systems.) (§ 5-604); Administrative, nondiscretionary fast review with standard checklists. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 5-611).
What are the rules for building in a Fontana flood zone?
Fontana's code: You need a flood zone permit before construction or development starts in any special flood hazard area. (§ 12-36); Fill, construction or other development is banned unless a registered engineer or architect certifies no rise in base flood elevation. (Applies in areas designated as floodways.) (§ 12-43).
What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Fontana?
Fontana's code: 5.0 acres of park land for every 1,000 residents. (The basis for park land dedication and fees for new developments.) (§ 21-84); Applies to developments of over 50 parcels. (These developments must both dedicate park land and pay a fee.) (§ 21-88).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Fontana?
Fontana's code: Construction is allowed from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Weekdays; Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Other hours only with a building inspector permit, for urgent public health and safety work or weekday nights.) (§ 18-63); Building work is allowed 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. (Other hours only for urgent public health and safety work, with a building inspector permit lasting 3 days or less, renewable during the emergency.) (§ 18-63).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Fontana?
Fontana's code: All lights must be aimed and/or shielded so they do not harm neighboring properties. (§ 30-544).
What are the garage sale rules in Fontana?
Fontana's code: No more than 4 city-declared weekends per calendar year. (Per home; the city council sets the weekends by resolution.) (§ 15-2); Yard and garage sales are allowed only from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (§ 15-2).
Can I run a family child care home in Fontana?
California law sets this for every city, including Fontana: 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)).
How many parking spaces does a home need in Fontana?
Fontana's code: Required parking spaces must be in a completely enclosed garage. (Applies to single-family dwellings, including condominiums and townhomes.) (§ 30-688); A three-car garage may be required, unless at least 20 feet of full-height curb is kept between curb cuts. (Applies to dwellings at the end of a cul-de-sac where curb space is short.) (§ 30-688).
What signs may I put up at my home in Fontana?
Fontana's code: Maximum 36 square feet; top of sign no higher than 8 feet above grade. (Applies to temporary noncommercial signs, with the owner's permission; not illuminated.) (§ 3-81); Post no more than 30 days before, remove within 10 days after the event. Political signs skip the 30-day limit. (Applies to temporary noncommercial signs.) (§ 3-81).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Fontana?
Fontana's code: Containers must not remain at the curb more than 12 hours after the time of collection (when placed at the curb) (§ 24-12); Not earlier than 24 hours before collection is scheduled to start. (§ 24-12).
General information, not legal advice.
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