Fowler · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Fowler

Fowler sets its own limits on fences and accessory structures, and has its own chapter on home occupation permits. Fence height depends on the yard and corner-lot location.

Ask about building on your lot in Fowler See coverage

Key points

Fence height: Fowler limits fences to 42 inches in the required front yard setback and 6 feet in required side and rear setbacks.
Accessory structures: Fowler limits detached accessory structures to 16 feet tall and 600 square feet, unless an Administrative Approval allows more.
Home businesses: Fowler has its own chapter on home occupation permits.

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

Fences and walls

Fowler code Fowler limits fences to 42 inches in the required front yard setback and 6 feet in required side and rear setbacks.

All 9 Fowler rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Fowler code Fowler limits detached accessory structures to 16 feet tall and 600 square feet, unless an Administrative Approval allows more.

All 17 Fowler rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

RV and boat parking

Fowler code Behind the required front or street-side setback inside a solid wall or fence, or in a garage or carport. A solid wall or fence at least 5 feet and no more than 6 feet tall.

All 6 Fowler rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →

Tree removal

Fowler code Emergency removal without a Tree Removal Permit. Yes, a Tree Removal Permit is required to remove or heavily prune any protected private tree.

All 3 Fowler rules on tree removal, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Fowler code What Fowler's code adds
Large animals	Farm animals are allowed only in zones where the zoning code specifically permits them. § 6-1.303 · code text No person shall keep or maintain any farm animals except as follows:
Pet limit	Up to 4 household pets in any mix; no more than 2 may be potbellied pigs. § 6-1.301 · code text The maximum number of household pets allowed in a household or on any premises shall be four (4) animals in any combination. Of those four (4) animals, no more than two (2) may be potbellied pigs. No more than 2 Vietnamese potbellied pigs. Applies: Applies per single-family residence. § 6-1.302 · code text No more than two (2) Vietnamese potbellied pigs shall be permitted at any one single-family residence. Vietnamese potbellied pigs are not allowed. Applies: Applies to multifamily dwellings. § 6-1.302 · code text Pigs are prohibited from any multiple-family dwelling.

Building in a flood zone

Fowler code What Fowler's code adds
Floodplain permit	You need a development permit before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, in any special flood hazard area. § 8-8.13 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 8-8.07.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an A zone. § 8-8.17 · code text In an A zone, elevated to or above the base flood elevation, as determined by this community. The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in flood zones other than A. § 8-8.17 · code text In all other zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation.

Grading and erosion control

Fowler code What Fowler's code adds
Grading without a permit	Exempt: self-contained grading the Building Official finds harmless; permitted basement and footing digs; routine vegetation maintenance. Applies: Work that needs no grading permit. § 8-14.04 · code text A grading permit is not required for the following: (1) When work is limited to grading only in a self-contained area so long as there is no likelihood of: (i) damage to private or public property; (ii) damage to the environment; (iii) effects on fisheries habitat or other aquatic resources; or (iv) runoff concerns or indications of wet areas, as determined by the Building Official.

Park and impact fees for new homes

Fowler code What Fowler's code adds
Exemptions	Exempt: changes that add no floor area, single-family additions that add no unit, and completed structures. Applies: Development fees under this chapter. § 3-8.08 · code text Any owner or developer engaging in development activities which satisfy the following criteria shall not be required to pay the fee: Rebuilding after fire, explosion, act of God or public enemy is exempt if area grows no more than 10 percent. Applies: The home existed when the ordinance was adopted and lost more than 1/2 its value. § 3-8.08 · code text any rebuilding after the date of such destruction shall not be subject to the fee imposed by the chapter provided the area of such structure is not increased by more than ten (10) percent.

Outdoor lighting

Fowler code Pole lights may be no higher than 12 feet. Must be no higher than 8 feet to be exempt from a lighting permit.

All 4 Fowler rules on outdoor lighting, with the code text →

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)

Signs on homes

Fowler code May not be put up earlier than 60 days before the election. Remove within 6 days after the polls close.

All 6 Fowler rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Other Fowler rules on this

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

Home occupation permit (Ch. 9.50)
Unlawful noise (Ch. 21, Art. 6)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Fowler?

Fowler has its own chapter on home occupation permits. Fowler also has a related rule: Home occupation permit (Ch. 9.50).

What are the rules for building in a Fowler flood zone?

Fowler's code: You need a development permit before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, in any special flood hazard area. (§ 8-8.13); The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in an A zone.) (§ 8-8.17).

What are the grading rules in Fowler?

Fowler's code: Exempt: self-contained grading the Building Official finds harmless; permitted basement and footing digs; routine vegetation maintenance. (Work that needs no grading permit.) (§ 8-14.04).

Can I run a family child care home in Fowler?

California law sets this for every city, including Fowler: 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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