Fresno County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Fresno County
Fresno County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. There it sets permit rules for small residential rooftop solar systems and electric vehicle charging stations.
Key points
- Rooftop solar: Expedited county permits cover rooftop solar up to 10 kW AC or 30 kW thermal on single or duplex homes within zone height limits.
- EV chargers: The county issues EV charger permits when the application meets its checklist; inspection approval is required before the station is energized or used.
Each rule below is marked Fresno County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fresno County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in Fresno County have their own codes and their own pages.
Solar panels and EV chargers
Fresno County code Expedited county permits cover rooftop solar up to 10 kW AC or 30 kW thermal on single or duplex homes within zone height limits. The county issues EV charger permits when the application meets its checklist; inspection approval is required before the station is energized or used.
All 5 Fresno County rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
| Grading without a permit |
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Noise and construction hours
| Noise limit at homes |
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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 |
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| 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 |
Other Fresno County rules on this
Fresno County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Flood hazard areas (Ch. 15.48)
- Public facilities impact fees (Ch. 17.90)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the grading rules in Fresno County?
Fresno County's code: Fill up to 50 cubic yards/lot, no structures; under 1 foot below 20% slope or 3 feet if flat. (It must not block a drainage course; a Grading Voucher may still be required.) (§ 15.28.020).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Fresno County?
Fresno County's code: Noise may not exceed 50 dBA. (Outdoors, Category 1, daytime 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; for more than 30 minutes in total in any hour.) (§ 8.40.040); Noise may not exceed 45 dBA. (Outdoors, Category 1, nighttime 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.; for more than 30 minutes in total in any hour.) (§ 8.40.040).
Can I run a family child care home in Fresno County?
California law sets this for every city, including Fresno County: 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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