Fresno · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Fresno
Fresno sets its own limits for fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard, the fence material and the type of home, and accessory structure height depends on parcel size.
Key points
- Fence height: Fresno limits single-unit home fences in required front yards to 3 ft, or 4 ft for iron 80% open; other yards 6 ft.
- Accessory structures: Fresno limits accessory structures to 12 ft on parcels up to 10,000 sq ft; 16 ft on larger ones 10 ft from all lines.
- Home businesses: Fresno home businesses may use at most 25% of the floor area and 1 nonresident employee; only personal instruction may have client visits.
Each rule below is marked Fresno code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Fresno code Fresno limits single-unit home fences in required front yards to 3 ft, or 4 ft for iron 80% open; other yards 6 ft.
All 9 Fresno rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Fresno code Fresno limits accessory structures to 12 ft on parcels up to 10,000 sq ft; 16 ft on larger ones 10 ft from all lines.
All 7 Fresno rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Fresno code Fresno home businesses may use at most 25% of the floor area and 1 nonresident employee; only personal instruction may have client visits.
All 8 Fresno rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Fresno code Non-permeable surface in a fenced area, or rear or side yard behind a solid wall or fence 5+ feet high. Only in a fully enclosed garage with a non-permeable floor.
All 7 Fresno rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Fresno code At least 36 inches (914 mm) clear on both sides of a horizontal ridge. At least 2 pathways 36 inches (914 mm) wide from lowest roof edge to ridge, on separate roof planes.
All 3 Fresno rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
| Equipment and alarms |
|
|---|---|
| Setback from property lines |
|
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|
Outdoor lighting
Fresno code Light cast onto the property may not exceed 0.5 foot-candle. Light fixtures must be shielded and meet the Cut Off or Full Cut Off standard.
All 3 Fresno rules on outdoor lighting, 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
Fresno code Required parking spaces may not be in the front and street-side setback areas. Parking on driveways does not count toward required parking.
All 19 Fresno rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
|
|---|---|
| Alarm permit |
|
Signs on homes
| Signs that need no permit |
|
|---|
Trash and recycling carts
| Required collection service |
|
|---|
Historic homes
Fresno code More than 50 years. Under 50 years old only if it meets Historic Resource criteria and is of exceptional importance in its historical context.
Other Fresno rules on this
Fresno's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Setback for animal and fowl enclosures (§ 10-203)
- Animal keeping at a home (§ 15-2707)
- Excessive noise (§ 10-105)
- Development impact fees (Ch. 12)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Fresno?
Fresno's code: At least 5 feet from interior side and rear property lines. (Applies to pools, spas and their features; not allowed in front or street-side yards.) (§ 15-2005).
What are the rules for building in a Fresno flood zone?
Fresno's code: You need a building permit before any construction or other development in a special flood hazard area. (Applies within any area of special flood hazard the code sets.) (§ 11-613).
Can I run a family child care home in Fresno?
California law sets this for every city, including Fresno: 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)).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Fresno?
Fresno's code: The fee is the amount set in the Master Fee Resolution for each false alarm. (Applies to each false alarm.) (§ 10-811); Register the alarm system with the Controller within 10 days of a false alarm. (Applies to a subscriber whose alarm system sounds a false alarm.) (§ 10-805).
What signs may I put up at my home in Fresno?
Fresno's code: One address sign is allowed without a permit. (Applies to each residence.) (§ 15-2604).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Fresno?
Fresno's code: Subscribe to solid waste, segregated recyclable materials and organic materials collection service. (§ 6-206).
General information, not legal advice.
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