Fullerton · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Fullerton

Fullerton sets its own setbacks for accessory structures in its R-1, R-1P, R-2 and R-2P zones. They cover patio and porch covers, carports, fireplaces, barbecues and kilns.

Ask about building on your lot in Fullerton See coverage

Key points

Patio covers: In R-1, R-1P, R-2 and R-2P zones, patio covers and carports sit at least 5 feet from rear, 3 feet from residential side lines.
Fireplaces, kilns: In R-1, R-1P, R-2 and R-2P zones, freestanding fireplaces, barbecues and kilns sit at least 5 feet from lines next to residential lots.

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

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Fullerton code What Fullerton's code adds
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from any rear property line; at least 3 feet from side lines next to residential lots. Applies: R-1, R-1P, R-2 and R-2P zones. Patio and porch covers, carports and other open accessory structures, attached or freestanding. § 15.17.050 · code text A patio and porch cover, carport or other non-enclosed accessory structure that is attached to or freestanding from a residence shall be at least five feet from any rear property line and three feet from any side property line that abuts a lot with a residential zone classification. At least 5 feet from a rear or side property line next to a residential lot. Applies: R-1, R-1P, R-2 and R-2P zones. Freestanding fireplaces, barbecue structures and kilns. § 15.17.050 · code text Any freestanding fireplace, barbecue structure or kiln shall be at least five feet from a rear or side property line that abuts a lot with a residential zone classification.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Fullerton code Must be approved if it meets the checklist and standards and has no specific, adverse public health or safety impact. Decision (approved, or a use permit is needed) within 30 days after a complete application.

All 4 Fullerton rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Fullerton code What Fullerton's code adds
Large animals	Horses, cattle, pigs, sheep and goats may not be kept within 50 feet of others' homes; zoning rules also apply. Applies: Applies to equines, bovines, swine, sheep or goats. § 11.36.010 · code text No person shall keep, stable or stake any equine, bovine, swine, sheep or goat within 50 feet of any dwellings or building (other than that of the owner) used principally for human habitation, within the city, or in any manner not permitted by the Fullerton Zoning Ordinance (Title 15 of this code).

Noise and construction hours

Fullerton code What Fullerton's code adds
Noise limit at homes	Noise may not exceed 55 dB(A). Applies: Residential Noise Zone, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., measured indoors. § 15.90.030 · code text \| 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. \| 55 dB(A) \| 55 dB(A) \| Noise may not exceed 55 dB(A). Applies: Residential Noise Zone, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., measured outdoors. § 15.90.030 · code text \| 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. \| 55 dB(A) \| 55 dB(A) \| Noise may not exceed 45 dB(A). Applies: Residential Noise Zone, 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m., measured indoors. § 15.90.030 · code text \| 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. \| 45 dB(A) \| 50 dB(A) \| Noise may not exceed 50 dB(A). Applies: Residential Noise Zone, 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m., measured outdoors. § 15.90.030 · code text \| 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. \| 45 dB(A) \| 50 dB(A) \|

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)

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Fullerton code A fee for each false alarm from the third on, in an amount set by City Council resolution. Each alarm user may have 2 false alarms in a permit year.

All 4 Fullerton rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

Fullerton code What Fullerton's code adds
Required collection service	Either subscribe to solid waste services with a franchisee or register and stay registered as a self-hauler. § 5.14.030 · code text the owner, property manager, tenant and/or person in charge or control of each residential premises and each commercial premises in the city shall either: (1) Subscribe to solid waste handling services with a franchisee for said premises; or (2) Obtain and maintain registration as a self-hauler as set forth in this chapter in connection with said premises. Subscription or self-hauler registration is not required. Applies: Applies to residential premises where all dwelling units are vacant and no solid waste is generated; the owner must show evidence of vacancy. § 5.14.030 · code text The above requirement to provide for solid waste handling services shall not apply in connection with any residential premises at which all dwelling units are vacant
When carts must come back	Remove containers within 12 hours after collection. § 5.14.040 · code text all containers so placed shall be removed from the street or right-of-way within 12 hours after collection.
When carts may go to the curb	Not more than 24 hours before the normal collection time § 5.14.040 · code text No bin, cart, rolloff box or other container shall be placed adjacent to or in a street or public right-of-way for collection service more than 24 hours prior to the normal collection time
Where carts are kept	Store containers out of public view in a side or rear yard or enclosed garage. Applies: Applies to single-family dwellings, except on collection day. § 5.14.040 · code text All containers used for the collection of solid waste at single-family dwellings shall be stored out of public view in a side or rear yard or an enclosed garage except on collection day. Store containers in an area next to the dwelling at the point farthest from the closest street or roadway. Applies: Applies when the dwelling's design, fencing or lack of an enclosed area prevents hiding containers from public view. § 5.14.040 · code text containers shall be stored in an area adjacent to the dwelling at the point farthest from the closest street or roadway or in an enclosure adjacent to the dwelling designed to conform with the exterior design of the dwelling. Store containers in an enclosure next to the dwelling that matches the dwelling's exterior design. Applies: Applies when the dwelling's design, fencing or lack of an enclosed area prevents hiding containers from public view. § 5.14.040 · code text containers shall be stored in an area adjacent to the dwelling at the point farthest from the closest street or roadway or in an enclosure adjacent to the dwelling designed to conform with the exterior design of the dwelling.

Historic homes

Fullerton code Administrative review and approval by the Community and Economic Development Department. Review and approval by the Director of Community and Economic Development as a site plan.

All 8 Fullerton rules on historic homes, with the code text →

Other Fullerton rules on this

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

SB 9 two-unit housing development (§ 15.17.130)
SB 9 urban lot split (§ 16.03.070)
Temporary RV parking permit (§ 8.46.040) — on public streets
Swimming pool drains (§ 14.14.080)
Building in flood zones (§ 14.01.015)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

In R-1, R-1P, R-2 and R-2P zones, patio covers and carports sit at least 5 feet from rear, 3 feet from residential side lines. In R-1, R-1P, R-2 and R-2P zones, freestanding fireplaces, barbecues and kilns sit at least 5 feet from lines next to residential lots.

What are the noise rules and construction hours in Fullerton?

Fullerton's code: Noise may not exceed 55 dB(A). (Residential Noise Zone, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., measured indoors.) (§ 15.90.030); Noise may not exceed 55 dB(A). (Residential Noise Zone, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., measured outdoors.) (§ 15.90.030).

Can I run a family child care home in Fullerton?

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

Fullerton's code: Either subscribe to solid waste services with a franchisee or register and stay registered as a self-hauler. (§ 5.14.030); Subscription or self-hauler registration is not required. (Applies to residential premises where all dwelling units are vacant and no solid waste is generated; the owner must show evidence of vacancy.) (§ 5.14.030).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Fullerton property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Fullerton

Fullerton Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Fullerton

Buying & selling in Fullerton

Property taxes in Fullerton

Fullerton overview

Zoning districts in Fullerton

What you can build where in Fullerton