Grand Terrace · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Grand Terrace
Grand Terrace sets its own limits for fences and accessory buildings and lists businesses that may not run from a home. Fence height depends on the yard and on whether the fence is solid or open.
Key points
- Fence height: Grand Terrace limits front-yard fences to 3 ft if solid or 6 ft if open, like wrought iron; side and rear 8 ft.
- Accessory buildings: City rule: accessory buildings need a 10-foot side and rear setback if one-story nonresidential, and 15 feet if two-story or residential.
- Home businesses: Grand Terrace does not allow beauty shops, massage parlors, vehicle or appliance repair, on-premises sales, or art and music classes as home businesses.
Each rule below is marked Grand Terrace code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Front yard height |
|
|---|---|
| Side and rear yard height |
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Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Size or lot coverage |
|
|---|---|
| Side and rear setback |
|
| Distance from the house |
|
Running a business from home
| Businesses not allowed |
|
|---|
Lot splits under SB 9
Grand Terrace code Neither new parcel may be smaller than 40% of the original lot area. No maximum; standards waived so each unit reaches at least 800 square feet; second unit not larger than main home.
All 11 Grand Terrace rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|---|
| Review time |
|
Pets, chickens and bees
Grand Terrace code Only household pets are allowed, unless the zoning code permits other animals. At most 2 dogs and 2 cats.
All 5 Grand Terrace rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Noise and construction hours
| Quiet hours |
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|---|---|
| Noise limit at homes |
|
Garage and yard sales
Grand Terrace code Garage sales may run only from 7:00 a.m. until sunset. A garage sale may last no more than 3 days in a row.
All 4 Grand Terrace rules on garage and yard sales, 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 |
Group homes and residential care
Grand Terrace code All garage and driveway spaces must always be available for parking vehicles. A Conditional Use Permit is required.
All 5 Grand Terrace rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
|
|---|
Signs on homes
Grand Terrace code 6 square feet per individual sign. 12 square feet total.
All 8 Grand Terrace rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
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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Other Grand Terrace rules on this
Grand Terrace's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Limit on light spilling onto neighbors (§ 18.74.080)
- Development impact fees on new homes (Ch. 4.80)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Grand Terrace?
Grand Terrace limits front-yard fences to 3 ft if solid or 6 ft if open, like wrought iron; side and rear 8 ft.
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Grand Terrace?
City rule: accessory buildings need a 10-foot side and rear setback if one-story nonresidential, and 15 feet if two-story or residential.
Can I run a business from my home in Grand Terrace?
Grand Terrace does not allow beauty shops, massage parlors, vehicle or appliance repair, on-premises sales, or art and music classes as home businesses.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Grand Terrace?
Grand Terrace's code: Within 3 business days over the counter; 5 business days if filed electronically. (Small residential rooftop solar that meets the approved checklist and standard plan.) (§ 15.24.060); The Building Official approves the application and issues all needed permits. (A complete application that meets the city checklist, all applicable laws and health and safety standards.) (§ 15.26.040).
What are the rules for building in a Grand Terrace flood zone?
Grand Terrace's code: You need a development permit before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.62.150); The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 15.62.170).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Grand Terrace?
Grand Terrace's code: Community noise under 65 dBA (Ldn or CNEL) is normally acceptable. (Residential land use.) (§ 8.108.080); Community noise under 60 dBA (Ldn or CNEL) is normally acceptable. (Residential land use, 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) (§ 8.108.080).
Can I run a family child care home in Grand Terrace?
California law sets this for every city, including Grand Terrace: 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 Grand Terrace?
Grand Terrace's code: A service charge. The amount may be set by resolution. (Third or later false alarm at the same address in any 12 consecutive calendar months, when police or fire respond.) (§ 8.20.060).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Grand Terrace?
Grand Terrace's code: Within 12 hours after collection. (§ 5.42.140); No more than 24 hours before the normal collection time. (§ 5.42.140).
General information, not legal advice.
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