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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

Grand Terrace code What Grand Terrace's code adds
Front yard height
  • At most 3 feet above the ground.
    Applies: For a solid fence or wall in a front yard.
    § 18.73.070 · code text
    The maximum height of a solid fence or wall shall be three feet above the surface of the ground;
  • At most 6 feet above the ground.
    Applies: For an open-design fence or wall, such as wrought iron, in a front yard.
    § 18.73.070 · code text
    The maximum height of an open designed fence or wall such as a wrought iron fence shall be six feet from the surface of the ground;
Side and rear yard height
  • At most 8 feet above the ground.
    Applies: For any fence or wall, solid or not, in side and rear yards.
    § 18.73.070 · code text
    The maximum height of a fence or wall, solid or otherwise shall be eight feet from the surface of the ground.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Grand Terrace code What Grand Terrace's code adds
Size or lot coverage
  • Accessory buildings may cover no more than 10% of the rear yard.
    § 18.56.070 · code text
    Accessory buildings shall not occupy more than ten percent of the rear yard.
Side and rear setback
  • At least 10 feet.
    Applies: For 1-story accessory buildings not used as living space.
    § 18.56.070 · code text
    Ten feet for one-story nonresidential accessory buildings.
  • At least 15 feet.
    Applies: For 2-story accessory buildings not used as living space, and for 1- or 2-story buildings used as living space.
    § 18.56.070 · code text
    Fifteen feet for two-story nonresidential accessory buildings and one-or two-story buildings used for residential purposes.
Distance from the house
  • At least 15 feet from the main buildings.
    § 18.56.070 · code text
    Accessory buildings shall be a minimum of 15 feet from the main buildings

Running a business from home

Grand Terrace code What Grand Terrace's code adds
Businesses not allowed
  • Beauty shops, massage parlors, private clubs, dance studios and dating services
    Applies: any residential zone
    § 5.06.013 · code text
    Beauty shops, massage parlors, private clubs, dance studios and dating services;
  • The repair or construction of motor vehicles and appliances, machine shops and cabinet shops
    Applies: any residential zone
    § 5.06.013 · code text
    The repair or construction of motor vehicles and appliances, machine shops and cabinet shops;
  • On-premises sales and vending
    Applies: any residential zone
    § 5.06.013 · code text
    On-premises sales and vending;
  • Art and music classes
    Applies: any residential zone
    § 5.06.013 · code text
    Art and music classes.

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

Grand Terrace code What Grand Terrace's code adds
EV charger permit
  • The Building Official approves the application and issues all needed permits.
    Applies: A complete application that meets the city checklist, all applicable laws and health and safety standards.
    § 15.26.040 · code text
    the Building Official shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, approve the application and issue all necessary permits.
  • Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted.
    § 15.26.040 · code text
    the Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications and associated supporting documentations.
Review time
  • Within 3 business days over the counter; 5 business days if filed electronically.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar that meets the approved checklist and standard plan.
    § 15.24.060 · code text
    the Building Department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit within three business days for over-the-counter applications

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

Grand Terrace code What Grand Terrace's code adds
Floodplain permit
  • You need a development permit before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area.
    § 15.62.150 · code text
    A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any of special flood hazard areas established in accordance with its definition in Section 15.62.070.
Building in a floodway
  • No new development or fill is allowed unless all development together raises the base flood no more than 1 foot.
    Applies: Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, in Zones A1-30 and AE.
    § 15.62.220 · code text
    Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones A1-30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the City.
  • Fill, new buildings and other development are not allowed unless a civil engineer certifies no rise in flood levels.
    Applies: Within an adopted regulatory floodway.
    § 15.62.220 · code text
    Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the City shall prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development, unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating that the proposed encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor
  • The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.
    § 15.62.170 · code text
    In AE, AH, A1-30 Zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation.
  • The lowest floor must be above the highest nearby ground by at least the FIRM depth number.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with a depth number.
    § 15.62.170 · code text
    In an AO Zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM
  • The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the highest nearby natural ground.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone when the FIRM gives no depth number.
    § 15.62.170 · code text
    or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent natural grade if no depth number is specified.
  • The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone, where the FIRM shows no base flood elevation.
    § 15.62.170 · code text
    In an A Zone, without base flood elevation's specified on the FIRM [unnumbered A zone], elevated to or above the base flood elevation

Noise and construction hours

Grand Terrace code What Grand Terrace's code adds
Quiet hours
  • Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
    Applies: Listed noises such as loud radios and TVs, barking animals, loud equipment near homes, and truck loading.
    § 8.108.070 · code text
    The following noises are prohibited and declared to be nuisances between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. shall include but not be limited to the following, unless otherwise states in a conditional use permit or site and architectural review permit:
Noise limit at homes
  • Community noise under 65 dBA (Ldn or CNEL) is normally acceptable.
    Applies: Residential land use.
    § 8.108.080 · code text
    | Residential | Normally Acceptable | <65 |
  • Community noise under 60 dBA (Ldn or CNEL) is normally acceptable.
    Applies: Residential land use, 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
    § 8.108.080 · code text
    | Residential (Evening)* 11:00 p.m.—7:00 a.m. | Normally Acceptable | <60 |

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

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
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

Grand Terrace code What Grand Terrace's code adds
False alarm fees
  • A service charge. The amount may be set by resolution.
    Applies: Third or later false alarm at the same address in any 12 consecutive calendar months, when police or fire respond.
    § 8.20.060 · code text
    There shall be a service charge, which may be set forth by resolution, assessed against the following persons and under the following circumstances: Against the alarm user when a police or fire response occurs as a result of a third or subsequent false alarm from an alarm system at the same address or location within any twelve-consecutive-calendar-month period.

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

Grand Terrace code What Grand Terrace's code adds
When carts must come back
  • Within 12 hours after collection.
    § 5.42.140 · code text
    Containers shall be removed from the street or right-of-way location within 12 hours after collection.
When carts may go to the curb
  • No more than 24 hours before the normal collection time.
    § 5.42.140 · code text
    No container shall be placed adjacent to a street or public right-of-way for collection service more than twenty-four hours prior to the normal collection time.
Where carts are kept
  • A suitable place readily accessible to the collector.
    § 5.42.130 · code text
    It is the duty of every person designated under Section 5.42.050 in possession, charge or control of any place within the City, in or from which refuse accumulates or is produced, to keep in a suitable place readily accessible to the collector, containers capable of holding without spilling, all refuse which would ordinarily accumulate on the premises between the time of two successive collections.

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.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

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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