Gustine · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Gustine
Gustine sets its own limits for fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the setback the fence stands in and on how open its upper part is.
Key points
- Fence height: Gustine limits fences to 3 ft in front setbacks; side or rear setbacks 7 ft, or 8 ft if open above 6 ft.
- Accessory structures: Gustine limits detached accessory structures other than garages to 12 ft and requires at least 10 ft between them and the house.
- Home businesses: Gustine home businesses may have at most 6 vehicle trips a day and 1 client or family at a time, with no nonresident employees.
Each rule below is marked Gustine code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Gustine code Gustine limits fences to 3 ft in front setbacks; side or rear setbacks 7 ft, or 8 ft if open above 6 ft.
All 5 Gustine rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Gustine code Gustine limits detached accessory structures other than garages to 12 ft and requires at least 10 ft between them and the house.
All 10 Gustine rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Gustine code Gustine home businesses may have at most 6 vehicle trips a day and 1 client or family at a time, with no nonresident employees.
All 4 Gustine rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Gustine code RVs and boats go in the interior side or rear yard setback. Inside an enclosed structure or carport.
All 7 Gustine rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|---|
| Solar permit process |
|
Pets, chickens and bees
Gustine code No, bees are not allowed. No, chickens are not allowed.
All 6 Gustine rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
| How long a sale may last |
|
|---|---|
| Sales per year |
|
| Signs |
|
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
| Where allowed |
|
|---|
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
|
|---|---|
| False alarms before a fee |
|
| Alarm permit |
|
Other Gustine rules on this
Gustine's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Noise standards (§ 4-30-050)
- Regional transportation impact fee (Ch. 10-4)
- Public facility impact fee (Ch. 4-7)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Gustine?
Gustine's code: Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are allowed as resources permit. (Small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 4-4-186); The building official approves an application meeting the city checklist and issues all needed permits. (Electric vehicle charging stations; the station may not be energized or used until the city approves it.) (§ 4-8-4).
What are the garage sale rules in Gustine?
Gustine's code: No more than 3 yard sales per 12 months. (Per property.) (§ 5-7-4); Signs on sale days only; not on utility poles, street signs or street trees; remove within 2 days after sale. (§ 5-7-5).
Can I run a family child care home in Gustine?
California law sets this for every city, including Gustine: 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)).
Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in Gustine?
Gustine's code: Allowed in the same zones as other residential dwellings of the same type. (§ 4-44-230).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Gustine?
Gustine's code: The fee is set by city council resolution. (Applies to the fourth and later false alarm by an alarm system in 12 consecutive months.) (§ 7-2-4); Three false alarms in 12 consecutive months; the fourth and later carry a fee. (§ 7-2-4).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Gustine property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question