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Hanford · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Hanford

Hanford sets its own limits for fences, accessory structures in setback areas, and home businesses. Fence height depends on the lot line, how open the fence is, and how far it stands from the front lot line.

Ask about building on your lot in Hanford See coverage

Key points

  • Fence height: In Hanford's residential zones, front-line fences are limited to 3 ft, or 4 ft if the top foot is at least 50% open.
  • Accessory structures: In Hanford's rear or side setbacks, accessory structures are limited to 120 sq ft and a 10-ft roof peak, 3 ft from lines.
  • Home businesses: Hanford home businesses need a permit; barbershops, salons, massage, pet grooming, vehicle repair and medical offices are not allowed.
  • Rear and side fences: Hanford's residential zones limit fences along rear lot lines and interior side lines (from 10 ft behind the front line) to 7 ft.

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

Fences and walls

Hanford code In Hanford's residential zones, front-line fences are limited to 3 ft, or 4 ft if the top foot is at least 50% open. Hanford's residential zones limit fences along rear lot lines and interior side lines (from 10 ft behind the front line) to 7 ft.

All 10 Hanford rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Hanford code What Hanford's code adds
Maximum height
  • Roof ridge no higher than 10 feet.
    Applies: For accessory structures in a required rear or side setback area. The plate line may be at most 7 feet.
    § 17.38.100 · code text
    The roof ridge peak height shall be a maximum of 10 feet.
Size or lot coverage
  • Floor area of no more than 120 square feet.
    Applies: For accessory structures in a required rear or side setback area.
    § 17.38.100 · code text
    The floor area shall be a maximum 120 square feet.
Side and rear setback
  • Walls at least 3 feet from rear and side lot lines.
    Applies: For accessory structures in a required rear or side setback area.
    § 17.38.100 · code text
    The walls shall be at least three feet from rear and side lot lines.
  • Roof eaves at least 2 feet from rear and side lot lines.
    Applies: For accessory structures in a required rear or side setback area.
    § 17.38.100 · code text
    The roof eaves shall be at least two feet from rear and side lot lines.
Distance from the house
  • At least 10 feet from other structures.
    Applies: For accessory structures in a required rear or side setback area.
    § 17.38.100 · code text
    The accessory structure shall be separated from other structures by a minimum of 10 feet.

Running a business from home

Hanford code What Hanford's code adds
Permit
  • A home occupation permit.
    § 17.78.040 · code text
    A home occupation permit may be denied if the Community Development Director finds that land use proposed for a home occupation is listed in this section, or that there is substantial evidence that the land use will create a significant impact to the environment.
Businesses not allowed
  • Barbershop, hair salon, nail care, massage therapy, or day spa
    § 17.78.040 · code text
    1. Barbershop, hair salon, nail care, massage therapy, or day spa;
  • Fortune telling
    § 17.78.040 · code text
    2. Fortune telling;
  • Kennel or animal boarding
    § 17.78.040 · code text
    3. Kennel or animal boarding;
  • Laboratory, general or medical
    § 17.78.040 · code text
    4. Laboratory, general or medical;
  • Mini-warehouse or self-storage facility
    § 17.78.040 · code text
    5. Mini-warehouse or self-storage facility;
  • Motor vehicle repair or service, minor or major
    § 17.78.040 · code text
    6. Motor vehicle repair or service, minor or major;
  • Office; medical, dental, or optometry
    § 17.78.040 · code text
    7. Office; medical, dental, or optometry;
  • Pet grooming
    § 17.78.040 · code text
    8. Pet grooming;
  • Repair shop, large appliance or equipment
    § 17.78.040 · code text
    9. Repair shop, large appliance or equipment;
  • Specialty construction or trade service where construction activities take place at the site
    § 17.78.040 · code text
    10. Specialty construction or trade service where construction activities take place at the site;
  • Tattooing or body art
    § 17.78.040 · code text
    11. Tattooing or body art;

RV and boat parking

Hanford code Only in an enclosed side or rear yard, or in a garage or carport. Only in or next to a driveway, when the side or rear yard cannot be reached.

All 3 Hanford rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Hanford code Administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review; only one inspection. Electronic submittal by email, internet or fax is available.

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

Pets, chickens and bees

Hanford code No, bees are not allowed. Yes, at most 3 chickens.

All 8 Hanford rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Hanford code What Hanford's code adds
Floodplain permit
  • You need a development permit before any construction or development starts in a special flood hazard area.
    Applies: Within any special flood hazard area.
    § 15.52.130 · code text
    A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.52.070.
Building in a floodway
  • Fill and new development are not allowed unless an engineer or architect certifies no rise in base flood elevation.
    Applies: Areas designated as floodways.
    § 15.52.220 · code text
    Prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development unless certification by a registered professional engineer or architect is provided demonstrating that encroachments shall not result in any increase in (the base) flood elevation during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor
  • The lowest floor must be above the highest nearby ground, at least as high as the FIRM depth number.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone, when the FIRM gives a depth number.
    § 15.52.170 · 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, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified.
  • The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the highest nearby ground.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone when no depth number is given.
    § 15.52.170 · code text
    elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent 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 A zone.
    § 15.52.170 · code text
    In an A zone, elevated to or above the base flood elevation, as determined by this community.
  • The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation.
    Applies: New or substantially improved homes in all zones other than A or AO.
    § 15.52.170 · code text
    In all other zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation.

Grading and erosion control

Hanford code What Hanford's code adds
Grading without a permit
  • Small digs and fills of 50 cubic yards or less need no permit, within depth, slope and drainage limits.
    Applies: Ground slope under 20%; digs under 2 feet deep; fills 1 foot high or less; faces 2:1 or flatter; erosion must still be minimized.
    § 15.55.060 · code text
    a. The quantity of soil removed or disturbed is 50 cubic yards or less. b. The depth of the excavation is less than two feet on ground sloping less than 20%. c. The slope of the cut face is two feet horizontal to one foot vertical or less.

Outdoor lighting

Hanford code What Hanford's code adds
Fixture height
  • Freestanding light fixtures may be at most 18 feet tall.
    Applies: R-L, R-M, R-H and OR zones; measured from the top of the fixture to the ground at its base.
    § 17.50.140 · code text
    Freestanding light fixtures, including freestanding parking lot light fixtures, shall not exceed 18 feet in height measured from the top of a light fixture to the adjacent grade at the base of the support for that light fixture.
Shielding
  • Lights must be placed, aimed or shielded to limit light crossing property lines or going into the sky.
    Applies: All lights and fixtures except public street lights.
    § 17.50.140 · code text
    All lights and light fixtures, except public street lights, shall be located, aimed or shielded so as to minimize light trespassing across property boundaries or skyward.
  • Mercury vapor lamps must be fully shielded, with all light kept on site.
    Applies: R-L, R-M, R-H and OR zones.
    § 17.50.140 · code text
    Mercury vapor lamps shall be a fully shielded fixture with all light directed on site.

Garage and yard sales

Hanford code What Hanford's code adds
How long a sale may last
  • Each garage sale may last no more than 2 days in a row.
    Applies: Each sale at a home in the R-L, R-M, R-H or OR zones.
    § 17.60.080 · code text
    Commonly referred to as garage sales, such each sale shall be limited to two consecutive days and unsold possessions shall be removed from the public view and stored within the premises.
Sales per year
  • No more than 2 garage sales per year.
    Applies: Per home in the R-L, R-M, R-H or OR zones.
    § 17.60.080 · code text
    The sale of personal possessions in outdoor areas or from the garage of a dwelling within an R-L, R-M, R-H, or OR zone district shall be limited to no more than two such sales per year.
Signs
  • All signs must be removed when the sale ends.
    § 17.60.080 · code text
    The driveway, yard, or other space used for the purposes of the sale shall be restored to its normal residential character at the conclusion of the sale, including removal of all signs.

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)

Parking spaces required for homes

Hanford code At least 1 space must be covered (garage or carport). 50% of the spaces must be covered parking.

All 10 Hanford rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Hanford code $50. $75.

All 6 Hanford rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Signs on homes

Hanford code What Hanford's code adds
Signs that need no permit
  • 1 nameplate per residence, at most 2 square feet, identifying owner or address.
    Applies: Nameplate mounted on a wall.
    § 17.56.040 · code text
    One nameplate per residence or business premises, mounted on a wall and not exceeding two square feet in area, identifying the owner and/or address of the property.
  • Signs in a private area not accessible to the public and not visible from the public right-of-way.
    Applies: Private area of a lot, such as a backyard.
    § 17.56.040 · code text
    Signs located on a private area of a lot that is not accessible by the general public, such as a backyard, and are not visible from the public right-of-way.

Other Hanford rules on this

Hanford'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 big can a shed or accessory building be in Hanford?

In Hanford's rear or side setbacks, accessory structures are limited to 120 sq ft and a 10-ft roof peak, 3 ft from lines.

Can I run a business from my home in Hanford?

Hanford home businesses need a permit; barbershops, salons, massage, pet grooming, vehicle repair and medical offices are not allowed.

What are the rules for building in a Hanford flood zone?

Hanford's code: You need a development permit before any construction or development starts in a special flood hazard area. (Within any special flood hazard area.) (§ 15.52.130); The lowest floor must be above the highest nearby ground, at least as high as the FIRM depth number. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone, when the FIRM gives a depth number.) (§ 15.52.170).

What are the grading rules in Hanford?

Hanford's code: Small digs and fills of 50 cubic yards or less need no permit, within depth, slope and drainage limits. (Ground slope under 20%; digs under 2 feet deep; fills 1 foot high or less; faces 2:1 or flatter; erosion must still be minimized.) (§ 15.55.060).

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Hanford?

Hanford's code: Lights must be placed, aimed or shielded to limit light crossing property lines or going into the sky. (All lights and fixtures except public street lights.) (§ 17.50.140); Freestanding light fixtures may be at most 18 feet tall. (R-L, R-M, R-H and OR zones; measured from the top of the fixture to the ground at its base.) (§ 17.50.140).

What are the garage sale rules in Hanford?

Hanford's code: No more than 2 garage sales per year. (Per home in the R-L, R-M, R-H or OR zones.) (§ 17.60.080); All signs must be removed when the sale ends. (§ 17.60.080).

Can I run a family child care home in Hanford?

California law sets this for every city, including Hanford: 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)).

What signs may I put up at my home in Hanford?

Hanford's code: 1 nameplate per residence, at most 2 square feet, identifying owner or address. (Nameplate mounted on a wall.) (§ 17.56.040); Signs in a private area not accessible to the public and not visible from the public right-of-way. (Private area of a lot, such as a backyard.) (§ 17.56.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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