Hemet · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Hemet
Hemet sets its own limits for fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard and on how open the fence is, and accessory structure height depends on the type and distance from lot lines.
Key points
- Fence height: Hemet limits solid front-setback fences to 42 in, or 72 in if 75% open above 42 in; interior and rear lines 72 in.
- Accessory structures: Hemet limits garages and carports to 20 ft, sheds and gazebos to 15 ft; within 5 ft of side or rear lines, 8 ft.
- Home businesses: Hemet home businesses may use 25% of the floor area, with no nonresident employees; teaching is limited to 3 students per session, 6 daily.
Each rule below is marked Hemet code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Hemet code Hemet limits solid front-setback fences to 42 in, or 72 in if 75% open above 42 in; interior and rear lines 72 in.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Hemet code Hemet limits garages and carports to 20 ft, sheds and gazebos to 15 ft; within 5 ft of side or rear lines, 8 ft.
All 7 Hemet rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Hemet code Hemet home businesses may use 25% of the floor area, with no nonresident employees; teaching is limited to 3 students per session, 6 daily.
All 6 Hemet rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Hemet code The building official approves and issues permits when the application meets the city checklist, laws, and health and safety standards. Electronic applications and electronic signatures are allowed.
All 5 Hemet rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Hemet code Up to 2 bee colonies. Up to 4 bee colonies.
All 8 Hemet rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Building in a floodway |
|
|---|---|
| Height of the lowest floor |
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Grading and erosion control
Hemet code An erosion and sediment control plan is required. Cuts up to 50 cubic yards: under 2 feet, or no slope over 5 feet high and steeper than 2:1.
All 3 Hemet rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
Hemet code Graded slopes may be no steeper than 2:1 (50%). Graded slopes may be no more than 30 feet high between terraces or benches.
All 7 Hemet rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
Hemet code No signs on public property or rights-of-way, or on other lots except neighbors' with owner permission. Signs go up no more than 2 days before the sale; remove by 8:00 p.m. on its last day.
All 5 Hemet 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
Hemet code A conditional use permit is required. A small group home permit is required.
All 5 Hemet rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Hemet code All spaces must be covered, in a garage or carport. All spaces must be covered, in a garage or carport.
All 11 Hemet rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
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|---|---|
| When a permit can be revoked |
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Signs on homes
Hemet code 1 temporary freestanding campaign sign for each political candidate or issue on each street frontage. At most 6 square feet in total area per face.
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 Hemet rules on this
Hemet's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Unhitched trailers not allowed on streets or driveways (Sec. 78-154)
- General noise rule (Sec. 53-4)
- Capital facility impact fees (Ch. 58, Art. III, Div. 1)
- Traffic signal fee (Ch. 66, Art. VII)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules for building in a Hemet flood zone?
Hemet's code: At least the FIRM depth number, in feet, above the highest nearby grade. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone when the FIRM gives a depth number.) (§ 14-276); At least 2 feet above the highest nearby grade. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with no depth number given.) (§ 14-276).
Can I run a family child care home in Hemet?
California law sets this for every city, including Hemet: 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 Hemet?
Hemet's code: A penalty for each false alarm. The council sets the amount by resolution. (§ 18-91); 5 false alarms. (Within the previous 12 months.) (§ 18-87).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Hemet?
Hemet's code: Remove containers within 24 hours after collection. (§ 62-11); No earlier than 24 hours before the normal collection time. (Containers placed in a public right-of-way.) (§ 62-11).
General information, not legal advice.
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