Indian Wells · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Indian Wells
Indian Wells sets its own limits for hedges and screen planting and its own rules for home businesses, and has a city section on accessory structures. Hedge height depends on the distance from the curb.
Key points
- Hedges: Indian Wells limits hedges by single-family lots to 3 ft in the first 10 ft of front and street side setbacks; 9 ft elsewhere.
- Home businesses: Indian Wells home businesses may use 25% of the main dwelling and at most 1 room; only occupants may work there.
- Accessory structures: Indian Wells has a city section on accessory structures on residential lots.
Each rule below is marked Indian Wells code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Indian Wells code Indian Wells limits hedges by single-family lots to 3 ft in the first 10 ft of front and street side setbacks; 9 ft elsewhere.
All 3 Indian Wells rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Indian Wells code Indian Wells home businesses may use 25% of the main dwelling and at most 1 room; only occupants may work there.
All 4 Indian Wells rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Indian Wells code RV parking or storage is allowed only fully inside an enclosed structure approved by the Design Review Committee. Only on legal driveways or where a legal garage is or could be built.
All 7 Indian Wells rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Indian Wells code The permit can be issued once the application meets all checklist requirements. Administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review with standard plans and checklists.
All 3 Indian Wells rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
Indian Wells code No more than 2 inches of clearance at the bottom of the barrier. Bottom clearance may be up to 4 inches.
All 16 Indian Wells rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Building on a hillside
| Grading and retaining walls |
|
|---|
Noise and construction hours
Indian Wells code 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.
All 12 Indian Wells rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
Indian Wells code Tree-mounted lights may be no more than 12 feet above the ground. Fully shielded where feasible, partly shielded otherwise, and arranged to prevent glare, reflection or interference with streets or property.
All 3 Indian Wells rules on outdoor lighting, 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 |
Signs on homes
Indian Wells code Remove within 10 days following the date of the election. One sign per lot or corner lot. A fairway lot may have 2: one front yard, one rear yard.
All 9 Indian Wells rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Other Indian Wells rules on this
Indian Wells's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Accessory structures on residential lots (§ 21.20.090)
- Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 20.72.070)
- Two-unit projects (SB 9) (§ 21.20.015)
- Regional transportation fee on new development (Ch. 3.23)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Indian Wells?
Indian Wells has a city section on accessory structures on residential lots. Indian Wells also has a related rule: Accessory structures on residential lots (§ 21.20.090).
What are the rules for building in an Indian Wells flood zone?
Indian Wells's code: A development permit is required before construction or development begins in any special flood hazard area. (§ 16.36.170); The lowest floor, including a basement, must be at or above the flood elevation. (New buildings and substantial improvements; nonresidential buildings may be floodproofed instead.) (§ 16.36.120).
What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Indian Wells?
Indian Wells's code: No grading of land with a slope of 20% or more, except at the City Council's specific discretion. (Designated hillside areas.) (§ 22.04.092).
Can I run a family child care home in Indian Wells?
California law sets this for every city, including Indian Wells: 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)).
General information, not legal advice.
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