Indio · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Indio

Indio sets its own limits for fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Fence height depends on the setback and on how open the upper part is, and accessory structure height depends on size and type.

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Key points

Fence height: Indio limits front-setback fences to 3 ft, or 4 ft if 50% open above; interior side and rear 6 ft, 7 ft with lattice.
Accessory structures: Indio limits detached garages to 14 ft and accessory buildings over 80 sq ft to 20 ft, 5 ft from rear and side lines.
Home businesses: Indio home businesses need a home occupation permit and a city business license.

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

Fences and walls

Indio code Indio limits front-setback fences to 3 ft, or 4 ft if 50% open above; interior side and rear 6 ft, 7 ft with lattice.

All 8 Indio rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Indio code Indio limits detached garages to 14 ft and accessory buildings over 80 sq ft to 20 ft, 5 ft from rear and side lines.

All 9 Indio rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

Indio code What Indio's code adds
Permit	A home occupation permit and a city business license are required. § 4.15.03 · code text No home occupation shall be permitted unless the Director certifies that it conforms to the home occupation regulations of this Chapter and application for such permit shall be made pursuant to Section 6.03.03 (Application Forms and Fees, and Reapplications). In addition, all home occupations must obtain a City business license to operate.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Indio code Expedited nondiscretionary permit, issued when the charger meets state and federal safety rules; apply in person, mail or electronically. Nondiscretionary permit for a complete application meeting the standard plan and checklist; 1 inspection, scheduled within 2 business days.

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

Swimming pools

Indio code What Indio's code adds
Equipment and alarms	Equipment at least 3 feet from interior side and rear lines and 10 feet from neighbor's living area, unless soundproof-enclosed. Applies: Applies to pool and spa equipment. It may not sit in any required setback next to a public street. § 3.02.05 · code text All pool and spa filter, heating, and maintenance systems and equipment shall not be located within any required setback adjacent to a public street, or within three feet of an interior side or rear property line, or within 10 feet of the living area of any dwelling unit on an adjacent parcel unless located completely within a soundproof enclosure.
Setback from property lines	At least 10 feet from the street side property line. Applies: Applies to lots not enclosed by a masonry subdivision perimeter wall. § 3.02.05 · code text The outside wall of the water-containing portion of any swimming pool or spa shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from the street side property line. At least 5 feet from the street side property line. Applies: Applies to lots enclosed by a masonry subdivision perimeter wall. § 3.02.05 · code text Where the lot is enclosed by a masonry subdivision perimeter wall, the street side setback is five feet. At least 5 feet from interior side and rear property lines. Applies: Applies to the water-containing wall of a pool or spa. § 3.02.05 · code text The outside wall of the water-containing portion of any swimming pool or spa shall be located a minimum of five feet from the interior side and rear property lines.

Pets, chickens and bees

Indio code Hives in rear yards, or interior side yards in DE-1 and DET-3; at least 20 feet from any property line. Up to 5 poultry and rabbits combined.

All 6 Indio rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Indio code What Indio's code adds
Floodplain permit	A development permit is needed before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes. Applies: In any special flood hazard area. § 153.12 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in § 153.07.
Building in a floodway	No new building or development, including fill, unless all development combined raises base flood level no more than 1 foot. Applies: Zones A1-30 and AE, until a regulatory floodway is adopted; measured at any point in the city. § 153.18 · 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. No fill, construction, substantial improvement or development unless a registered civil engineer certifies no flood level rise. Applies: Inside an adopted regulatory floodway. § 153.18 · 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. § 153.13 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 Zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. At least the FIRM depth number, in feet, above the highest nearby grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone when the FIRM gives a depth number. § 153.13 · 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. At least 2 feet above the highest nearby grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone when the FIRM gives no depth number. § 153.13 · 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 or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone with no base flood elevation on the FIRM. § 153.13 · code text In an A Zone, without BFE's specified on the FIRM [unnumbered A Zone], elevated to or above the base flood elevation; as determined under § 153.31(C).

Grading and erosion control

Indio code A grading permit is needed to stockpile or place more than 50 cubic yards of earth on a property. Fill slopes may be no steeper than 2:1.

All 3 Indio rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →

Park and impact fees for new homes

Indio code The fee is set by the City Council. A project-specific Quimby fee may be set by a fair market appraisal from a California-licensed real estate appraiser.

All 5 Indio rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →

Outdoor lighting

Indio code Outdoor light color temperature may not exceed 3,000 Kelvins. No more than 16 feet tall.

All 5 Indio rules on outdoor lighting, with the code text →

Garage and yard sales

Indio code 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A permit is good for 2 days in a row.

All 9 Indio 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 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

Indio code What Indio's code adds
Parking in the front yard	Parking may not be in a required front or street-facing side yard. Driveways may count toward required parking. Applies: Single-family detached residential uses. § 3.03.07 · code text For single-family detached residential uses, parking shall not be located within a required front or street-facing side yard, however driveways may count towards required residential parking. Parking is permitted only in the approved driveway. Applies: Single-family residential uses. § 3.03.07 · code text For single-family residential uses, parking is only permitted in the approved driveway. Parking areas may not be expanded with paved areas in the front, side or rear yards. Applies: Residential uses. § 3.03.07 · code text There shall be no expansion of parking areas through the addition of paved areas in the front, side, or rear yards.

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Indio code An administrative citation applies. The amount is set by City Council resolution. The first false alarm at a site in a 12-month period draws no citation.

All 5 Indio rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Signs on homes

Indio code What Indio's code adds
Other temporary signs	Remove within 14 calendar days after the sign's purpose ends. Applies: Portable and temporary signs. § 3.05.07 · code text All portable and temporary signs must be removed within 14 calendar days after the conclusion of the purpose served by the sign.

Other Indio rules on this

Indio's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Noise control rules (Ch. 95C)
SB 9 two-unit developments (§ 4.28.03) — single-family residential zones only
SB 9 urban lot splits (§ 5.19.03) — single-family residential zones only

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Indio?

Indio home businesses need a home occupation permit and a city business license.

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Indio?

Indio's code: At least 10 feet from the street side property line. (Applies to lots not enclosed by a masonry subdivision perimeter wall.) (§ 3.02.05); At least 5 feet from the street side property line. (Applies to lots enclosed by a masonry subdivision perimeter wall.) (§ 3.02.05).

What are the rules for building in an Indio flood zone?

Indio's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes. (In any special flood hazard area.) (§ 153.12); The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 153.13).

Can I run a family child care home in Indio?

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

How many parking spaces does a home need in Indio?

Indio's code: Parking may not be in a required front or street-facing side yard. Driveways may count toward required parking. (Single-family detached residential uses.) (§ 3.03.07); Parking is permitted only in the approved driveway. (Single-family residential uses.) (§ 3.03.07).

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

Indio's code: Remove within 14 calendar days after the sign's purpose ends. (Portable and temporary signs.) (§ 3.05.07).

General information, not legal advice.

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