Lodi · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Lodi
Lodi's city code sets fence heights by location, limits accessory structure height and yard coverage, and controls home businesses. A home business needs a city business license, and many business types are not allowed.
Key points
- Fence height: City code limits fences to 48 inches in the front yard setback and 7 feet at side or rear lot lines.
- Accessory structures: Accessory structures of 120 square feet or less are limited to 8 feet; larger ones follow the zoning district's height limit.
- Home businesses: A home business is limited to one room and 25% of the ground floor; on-site clients are not allowed, with exceptions such as tutoring.
Each rule below is marked Lodi code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Lodi code City code limits fences to 48 inches in the front yard setback and 7 feet at side or rear lot lines.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Lodi code Accessory structures of 120 square feet or less are limited to 8 feet; larger ones follow the zoning district's height limit.
All 5 Lodi rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Lodi code A home business is limited to one room and 25% of the ground floor; on-site clients are not allowed, with exceptions such as tutoring.
All 6 Lodi rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Lodi code Each new lot must be at least 40% of the original lot. At least 40% of the original lot or 1,200 square feet, whichever is greater.
All 8 Lodi rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|---|
| Review time |
|
| Solar permit process |
|
Pets, chickens and bees
| Chickens |
|
|---|
Building in a flood zone
Lodi code A development permit is needed before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. No structure or land may be placed, extended, converted or altered without a development or construction permit first.
All 9 Lodi rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
Lodi code 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Up to 3 consecutive days with 2 sales a year, or up to 6 days with 1 sale a year.
All 4 Lodi 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
Lodi code At least 5% of total indoor floor area must be used for educational, recreational and social facilities. Allowed subject to a use permit.
All 4 Lodi rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Lodi code 1 uncovered guest space for each 5 units. 1 guest parking space for each 10 units.
All 7 Lodi rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Lodi code A false alarm penalty set by Lodi city council resolution applies. An additional false alarm penalty set by the Lodi City Council applies.
All 4 Lodi rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Other Lodi rules on this
Lodi's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Living or sleeping in a camp car or trailer (§ 15.52.170)
- Noise regulation (Ch. 9.24)
- Development impact mitigation fees (Ch. 15.64)
- County facilities fee (§ 15.66.020)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Lodi?
Lodi's code: An inspection is scheduled within 2 business days of a request. (Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.19.080); Administrative review; expedited permit when an application meets checklist and standards with no specific harm to public health or safety. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 15.15.060).
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Lodi?
Lodi's code: Yes, up to 5 poultry in total (hens, ducks, quail), no more than 2 ducks; no male poultry. (Residential lots; rear yard only; for home use, not commercial purposes.) (§ 6.08.025).
Can I run a family child care home in Lodi?
California law sets this for every city, including Lodi: 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.
Ask about a specific Lodi property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question