Madera · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Madera

Madera sets its own fence and accessory-building limits for residential (R) zones. Fence limits depend on the yard and on nearness to a street corner.

Ask about building on your lot in Madera See coverage

Key points

Fence height: City rule: R-zone fences are limited to 3 ft in front and street side setbacks, 6 ft in rear and interior side yards.
Accessory buildings: City rule: accessory buildings in R zones are limited to 15 ft.

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

Fences and walls

Madera code City rule: R-zone fences are limited to 3 ft in front and street side setbacks, 6 ft in rear and interior side yards.

All 7 Madera rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Madera code What Madera's code adds
Maximum height	At most 15 feet tall. Applies: For accessory buildings in R zones. § 10-3.510 · code text Accessory buildings 15 feet

Solar panels and EV chargers

Madera code What Madera's code adds
Solar permit process	You can apply electronically by email or online. Applies: Permit applicants for small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 9-4.05 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents by email or the internet shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
Review time	The permit is issued the same day. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar; complete over-the-counter applications that meet the checklist and standard plan. § 9-4.06 · code text The Building Division shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within 1-3 business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan. The permit is issued within 1 to 3 business days. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar; complete electronic applications that meet the checklist and standard plan. § 9-4.06 · code text The Building Division shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within 1-3 business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Swimming pools

Madera code Pools must have a filtration system in good working order. A pool may be emptied or have over 250 gallons drained for maintenance only after notice to Public Works.

All 3 Madera rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Madera code What Madera's code adds
Chickens	Yes; no more than 3 animals (including chickens) at one location, or as set by another ordinance or Planning Commission. Applies: Properties within city limits, excluding properties zoned or used for agricultural or industrial purposes. § 5-1.31 · code text No more than three may be kept at any one location, or as determined by other applicable city ordinance or the Planning Commission.
Large animals	No more than 3 livestock animals (including horses, goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits) per location, in an enclosed pen. Applies: City areas, except property zoned or used for farming or industry. § 5-1.31 · code text No more than three may be kept at any one location, or as determined by other applicable city ordinance or the Planning Commission.

Park and impact fees for new homes

Madera code What Madera's code adds
Exemptions	Exempt: fees already paid in full; remodels or additions to a home; rebuilding a home on the same site. Applies: Capital facilities fee. Rebuilding is exempt only if the old structure was a home within 10 years before the new permit. No other exemptions apply. § 10-8.07 · code text The following activities and actions are exempt from the requirement to pay the capital facilities fee:

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)

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Madera code The alarm must shut off automatically within 30 minutes of first activation. $50 for each false activation.

All 8 Madera rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Signs on homes

Madera code Up to 32 square feet per candidate or issue per site. Remove the sign within 7 days after the election.

All 4 Madera rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

Madera code What Madera's code adds
Where carts are kept	City-provided containers stay at the property where they were delivered. Applies: City-owned containers. § 5-3.20 · code text Containers shall not be removed from the property first delivered.

Other Madera rules on this

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

Noise control (Ch. 3-11)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Madera?

City rule: accessory buildings in R zones are limited to 15 ft.

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Madera?

Madera's code: You can apply electronically by email or online. (Permit applicants for small residential rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 9-4.05); The permit is issued the same day. (Small residential rooftop solar; complete over-the-counter applications that meet the checklist and standard plan.) (§ 9-4.06).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Madera?

Madera's code: Yes; no more than 3 animals (including chickens) at one location, or as set by another ordinance or Planning Commission. (Properties within city limits, excluding properties zoned or used for agricultural or industrial purposes.) (§ 5-1.31).

Can I run a family child care home in Madera?

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

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Madera?

Madera's code: City-provided containers stay at the property where they were delivered. (City-owned containers.) (§ 5-3.20).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Madera property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Madera

Madera Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Madera

Buying & selling in Madera

Foreclosure & auctions in Madera

Madera overview