Martinez · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Martinez
Martinez sets its own fence heights and accessory-structure limits. Fence limits depend on the yard, nearness to a street intersection, slope and district.
Key points
- Fence height: City rule: fences limited to 3½ ft in required front yards, 6 ft outside; R-district front yards with 20%+ downslope allow 6 ft.
- Accessory structures: City rule: accessory structures are limited to 1 story or 15 ft (higher with a use permit) and 1,000 sq ft each.
Each rule below is marked Martinez code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Martinez code City rule: fences limited to 3½ ft in required front yards, 6 ft outside; R-district front yards with 20%+ downslope allow 6 ft.
All 7 Martinez rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Martinez code City rule: accessory structures are limited to 1 story or 15 ft (higher with a use permit) and 1,000 sq ft each.
All 5 Martinez rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Martinez code Neither new parcel may be smaller than 40% of the original parcel area. At least 1,200 square feet.
All 15 Martinez rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Martinez code Apply in person, by mail or electronically. Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a permit issues for a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plan.
All 4 Martinez rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Martinez code No building permits or use of the property for 2 years; the city may also stop work. Yes, a tree permit is required.
Swimming pools
Martinez code Openings, holes or gaps no larger than 4 inches across. The gap between the ground and the bottom of the barrier is at most 2 inches.
All 9 Martinez rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Chickens |
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Building on a hillside
| When hillside rules apply |
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Park and impact fees for new homes
Martinez code The fee equals the value of the land that would otherwise be dedicated. 5 acres of park land for every 1,000 residents.
All 4 Martinez rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
| Noise limit at homes |
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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 |
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| 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 |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Martinez code 55 years 45 years
All 9 Martinez rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Martinez code Permitted on an approved residential driveway. Permitted on a paved area or pad at least 50 feet behind the property line.
All 11 Martinez rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Martinez code Fees follow the current City fee schedule. No more than 2 false alarms are allowed.
All 4 Martinez rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
| For-sale and open-house signs |
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Trash and recycling carts
Martinez code Separate and recycle all recyclable material and organic waste generated on the premises. Place separated organic waste in the designated approved recycling container.
All 8 Martinez rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Martinez code A permit is required. Planning Commission approval is required.
All 4 Martinez rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Martinez rules on this
Martinez's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Floodplain management (Ch. 15.30)
- Erosion control for grading (§ 15.04.060)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Martinez?
Martinez's code: Yes; up to 8 chickens. (Applies in residential and agricultural zones on lots of 4,000 to 10,000 square feet.) (§ 22.58.030); Yes; up to 12 chickens. (Applies in residential and agricultural zones on lots of 10,001 to 20,000 square feet.) (§ 22.58.030).
What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Martinez?
Martinez's code: Applies to parcels with any area of 10 percent slope or greater. (Residential development needing Design Review or Subdivision approval in the Alhambra Valley Districts.) (§ 22.29.080); Areas steeper than 30% slope may not be developed. (Except 1 house on an existing lot with no building site at 30% slope or less, and approved connecting roads.) (§ 22.33.030).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Martinez?
Martinez's code: Noise limit: 35 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.; 45 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Indoor noise standard.) (§ 8.34.020); Noise limit: 50 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.; 60 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Outdoor noise.) (§ 8.34.020).
Can I run a family child care home in Martinez?
California law sets this for every city, including Martinez: 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)).
What signs may I put up at my home in Martinez?
Martinez's code: One temporary real estate sign. (While the parcel is for sale, rent or lease.) (§ 16.32.080); Up to 12 square feet of sign surface area. (§ 16.32.080).
General information, not legal advice.
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