Moreno Valley · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Moreno Valley
Moreno Valley sets its own fence and retaining-wall heights, accessory-structure limits and home-business rules. Fence limits depend on the yard, solid or open design, and retaining walls.
Key points
- Fence height: Moreno Valley limits solid front-yard fences to 3 ft and open ones to 6 ft; side and rear yard fences to 6 ft.
- Accessory structures: City rule: accessory structures in a required yard are limited to 600 sq ft, and above-ground ones to 25% of any required yard.
- Home businesses: Moreno Valley lets a home business use up to 20% of the floor area, excluding the garage, with a permit and city business license.
Each rule below is marked Moreno Valley code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Moreno Valley code Moreno Valley limits solid front-yard fences to 3 ft and open ones to 6 ft; side and rear yard fences to 6 ft.
All 14 Moreno Valley rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Moreno Valley code City rule: accessory structures in a required yard are limited to 600 sq ft, and above-ground ones to 25% of any required yard.
All 8 Moreno Valley rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Moreno Valley code Moreno Valley lets a home business use up to 20% of the floor area, excluding the garage, with a permit and city business license.
All 5 Moreno Valley rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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|---|---|
| Solar permit process |
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Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
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| Height of the lowest floor |
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Grading and erosion control
Moreno Valley code An approved erosion control plan is required. Erosion and sediment control measures are required.
All 8 Moreno Valley rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
Moreno Valley code The fee equals the value of the parkland that would have been dedicated. 3 thousandths of an acre per resident, or 3 acres per 1,000 residents.
All 3 Moreno Valley rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
| Construction hours on weekdays |
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|---|
Outdoor lighting
| Light at the property line |
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|---|---|
| Shielding |
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Garage and yard sales
Moreno Valley code 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. No more than 3 days in a row.
All 5 Moreno Valley 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
Moreno Valley code Parking is based on demonstrated need, capped at what other residential uses in the zone need. Chapter 9.11 also applies. A conditional use permit is required.
All 7 Moreno Valley rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Moreno Valley code Within an enclosed garage 1 covered space per unit
All 13 Moreno Valley rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
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|---|
Signs on homes
Moreno Valley code 1 sign, up to 8 square feet and up to 6 feet high Temporary signs from 90 days before to 10 days after an official election; each up to 32 square feet
All 13 Moreno Valley rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Moreno Valley code Remove containers within 12 hours after collection Not more than 12 hours before the normal collection time
All 3 Moreno Valley rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Moreno Valley rules on this
Moreno Valley's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Agricultural and animal uses at a home (§ 9.09.090)
- Urban lot split parcel map (SB 9) (§ 9.14.240)
- SB 9 two-unit developments (§ 9.09.300)
- Swimming pools and spas at a home (§ 9.09.202)
- Hillside design standards (§ 9.16.235)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Moreno Valley?
Moreno Valley's code: Complete applications are approved administratively, and all required permits are issued. (Small residential rooftop solar systems; the application is complete and meets the checklist.) (§ 8.40.040); Complete applications are approved administratively, and all required permits are issued. (Electric vehicle charging stations; the application is complete and meets the checklist.) (§ 8.42.040).
What are the rules for building in a Moreno Valley flood zone?
Moreno Valley's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (§ 8.12.150); The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 8.12.170).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Moreno Valley?
Moreno Valley's code: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., every day. (Construction, repair or demolition equipment that creates a noise disturbance. Utility emergency work and city-approved work are exempt. Power tools follow a separate rule.) (§ 11.80.030).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Moreno Valley?
Moreno Valley's code: All lighting must be designed to point downward. (Lighting must also not create glare on adjacent properties.) (§ 9.10.110); No more than 0.5 footcandles on any adjacent property. (Applies to direct or indirect light from any operation, activity, sign or fixture.) (§ 9.10.110).
Can I run a family child care home in Moreno Valley?
California law sets this for every city, including Moreno Valley: 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)).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Moreno Valley?
Moreno Valley's code: An assessment set by city council resolution for every false alarm; pay within 15 days of the invoice (§ 11.60.100); A penalty of 25% of the fee in the notice, but not less than $5 (The alarm owner fails to pay the fees within 15 days from the date of service of notice) (§ 11.60.100).
General information, not legal advice.
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