Newman · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Newman
Newman limits fence heights by yard and corner-lot visibility, and limits accessory buildings by height, size and distance from lot lines. It also sets pool setbacks, park fees for new homes and flood-zone floor heights.
Key points
- Fences: Fences and walls up to 42 inches are allowed in required yards; side or rear yards allow up to 7 feet, not front yards.
- Accessory buildings: Accessory buildings are limited to 12 feet tall; detached ones stand at least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines.
- Home businesses: Home businesses are limited to one room or 20% of the dwelling's square footage, whichever is greater; garage space is excluded.
- Pools: R Districts: pools at least 5 feet from rear or side lines; filter and heating systems at least 30 feet from other homes.
- Park fees: Park fees in lieu of land are $1,600 per R-1 lot or home and $1,280 for other homes, adjusted each March 1 for inflation.
- Flood zones: New or substantially improved homes in an A Zone need the lowest floor at or above the base flood elevation.
Each rule below is marked Newman code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Newman code Fences and walls up to 42 inches are allowed in required yards; side or rear yards allow up to 7 feet, not front yards.
All 8 Newman rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Newman code Accessory buildings are limited to 12 feet tall; detached ones stand at least 5 feet from side and rear lot lines.
All 5 Newman rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Newman code Home businesses are limited to one room or 20% of the dwelling's square footage, whichever is greater; garage space is excluded.
All 6 Newman 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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Swimming pools
| Equipment and alarms |
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|---|---|
| Setback from property lines |
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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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Park and impact fees for new homes
Newman code Park fees in lieu of land are $1,600 per R-1 lot or home and $1,280 for other homes, adjusted each March 1 for inflation.
All 4 Newman rules on park and impact fees for new homes, 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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
| Spaces per apartment or condo |
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|---|---|
| Spaces for a single-family home |
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Signs on homes
Newman code Any number of political signs is allowed. Political signs are limited to 6 square feet per sign.
Trash and recycling carts
Newman code Remove containers from the curb or alley on the same day as collection. Carts must be out by 4:00 a.m. on collection day
All 3 Newman rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Newman rules on this
Newman's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Animals not allowed near neighbors in residential zones (§ 9.02.100)
- Noise regulations (Ch. 9.13)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Newman?
Newman's code: Applications may be submitted electronically, with electronic signature, as available resources allow. (Small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 4.23.030); The City Building Official approves and issues all permits when the application meets the city checklist. (EV charging stations; the application must also meet all applicable laws and health and safety standards.) (§ 4.24.040).
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Newman?
R Districts: pools at least 5 feet from rear or side lines; filter and heating systems at least 30 feet from other homes.
What are the rules for building in a Newman flood zone?
New or substantially improved homes in an A Zone need the lowest floor at or above the base flood elevation.
Can I run a family child care home in Newman?
California law sets this for every city, including Newman: 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 Newman?
Newman's code: 1 on-site parking space per unit. (Applies to studio to 1-bedroom apartments.) (§ 5.17.030); 2 on-site parking spaces per unit. (Applies to units with 2 to 3 bedrooms.) (§ 5.17.030).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Newman property
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