Norco · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Norco
Norco sets its own fence heights, limits for antennas and wind turbines, and home-business rules. Fence limits depend on the zone, the front setback and corner cutback areas.
Key points
- Fence height: Norco limits R-zone front-setback fences to 3 ft and A- and R-zone side and rear yard fences to 6 ft.
- Wind turbines: City rule: noncommercial wind turbines are limited to 35 ft and a 400 sq ft swept area, and need building permits.
- Home businesses: City rule: home businesses may employ no one outside the resident family and may draw no more traffic than normal for the zone.
Each rule below is marked Norco code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Norco code Norco limits R-zone front-setback fences to 3 ft and A- and R-zone side and rear yard fences to 6 ft.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Norco code City rule: noncommercial wind turbines are limited to 35 ft and a 400 sq ft swept area, and need building permits.
All 6 Norco rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
| Customer visits |
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|---|---|
| Employees |
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| Businesses not allowed |
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Solar panels and EV chargers
| Solar permit process |
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|---|---|
| Review time |
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Swimming pools
| Setback from property lines |
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Pets, chickens and bees
| Pet limit |
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Building in a flood zone
Norco code A development permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. No fill, new construction or other encroachment unless analyses certified by a registered civil engineer show no flood level increase.
All 5 Norco rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
| Grading without a permit |
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|---|
Building on a hillside
| Grading and retaining walls |
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|---|---|
| Height on hillside lots |
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Park and impact fees for new homes
Norco code Subdivisions of 50 parcels or fewer pay only the in-lieu fee and need not dedicate land. Minimum acres of dedication × market value of a buildable acre (graded pad, slope under 10%).
All 3 Norco rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
| Quiet hours |
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|---|---|
| Noise limit at homes |
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Outdoor lighting
Norco code At most 18 feet above finish grade, including pole and base. 0 foot-candles: no light may cross the property line.
Garage and yard sales
| How long a sale may last |
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|---|---|
| Permit |
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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 |
|---|---|
| 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)
Norco code Developments of five and six units are exempt from the affordable-unit requirement and instead pay an in-lieu fee set by City Council resolution Council resolution sets the fee; the code gives no figure. Half is due before the building permit, half before occupancy.
All 5 Norco rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Group homes and residential care
Norco code A conditional use permit is required. A conditional use permit is required.
All 4 Norco rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
| Garage and covered spaces |
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|---|---|
| Spaces per apartment or condo |
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| Spaces for a single-family home |
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Trash and recycling carts
Norco code Residential generators must arrange for recycling services and take part in recycling. Separate designated organics from refuse and arrange for recycling services.
All 3 Norco rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Norco code An improvement, object or natural feature must be at least 50 years old to qualify as a landmark. A certificate of appropriateness is required for all alterations.
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Norco?
City rule: home businesses may employ no one outside the resident family and may draw no more traffic than normal for the zone.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Norco?
Norco's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a building permit is issued when the application meets the approved checklist and standard plan. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 15.110.060); One inspection, scheduled within 2 business days of a request. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.110.060).
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Norco?
Norco's code: At least 5 feet from any property line or dwelling. (Applies to private pools for occupants and their nonpaying guests.) (§ 18.31.14).
What are the grading rules in Norco?
Norco's code: Cuts to 60 cubic yards: under 2 feet, or cut slope at most 5 feet high, no steeper than 2:1. (Fills under 3 feet to 50 cubic yards, or under 5 feet to 20, slopes no steeper than 2:1; no structure support or blocked drainage.) (§ 15.90.040).
What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Norco?
Norco's code: No steeper than 2 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical. (Grading plans in the hillside zone (natural hillside areas).) (§ 18.26.18); A slope of 1.5 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical may be allowed. (Hillside zone; needs Planning Commission and City Engineer approval and a soils report showing the slope is stable.) (§ 18.26.18).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Norco?
Norco's code: No more than 55 dB (Lmax). (Outdoor level on an occupied property in any residential density designation, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.) (§ 9.07.040); No more than 45 dB (Lmax). (Outdoor level on an occupied property in any residential density designation, 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.) (§ 9.07.040).
What are the garage sale rules in Norco?
Norco's code: No more than 3 consecutive calendar days. (Per permit; no permit for a site that had a yard sale in the 3 months before applying.) (§ 5.32.020); A permit from the city manager is required; the city council sets the fee by resolution. (§ 5.32.030).
Can I run a family child care home in Norco?
California law sets this for every city, including Norco: 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 Norco?
Norco's code: The required parking area must be used only for vehicle parking. It may not be reduced or encroached upon. (§ 18.38.24); At least 2 roofed parking spaces per dwelling unit. (Applies to multiple-family dwellings, apartment buildings and bungalow courts.) (§ 18.38.10).
General information, not legal advice.
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