Oakland · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Oakland
Oakland sets its own fence heights for residential zones. Massage therapists working from home have their own rules; other home businesses fall under Chapter 17.112.
Key points
- Fence height: Oakland limits residential fences to 42 inches in front and corner street side yards and 8 ft in most other yards.
- Home massage: City rule: a massage therapist working from home needs a massage therapist permit and may have no one else working there.
Each rule below is marked Oakland code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Oakland code Oakland limits residential fences to 42 inches in front and corner street side yards and 8 ft in most other yards.
All 4 Oakland rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Running a business from home
| Employees |
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|---|---|
| Permit |
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Solar panels and EV chargers
| Review time |
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|---|---|
| Solar permit process |
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Swimming pools
Oakland code The fence must stop anyone, including small children, from crawling or passing through. Part of the enclosure may be a house or other permanent structure connected to the fence.
Pets, chickens and bees
Oakland code Yes, if the enclosure is more than 20 feet from any home, church or school; no roosters. No.
All 4 Oakland rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
Oakland code Walls of the main building may be no taller than 25 feet. Pitched roofs of the main building may be no taller than 30 feet.
All 4 Oakland rules on building on a hillside, 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 |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Oakland code Accessory dwelling units are exempt from the impact fee. Affordable Housing units and projects are exempt from the impact fee.
All 4 Oakland rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Oakland code Garages, carports or uncovered parking go behind or beside the home, or uncovered parking nearer an interior side lot line. Parking is allowed only in garages, carports, uncovered spaces in permitted locations, or approved driveways.
All 12 Oakland rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| Alarm permit |
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|---|
Signs on homes
| For-sale and open-house signs |
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Trash and recycling carts
| Sorting organics and green waste |
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Historic homes
| Changing a historic home |
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|---|---|
| Demolishing an older or historic home |
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Other Oakland rules on this
Oakland's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Permit to remove a protected tree (Ch. 12.36)
- Excessive and annoying noise (§ 8.18.010)
- Gas leaf blower and trimmer ban (Ch. 8.64)
- Noise limits for residential zones (§ 17.120.050)
- Transportation and capital improvement impact fees (Ch. 15.74)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Oakland?
City rule: a massage therapist working from home needs a massage therapist permit and may have no one else working there.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Oakland?
Oakland's code: You may apply electronically; electronic signatures are accepted. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar permit applicants.) (§ 15.33.080); Same day for over-the-counter applications; 1 to 3 business days for electronic applications. (Applies to complete small residential rooftop solar applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan.) (§ 15.33.090).
Can I run a family child care home in Oakland?
California law sets this for every city, including Oakland: 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 Oakland?
Oakland's code: A current alarm permit is needed for police response. It lasts 1 year; the fee is in the fee schedule. (Applies to the alarm user who owns or controls the alarm site (home owner, renter or business).) (§ 8.02.020).
What signs may I put up at my home in Oakland?
Oakland's code: At most 6 square feet per lot. Free-standing: at most 6 feet high, at least 5 feet from lot lines. (For-sale or lease signs on the advertised lot in residential zones (not RU-4 or RU-5) and open space zones. Remove within 7 days after occupancy.) (§ 17.104.010).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Oakland?
Oakland's code: Organics, recyclables and mixed materials go in a Director-approved container. The person in charge must provide enough capacity. (Applies to single-family dwellings. The container needs handles, a tight-fitting cover and must be watertight.) (§ 8.28.140).
What rules apply to a historic home in Oakland?
Oakland's code: Design review approval is required before the exterior appearance is altered. (Applies to buildings, designated or potentially designated historic properties, and signs, unless exempt under section 17.136.025.) (§ 17.100B.030); Demolition or removal is reviewed under the design review criteria in section 17.136.075. (Applies to designated or potentially designated historic properties.) (§ 17.100B.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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