Ojai · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Ojai
Ojai sets its own fence heights and its own list of businesses not allowed as home occupations. New or replacement fences need a zoning clearance.
Key points
- Fence height: City rule: fences are limited to 4 ft in front setbacks, 6 ft in side and rear setbacks, and 3 ft at intersections.
- Home businesses: City rule: home occupations may not include vehicle repair, animal grooming or breeding, medical offices, massage parlors or mini-storage.
Each rule below is marked Ojai code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Ojai code City rule: fences are limited to 4 ft in front setbacks, 6 ft in side and rear setbacks, and 3 ft at intersections.
Running a business from home
| Businesses not allowed |
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Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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Tree removal
| Protected trees |
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Swimming pools
Ojai code No openings, holes, or gaps larger than 4 inches in any direction. The space between pickets may be no more than 4 inches.
Pets, chickens and bees
Ojai code Yes, no more than 1 hive. Yes, no more than 2 hives.
All 6 Ojai rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Ojai code A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. No fill, new construction or other encroachment unless a registered professional engineer or architect certifies no flood level increase.
All 5 Ojai rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
| Steepest cut or fill slope |
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Building on a hillside
Ojai code A land condition report covering soil type, Soil Conservation Service land capability class and geologic features is required. A written report of subsurface investigation findings and recommendations is required.
All 5 Ojai rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
| Noise limit at homes |
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Outdoor lighting
Ojai code Non-essential outdoor lights must be off when not in use for their purpose. Off from 10:00 p.m. to sunrise.
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
Ojai code No more than 50% of a required front yard may be used for access driveways. Each parking space must be at least 9 feet wide and 20 feet long.
All 5 Ojai rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Ojai code Political signs are exempt from a sign permit. Up to 3 square feet, at each corner and entrance, at least 100 feet apart or as State rules require.
Trash and recycling carts
Ojai code Green waste goes in green-waste containers or securely tied bundles of at most 50 pounds, not mixed with other waste. Not later than 8:00 p.m. on the day following the regularly scheduled collection day
All 4 Ojai rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Ojai code A major work permit. A minor work permit.
Other Ojai rules on this
Ojai's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Traffic impact mitigation fee (§ 9-14.04)
- How impact fees are charged (§ 10-9.303)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Ojai?
City rule: home occupations may not include vehicle repair, animal grooming or breeding, medical offices, massage parlors or mini-storage.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Ojai?
Ojai's code: The Building Official issues all needed permits when the application meets the city checklist; electronic applications and signatures accepted. (Applies to EV charging stations; the station may not be energized or used until the city approves it.) (§ 9-16.03).
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Ojai?
Ojai's code: All existing oak, sycamore, heritage, and other mature trees. (§ 10-2.1218).
What are the grading rules in Ojai?
Ojai's code: No steeper than 2:1. (Cut and fill slopes, unless a thorough geological and engineering analysis shows steeper slopes are safe and sets erosion controls.) (§ 9-11.311).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Ojai?
Ojai's code: No more than 55 dB. (Outdoors in residential zones (including Village Mixed Use), 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) (§ 5-11.04); No more than 45 dB. (Outdoors in residential zones (including Village Mixed Use), 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) (§ 5-11.04).
Can I run a family child care home in Ojai?
California law sets this for every city, including Ojai: 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)).
General information, not legal advice.
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