Orange · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Orange
Orange sets fence and wall heights by yard and ground level, with taller walls allowed near freeways, railroads and nonresidential zones. Habitable accessory structures are limited to 450 square feet in total unless a conditional use permit is approved.
Key points
- Fence heights: On standard residential lots, front-yard fences: at most 3 1/2 feet; side and rear, 6 feet from higher ground, 10 from lower.
- Accessory limits: Accessory structures together are limited to 50% of the main structure's square footage; any part in a side or rear setback, 10 feet tall.
Each rule below is marked Orange code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Orange code On standard residential lots, front-yard fences: at most 3 1/2 feet; side and rear, 6 feet from higher ground, 10 from lower.
All 9 Orange rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Orange code Accessory structures together are limited to 50% of the main structure's square footage; any part in a side or rear setback, 10 feet tall.
All 8 Orange rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Orange code Administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review; one inspection. You may apply by email or the internet.
All 4 Orange rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
Orange code Openings may be no wider than 4 inches. At least 5 feet high, measured from outside the pool area.
Pets, chickens and bees
| Bees |
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|---|---|
| Permit |
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Building in a flood zone
Orange code You need a development permit before building in a special flood, flood-erosion or mudslide hazard area. Fill, new buildings and other development are not allowed unless certified to cause no rise in flood levels.
All 6 Orange rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
Orange code Acres to be dedicated × (per-acre market value of undeveloped residential land + per-acre cost of minimum park improvements). 3 net acres per 1,000 residents.
All 4 Orange rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
| Noise limit at homes |
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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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
Orange code The extra enclosed space may be tandem but not in a required front yard setback. 1 additional enclosed space.
All 8 Orange rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Orange code Noncommercial and campaign signs may be displayed without a permit, subject to stated conditions. There is no limit on the number of signs.
Trash and recycling carts
Orange code By 7:00 a.m. on the day after collection Not before 4:00 p.m. on the day before the normal collection time.
All 3 Orange rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Orange rules on this
Orange's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- SB 9 units in single-family zones (§ 17.14.060)
- No RV or trailer parking on streets or home lots (§ 10.34.060)
- City grading ordinance (Ch. 16.40) — rules are set out in the city grading manual
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Orange?
Orange's code: Permit required; hive at least 300 feet from any dwelling except the owner's, and 100 feet from any exterior boundary. (§ 6.08.010).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Orange?
Orange's code: The limit is 50 dB(A) as an hourly average. (Fixed noise sources, measured on residential property, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; 5 dB(A) lower for impact, tone, speech or music.) (§ 8.24.040); The maximum level is 70 dB(A). (Fixed noise sources, measured on residential property, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; 5 dB(A) lower for impact, tone, speech or music.) (§ 8.24.040).
Can I run a family child care home in Orange?
California law sets this for every city, including Orange: 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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