Oxnard · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Oxnard
Oxnard sets local limits on fence and wall heights, small accessory structures, home businesses and keeping rabbits, poultry and bees. Fence height depends on the yard and on whether the fence is solid or open.
Key points
- Front fences: In front yards, solid walls and fences are limited to 18 inches; openwork fences at least 50% open are limited to 42 inches.
- Side and rear: Side and rear lot-line fences are limited to 7 feet, or 6 feet on the street side of a corner lot.
- Shed height: Small accessory structures without utilities are limited to 8 feet with a flat roof, or up to 12 feet sloped with added setback.
- Shed area: All small accessory structures together are limited to 15% of rear open area or 120 square feet, whichever is less.
- Home businesses: Noncoastal home businesses may use at most 25% of one floor, with no customers except one-at-a-time tutoring, and only resident employees.
- Rabbits and poultry: Oxnard allows at most 25 rabbits and poultry combined in residential or commercial zones; bees are generally prohibited.
Each rule below is marked Oxnard code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Oxnard code In front yards, solid walls and fences are limited to 18 inches; openwork fences at least 50% open are limited to 42 inches. Side and rear lot-line fences are limited to 7 feet, or 6 feet on the street side of a corner lot.
All 5 Oxnard rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Oxnard code Small accessory structures without utilities are limited to 8 feet with a flat roof, or up to 12 feet sloped with added setback. All small accessory structures together are limited to 15% of rear open area or 120 square feet, whichever is less.
All 6 Oxnard rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Oxnard code Noncoastal home businesses may use at most 25% of one floor, with no customers except one-at-a-time tutoring, and only resident employees.
All 8 Oxnard rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Oxnard code The Building Official issues all permits when the application meets the city's checklist and applicable laws. Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a permit issues for a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plan; only 1 inspection.
All 4 Oxnard rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Bees |
|
|---|---|
| Chickens |
|
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Garage and yard sales
Oxnard code Sales may run from 7:00 a.m. or sunrise, whichever is later, to 6:00 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier. A yard sale may last no more than 3 days in a row.
All 3 Oxnard rules on garage and yard sales, 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
Oxnard code Covered spaces are not permitted. Visitor spaces need not be covered.
All 12 Oxnard rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| Alarm permit |
|
|---|---|
| When a permit can be revoked |
|
Signs on homes
Oxnard code At most 1 square foot in area. 1 temporary unlighted single- or double-faced free-standing sign, at most 6 square feet per side.
Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
|
|---|---|
| When carts may go to the curb |
|
Other Oxnard rules on this
Oxnard's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Parking oversized vehicles in residential areas (§ 8-41.1) — on public streets in residential zones
- Local swimming pool construction rules (Art. XXII)
- Development fees due before a building permit (§ 15-173)
- Drainage facilities fee (Div. 2, § 15-185 to § 15-189)
- Traffic circulation facilities fee (Div. 5, § 15-215 to § 15-220)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Oxnard?
Oxnard allows at most 25 rabbits and poultry combined in residential or commercial zones; bees are generally prohibited.
What are the rules for building in an Oxnard flood zone?
Oxnard's code: You need a development permit before construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (§ 18-25); The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in Zone A.) (§ 18-35).
Can I run a family child care home in Oxnard?
California law sets this for every city, including Oxnard: 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 Oxnard?
Oxnard's code: A permit is required. Apply and pay for it within 30 days after the alarm system is installed. (§ 11-69); The city may revoke the permit after 5 or more false alarms within 12 consecutive months. (§ 11-72).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Oxnard?
Oxnard's code: Containers may not stay at the collection location after the designated collection day. (§ 19-192); No earlier than 12 hours before the designated collection time (§ 19-192).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Oxnard property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question