San Bruno · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in San Bruno
San Bruno sets its own limits on fences and home businesses, and has a separate section on accessory structures. Fence height depends on the yard and on corner lots.
Key points
- Fence height: Fences: at most 3 feet in front yards, 6 feet in required side and rear yards, or 8 feet with lattice on top.
- Home businesses: A home business may use 200 square feet or 10% of the home, whichever is greater; it needs a permit and business license.
- Accessory structures: The city has its own code section on accessory structures.
Each rule below is marked San Bruno code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
San Bruno code Fences: at most 3 feet in front yards, 6 feet in required side and rear yards, or 8 feet with lattice on top.
All 4 San Bruno rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Running a business from home
San Bruno code A home business may use 200 square feet or 10% of the home, whichever is greater; it needs a permit and business license.
All 5 San Bruno rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Where it may be parked |
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|---|
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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|---|---|
| Review time |
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| Solar permit process |
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Swimming pools
San Bruno code The pool, or the part of the yard around it, must be fully enclosed by a fence. At least 6 feet high.
All 7 San Bruno rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
San Bruno code Construction noise at 100 feet: at most 85 decibels 7 a.m.–10 p.m.; at most 60 decibels 10 p.m.–7 a.m. 45 decibels.
All 3 San Bruno rules on noise and construction hours, 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)
San Bruno code Affordable for not less than 55 years. Affordable for 45 years.
All 8 San Bruno rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
San Bruno code Operable vehicles may be parked only on a garage apron or driveway Operable vehicles may not be parked in other visible front or side yards; inoperable ones not in a visible yard
All 9 San Bruno rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
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|---|---|
| False alarms before a fee |
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Signs on homes
San Bruno code Not more than 90 days before the election Remove within 14 days after the election
All 6 San Bruno rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
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|---|---|
| When carts may go to the curb |
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Other San Bruno rules on this
San Bruno's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Accessory structures (§ 12.84.140)
- No livestock kept in the city (§ 6.36.300)
- Heritage tree removal permit (Ch. 8.25)
- Floodplain management (Ch. 11.40)
- Grading regulations (Ch. 12.16)
- Development impact fees (Ch. 12.260)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in San Bruno?
The city has its own code section on accessory structures. San Bruno also has a related rule: Accessory structures (§ 12.84.140).
Can I park an RV or boat at my home in San Bruno?
San Bruno's code: Only in an enclosed garage or a carport. (Trailer coaches or camp cars stored more than 72 hours when not in use.) (§ 4.52.080).
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in San Bruno?
San Bruno's code: Administrative review; a permit is issued for a complete application meeting the approved checklist and standard plan; 1 inspection. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 11.36.060); The building official approves and issues all needed permits when the application meets the city checklist. (EV charging stations; the application must also meet all applicable laws and health and safety standards.) (§ 11.38.060).
Can I run a family child care home in San Bruno?
California law sets this for every city, including San Bruno: 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 San Bruno?
San Bruno's code: Fees are set by city council resolution and get higher for each false alarm in a 180-day period (§ 6.48.010); After the second false alarm in 180 days, police may send a warning notice; fees can follow (Causes other than acts of God; applies to later false alarms) (§ 6.48.010).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in San Bruno?
San Bruno's code: Not left at curbside longer than 12 hours after the scheduled collection (Recycling receptacles for residential units) (§ 10.22.080); Not placed at curbside earlier than 12 hours before the scheduled collection (Recycling receptacles for residential units) (§ 10.22.080).
General information, not legal advice.
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