San Jacinto · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in San Jacinto

San Jacinto sets its own rules for accessory structures and home businesses. Setbacks depend on the structure type and the zone, and the city lists many businesses that may not run from a home.

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Key points

Accessory height: Detached accessory structures in residential zones: at most 15 feet; sheds and playhouses in a side setback or near the rear line, 7 feet.
Home businesses: Home offices may not have client visits; barber services and lessons allow 1 customer or pupil at a time; a business license is required.

Each rule below is marked San Jacinto code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

San Jacinto code Detached accessory structures in residential zones: at most 15 feet; sheds and playhouses in a side setback or near the rear line, 7 feet.

All 11 San Jacinto rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

San Jacinto code Home offices may not have client visits; barber services and lessons allow 1 customer or pupil at a time; a business license is required.

All 6 San Jacinto rules on running a business from home, with the code text →

Lot splits under SB 9

San Jacinto code Each unit must be no more than 800 square feet and more than 500 square feet. Each unit must be no more than 800 square feet and more than 500 square feet.

All 12 San Jacinto rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →

RV and boat parking

San Jacinto code What San Jacinto's code adds
Parking on the street	No more than 72 hours. Applies: Applies to recreational vehicles parked on public streets in a residential district. § 10.16.240 · code text Recreational vehicles shall be allowed to park on public streets in a residential district for not more than seventy-two (72) hours or in a commercial district for not more than one hundred twenty (120) hours.
Living in an RV	No. Living in a recreational vehicle is strictly prohibited. § 10.16.240 · code text Habitation of recreational vehicles is strictly prohibited.

Solar panels and EV chargers

San Jacinto code Apply online through the San Jacinto Connect Online portal; electronic signatures are accepted. Panels may not be taller than the city's maximum legal building height.

All 4 San Jacinto rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

San Jacinto code Yes, at most 2 bee colonies. Yes, at most 4 bee colonies.

All 7 San Jacinto rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

San Jacinto code What San Jacinto's code adds
Floodplain permit	You need a development permit before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. § 15.40.130 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.40.050.
Building in a floodway	No new development or fill is allowed unless all development together raises the base flood no more than 1 foot. Applies: Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, in Zones A1-30 and AE. § 15.40.200 · code text Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones A1—30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the city of San Jacinto. Fill, new buildings and other development are not allowed unless they cause no rise in flood levels. Applies: Within an adopted regulatory floodway. § 15.40.200 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the city of San Jacinto shall prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development, unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating that the proposed encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor must be 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New homes and substantial improvements in AE, AH and A1-30 zones and unnumbered A zones. § 15.40.150 · code text In AE, AH, A1—30 Zones, elevated one foot above the base flood elevation. The lowest floor must be above the highest nearby ground, at least as high as the FIRM depth number. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with a depth number; includes the basement. § 15.40.150 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least one foot above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the highest nearby ground. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with no depth number on the FIRM; includes the basement. § 15.40.150 · code text elevated at least one foot above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified.

Building on a hillside

San Jacinto code Cut and fill slopes should generally be no more than 30 feet high. Retaining walls may be no higher than 6 feet.

All 9 San Jacinto rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →

Noise and construction hours

San Jacinto code Building work is allowed only from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Building work is allowed only from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays.

All 13 San Jacinto rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →

Outdoor lighting

San Jacinto code What San Jacinto's code adds
Shielding	Lights must be shielded or changed so no light or glare goes past the property line or into the sky. § 17.300.080 · code text Light or glare from exterior lights, mechanical or chemical processes, or from reflective materials used or stored on a site shall be shielded or modified to prevent emission of light or glare beyond the property line, or upward into the sky.

Garage and yard sales

San Jacinto code What San Jacinto's code adds
Hours	Garage sales may run only from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. § 5.24.070 · code text Garage sales shall only be conducted between the hours of seven a.m. and eight p.m. of any day.
Permit	A license is required; apply in person at least 48 hours before the sale. Applies: The fee is $5.00 per sale, or another amount the city council sets. § 5.24.080 · code text Cost of a license is five dollars ($5.00) for each sale or such other sum as the city council shall establish from time to time by resolution.

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
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)

Group homes and residential care

San Jacinto code A drop-off, pick-up, loading and temporary parking area next to the main entrance. Considered a residential use, allowed in a single-family residence in any residential zone with no City land use permits required.

All 4 San Jacinto rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →

Parking spaces required for homes

San Jacinto code Parking and maneuvering limited to a carport or garage plus a paved driveway, no wider than the garage Extra parking paving up to 20 feet wide beyond the driveway, as far back as the rear of the house

All 5 San Jacinto rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Home alarm permits and false alarms

San Jacinto code $50.00 $75.00

All 11 San Jacinto rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Signs on homes

San Jacinto code Up to 3 political signs, 6 square feet total, 4 feet high, up to 14 days after the campaign ends 1 sign per parcel

All 6 San Jacinto rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

San Jacinto code What San Jacinto's code adds
When carts must come back	Remove the container from the street or right-of-way within 12 hours after collection § 8.32.030 · code text No container shall be placed adjacent to a street or public right-of-way for collection service more than twelve (12) hours prior to the normal collection time and shall be removed from the street or right-of-way location within twelve (12) hours after collection.
When carts may go to the curb	No more than 12 hours before the normal collection time § 8.32.030 · code text No container shall be placed adjacent to a street or public right-of-way for collection service more than twelve (12) hours prior to the normal collection time and shall be removed from the street or right-of-way location within twelve (12) hours after collection.

Historic homes

San Jacinto code Director review and approval (the Director may refer the request to the Commission) Commission review and approval for a designated historic resource

All 4 San Jacinto rules on historic homes, with the code text →

Other San Jacinto rules on this

San Jacinto's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Connecting or draining a pool to the sewer (§ 13.32.200)
Noise limits for pool and spa equipment (§ 8.40.140) — in or next to residential areas
Park and open space fees (Ch. 15.36)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in San Jacinto?

San Jacinto's code: No. Living in a recreational vehicle is strictly prohibited. (§ 10.16.240).

What are the rules for building in a San Jacinto flood zone?

San Jacinto's code: You need a development permit before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.40.130); The lowest floor must be 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New homes and substantial improvements in AE, AH and A1-30 zones and unnumbered A zones.) (§ 15.40.150).

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in San Jacinto?

San Jacinto's code: Lights must be shielded or changed so no light or glare goes past the property line or into the sky. (§ 17.300.080).

What are the garage sale rules in San Jacinto?

San Jacinto's code: A license is required; apply in person at least 48 hours before the sale. (The fee is $5.00 per sale, or another amount the city council sets.) (§ 5.24.080); Garage sales may run only from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (§ 5.24.070).

Can I run a family child care home in San Jacinto?

California law sets this for every city, including San Jacinto: 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)).

When can trash carts go out to the curb in San Jacinto?

San Jacinto's code: Remove the container from the street or right-of-way within 12 hours after collection (§ 8.32.030); No more than 12 hours before the normal collection time (§ 8.32.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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