San Marino · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in San Marino
San Marino sets its own limits on fences, hedges and accessory buildings. Front-yard limits depend on the area district, and hedges along some major streets may be taller.
Key points
- Fence height: Front-yard fences: at most 4 feet, or 5 ft 6 in in Area Districts I and II; R-1 side and rear yards, 6 feet.
- Accessory buildings: Detached garages and accessory buildings are limited to 16 feet, or 30 feet with a livable second story, and 1/3 of the rear yard.
Each rule below is marked San Marino 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 Marino code Front-yard fences: at most 4 feet, or 5 ft 6 in in Area Districts I and II; R-1 side and rear yards, 6 feet.
All 12 San Marino rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
San Marino code Detached garages and accessory buildings are limited to 16 feet, or 30 feet with a livable second story, and 1/3 of the rear yard.
All 8 San Marino rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
San Marino code Each new parcel must be at least 40% of the original lot area. Units may be no more than 800 square feet.
All 5 San Marino rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
San Marino code Expedited nondiscretionary building permit; apply in person, by mail or online. Issued when health and safety requirements are met. Expedited building permit for applications meeting the city's standard plans and checklist; only 1 inspection required.
All 4 San Marino rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
San Marino code No permit application fee. No permit application fee.
All 11 San Marino rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Swimming pools
| Barrier height |
|
|---|---|
| Maintenance and empty pools |
|
Pets, chickens and bees
San Marino code Yes, at most 3 hens; roosters are prohibited. At least 5 feet from the street-side property line.
All 4 San Marino rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|
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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
|
|---|---|
| False alarms before a fee |
|
| Alarm permit |
|
Trash and recycling carts
San Marino code Containers placed in a public street or alley for immediate collection may stay no more than 30 minutes Rear or side yards, not within 5 feet of a property line unless shielded by maintained vegetation or lawful fence
All 3 San Marino rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
San Marino code Certificate of Appropriateness or Economic Hardship required before alteration, restoration, rehabilitation, construction, removal, or relocation of a historic landmark Landmark demolition needs a Certificate of Appropriateness or Economic Hardship, an approved replacement plan, and generally a replacement improvement permit
All 3 San Marino rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other San Marino rules on this
San Marino's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Noise control (Art. 14.04)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the pool fence and setback rules in San Marino?
San Marino's code: A fence at least 5 feet tall must enclose the pool. (§ 23.02.08).
What are the rules for building in a San Marino flood zone?
San Marino's code: A development permit is needed for all construction or development, so the city can decide if it is flood-prone. (§ 25.11.08).
Can I run a family child care home in San Marino?
California law sets this for every city, including San Marino: 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 Marino?
San Marino's code: $100.00 per false alarm (4 and 5 false alarms within a calendar year) (§ 14.01.07); $500.00 per false alarm (6 or more false alarms within a calendar year) (§ 14.01.07).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific San Marino property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question