Santee · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Santee
Santee sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. A lot without a garage may add a 400-square-foot detached garage in all cases.
Key points
- Fence height: Front-yard fences are limited to 3½ feet, or 6 feet if the top part is 90% open; side and rear yards, 6 feet.
- Accessory structures: Accessory structures in side or rear yards: at most 16 feet, 1 story; detached ones total at most 50% of the home's living area.
- Home businesses: A home business may host 1 customer per 2-hour period, only residents may work there, and it needs Director approval and a business license.
Each rule below is marked Santee code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Santee code Front-yard fences are limited to 3½ feet, or 6 feet if the top part is 90% open; side and rear yards, 6 feet.
All 5 Santee rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Santee code Accessory structures in side or rear yards: at most 16 feet, 1 story; detached ones total at most 50% of the home's living area.
All 8 Santee rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Santee code A home business may host 1 customer per 2-hour period, only residents may work there, and it needs Director approval and a business license.
All 5 Santee rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Santee code Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot area. Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet.
All 13 Santee rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|
Swimming pools
| Permit |
|
|---|
Building in a flood zone
Santee code A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in any special flood hazard area. Fill, new building, substantial improvements and other encroachments are banned unless a registered engineer certifies no flood rise.
All 7 Santee rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
| Soils or geology report |
|
|---|---|
| When hillside rules apply |
|
Park and impact fees for new homes
| How the park fee is set |
|
|---|
Noise and construction hours
Santee code 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
All 4 Santee 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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
Santee code 1 off-street uncovered parking space for each 4 units. Private on-street parking may replace visitor parking, where street pavement width and distance between driveways are sufficient.
All 7 Santee rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Santee code Place source separated solid waste, recyclables and organic waste in individual containers of 96 gallons or less. No later than 12 hours after the latest regularly scheduled collection time.
All 5 Santee rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Santee code Prior written approval of the City Council. Referral to the City Council and prior written approval.
Other Santee rules on this
Santee's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Grading permits and standards (Ch. 11.40)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Santee?
Santee's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary review. The permit can be issued when the application meets all checklist requirements. (§ 11.50.060); Electronic submittal is allowed. (§ 11.50.050).
What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Santee?
Santee's code: 10% to 19.9% natural slope: grading allowed if landforms keep their natural look; contour grading and split levels expected. (Hillside overlay district (H).) (§ 13.22.050); A geologic or soil engineering study is required. (Hillside overlay district (H); development in areas of potential geologic hazards.) (§ 13.22.040).
What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Santee?
Santee's code: Set by the City Council ordinance or resolution that imposes each fee. (City development impact fees other than the RTCIP mitigation fee.) (§ 12.30.150).
Can I run a family child care home in Santee?
California law sets this for every city, including Santee: 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.
Ask about a specific Santee property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question