Shafter · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Shafter
Shafter sets its own rules for pool enclosures and for the number of pets per residence, and issues rooftop solar and EV charger permits against a city checklist.
Key points
- Pool fences: Pools 2 feet or more deep need a non-climbable fence or wall at least 4.5 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates or locks.
- Pets: In R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, each residence may keep at most 3 adult dogs, 3 adult cats and 20 other household pets.
- Solar and EV: Shafter issues rooftop solar and EV charger permits when a complete application meets the city checklist; electronic submittal is accepted for EV chargers.
Each rule below is marked Shafter code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|---|
| Solar permit process |
|
Swimming pools
Shafter code Pools 2 feet or more deep need a non-climbable fence or wall at least 4.5 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates or locks.
Pets, chickens and bees
Shafter code In R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, each residence may keep at most 3 adult dogs, 3 adult cats and 20 other household pets.
All 8 Shafter rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Grading and erosion control
| Grading without a permit |
|
|---|
Noise and construction hours
| Construction hours on weekdays |
|
|---|
Garage and yard sales
| How long a sale may last |
|
|---|---|
| Sales per year |
|
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 |
Trash and recycling carts
Shafter code Containers may be at the curb only until 8 p.m. on the day of collection. Containers may be put at the curb no earlier than 4 p.m. on the evening before collection.
All 3 Shafter rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Shafter rules on this
Shafter's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Parking unhitched trailers on streets (§ 10.40.290) — trailers not hitched to a vehicle
- Light and glare (§ 12.80)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Shafter?
Shafter issues rooftop solar and EV charger permits when a complete application meets the city checklist; electronic submittal is accepted for EV chargers.
What are the rules for building in a Shafter flood zone?
Shafter's code: A development permit is needed before construction or development, including manufactured homes, in special flood hazard, flood-erosion or mudslide areas. (§ 15.44.140); Lowest floor, including the basement, 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New construction or substantial improvement in a special flood hazard area, except areas of shallow flooding.) (§ 15.44.270).
What are the grading rules in Shafter?
Shafter's code: Excavation for a building site that is less than two feet deep, or that does not create a cut slope that is both greater than five feet in height and steeper than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical; fill that does not exceed fifty cubic yards on any one site and is less than one foot deep on natural terrain flatter than five horizontal to one vertical, or less than three feet deep and not intended to support structures; basement and footing excavation under a valid building permit (No exemption for work that changes or blocks a natural drainage course; basement excavation not over five feet unsupported) (§ 15.28.040).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Shafter?
Shafter's code: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Every day; construction or repair equipment in or within 500 feet of a residential zone, when louder than ambient beyond 50 feet.) (§ 8.24.030).
What are the garage sale rules in Shafter?
Shafter's code: 2 sales per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) at the same home. (More only after all adult occupants change.) (§ 5.52.050); No more than 2 days in a row. (§ 5.52.050).
Can I run a family child care home in Shafter?
California law sets this for every city, including Shafter: 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 Shafter property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question