Stockton · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Stockton

Stockton sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures, home businesses, pools and pets, and its own steps for SB 9 lot splits, rooftop solar and heritage trees. Fence and accessory limits depend on the yard and the type of structure.

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Key points

Fence height: City rule: fences in front and street-side setbacks are limited to 3 feet, or 4 feet if open; interior side and rear, 8 feet.
Accessory buildings: City rule: detached accessory structures, not ADUs, are limited to 15 feet and may come within 3 feet of interior side and rear lines.
Home businesses: City rule: a home business may use at most 10 percent of the habitable area; no non-resident employees; client visits only for lessons.
Pool barriers: City rule: pool and spa barriers must be at least 60 inches high; pools deeper than 18 inches need self-closing, self-latching gates.
Pets: City rule: at most 3 dogs per premises and 3 cats, each over 4 months old; bees and fowl only where zoning allows.
Rooftop solar: City rule: complete small rooftop solar applications get a permit the same day over the counter, or in 1 to 3 business days electronically.

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

Fences and walls

Stockton code City rule: fences in front and street-side setbacks are limited to 3 feet, or 4 feet if open; interior side and rear, 8 feet.

All 6 Stockton rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Stockton code City rule: detached accessory structures, not ADUs, are limited to 15 feet and may come within 3 feet of interior side and rear lines.

All 4 Stockton rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

Stockton code City rule: a home business may use at most 10 percent of the habitable area; no non-resident employees; client visits only for lessons.

All 17 Stockton rules on running a business from home, with the code text →

Lot splits under SB 9

Stockton code No setback is required. At least 3 feet from side and rear lot lines.

All 6 Stockton rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

Stockton code What Stockton's code adds
EV charger permit	The Building Official issues all permits when the application meets the city checklist, laws, and health and safety standards. Applies: Applies to electric vehicle charging stations. § 15.90.040 · code text Upon confirmation by the Building Official that the permit application and supporting documents meets the requirements of the City adopted checklist, and is consistent with all applicable laws and health and safety standards, the Building Official shall, consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, approve the application and issue all necessary permits. Electronic applications and electronic signatures are accepted. § 15.90.040 · code text Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the Building Official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentations. In accepting such permit applications, the Building Official shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by any applicant.
Solar permit process	Administrative, nondiscretionary review; a permit is issued when a complete application meets the checklist and standard plan; one inspection. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.78.050 · code text The City Building Department shall adopt an administrative, nondiscretionary review process to expedite approval of small residential rooftop solar energy systems within 30 days of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
Review time	Same day. Applies: Complete over-the-counter rooftop solar applications meeting the checklist and standard plan; an adverse safety finding may require a use permit. § 15.78.050 · code text The Building Department shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit (the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one to three business days for electronic applications) of receipt of a complete application and meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan. 1 to 3 business days. Applies: Complete electronic rooftop solar applications meeting the checklist and standard plan; an adverse safety finding may require a use permit. § 15.78.050 · code text The Building Department shall issue a building permit or other nondiscretionary permit (the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one to three business days for electronic applications) of receipt of a complete application and meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Tree removal

Stockton code What Stockton's code adds
Exemptions	No hearing, fee or replacement in an emergency, but a signed Director permit is still needed before removal. Applies: Applies when the Director finds a heritage tree an imminent threat to public health, safety or welfare. § 16.130.050 · code text § 16.130.050. Emergency. In circumstances where the condition of a heritage tree poses an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare requiring immediate removal, as determined by the Director, a public hearing in compliance with Section 16.130.030 (Permit) shall not be required; a permit to remove the heritage tree, signed by the Director, shall be obtained prior to the removal of the heritage tree. In such case where a person has been granted a permit for an emergency removal, payment of the permit fee shall not be required. Emergency removals do not require replacement. (Ord. 015-09 C.S., eff. 12-3-09; Ord. 2020-12-01-1502 C.S. § 34)
Permit to remove	Yes, a permit is required to remove or effectively remove a heritage tree. Applies: Applies to city heritage trees; emergency removal still needs a signed Director permit first. § 16.72.245 · code text Removed, cause to be removed, effectively removed (as defined in Division 8 (Glossary)), without first obtaining a permit from the Department in compliance with Chapter 16.130 (Heritage Tree Permit), except for emergencies in compliance with Section 16.130.050 (Emergency).

Swimming pools

Stockton code City rule: pool and spa barriers must be at least 60 inches high; pools deeper than 18 inches need self-closing, self-latching gates.

All 9 Stockton rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Stockton code City rule: at most 3 dogs per premises and 3 cats, each over 4 months old; bees and fowl only where zoning allows.

All 5 Stockton rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Stockton code What Stockton's code adds
Floodplain permit	A development permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. § 15.44.130 · 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 15.44.060.
Building in a floodway	No encroachments, including fill, new construction and substantial improvements, unless a registered civil engineer certifies no flood level rise. Applies: Applies within an adopted regulatory floodway, for flood levels during the base flood discharge. § 15.44.200 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the City of Stockton 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. No new construction or development, including fill, unless all development combined raises base flood levels no more than 1 foot. Applies: Applies in Zones A1-30 and AE until a regulatory floodway is adopted. The limit applies at any point in the city. § 15.44.200 · 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 Stockton.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor, including basement, must be at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones. § 15.44.150 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 Zones, elevated at least two feet above the base flood elevation; The lowest floor must be 2 feet above the flood map's depth number, measured from the highest adjacent grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone where the flood map (FIRM) shows a depth number. Includes basements. § 15.44.150 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height two feet above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least four feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified; The lowest floor must be at least 4 feet above the highest adjacent grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone where the flood map (FIRM) shows no depth number. Includes basements. § 15.44.150 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height two feet above the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least four feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified; The lowest floor, including basement, must be at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone, where the flood map (FIRM) shows no base flood elevation. § 15.44.150 · code text In an A zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM [unnumbered A zone], elevated at least two feet above the base flood elevation; as determined under Section 15.44.120(C).

Grading and erosion control

Stockton code What Stockton's code adds
Erosion control plan	If the Director requires it, submit an erosion and sediment control plan within 48 hours of notice. Applies: Construction that disturbs less than one acre. § 15.48.110 · code text If required by the Director, the permit holder shall develop and submit an ESCP within 48 hours of notification by the City. The Community Development Department may require an erosion and sediment control plan before issuing a building permit. Applies: Construction under one acre that needs a building permit. § 15.48.110 · code text The Community Development Department may require the submittal of an ESCP prior to issuing a building permit.
Grading without a permit	Under 50 cubic yards of material; digs for a structure under a building permit with erosion conditions; well digs. § 15.48.090 · code text Less than 50 cubic yards of material is involved;

Noise and construction hours

Stockton code What Stockton's code adds
Noise limit at homes	No more than 65 dB Ldn of transportation noise. Applies: Outdoor activity areas of proposed homes. This is a development standard. § 16.60.040 · code text Residential (all types) \| 65 \| 45 No more than 45 dB Ldn of transportation noise. Applies: Indoor spaces of proposed homes. This is a development standard. § 16.60.040 · code text Residential (all types) \| 65 \| 45

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

Stockton code What Stockton's code adds
Parking	A drop-off, pick-up, loading and temporary parking area next to the main entrance is required. Applies: Applies to residential care homes for 7 or more clients. § 16.80.300 · code text A drop-off/pick-up/loading/temporary parking area shall be provided adjacent to the main entrance; Parking security measures are required: security gates, fencing and night lighting. Applies: Applies to residential care homes for 7 or more clients. § 16.80.300 · code text Adequate measures shall be taken to provide for vehicle parking security including security gates, fencing, and night lighting.

Parking spaces required for homes

Stockton code Temporary parking of motor vehicles only. Vehicle storage is not allowed. Park only on a paved driveway.

All 7 Stockton rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Stockton code 2 false alarms in any 90-day period are allowed. More than 2 is excessive. A permit is required. The City Council sets the fee.

All 3 Stockton rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

Stockton code Subscribe to and pay for the City's three-container collection service (recycling, organics and solid waste), collected at least weekly. Put organic materials, recyclables and solid waste in their own containers.

All 5 Stockton rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →

Other Stockton rules on this

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

Outdoor lighting standards (§ 16.36.095)
Public facilities fees on new development (§ 16.72.260)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Stockton?

City rule: complete small rooftop solar applications get a permit the same day over the counter, or in 1 to 3 business days electronically.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Stockton?

Stockton's code: Yes, a permit is required to remove or effectively remove a heritage tree. (Applies to city heritage trees; emergency removal still needs a signed Director permit first.) (§ 16.72.245); No hearing, fee or replacement in an emergency, but a signed Director permit is still needed before removal. (Applies when the Director finds a heritage tree an imminent threat to public health, safety or welfare.) (§ 16.130.050).

What are the rules for building in a Stockton flood zone?

Stockton's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.44.130); The lowest floor, including basement, must be at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 15.44.150).

What are the grading rules in Stockton?

Stockton's code: Under 50 cubic yards of material; digs for a structure under a building permit with erosion conditions; well digs. (§ 15.48.090); If the Director requires it, submit an erosion and sediment control plan within 48 hours of notice. (Construction that disturbs less than one acre.) (§ 15.48.110).

What are the noise rules and construction hours in Stockton?

Stockton's code: No more than 65 dB Ldn of transportation noise. (Outdoor activity areas of proposed homes. This is a development standard.) (§ 16.60.040); No more than 45 dB Ldn of transportation noise. (Indoor spaces of proposed homes. This is a development standard.) (§ 16.60.040).

Can I run a family child care home in Stockton?

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

Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in Stockton?

Stockton's code: A drop-off, pick-up, loading and temporary parking area next to the main entrance is required. (Applies to residential care homes for 7 or more clients.) (§ 16.80.300); Parking security measures are required: security gates, fencing and night lighting. (Applies to residential care homes for 7 or more clients.) (§ 16.80.300).

General information, not legal advice.

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