Tehachapi · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Tehachapi
Tehachapi sets its own limit on keeping dogs near other homes. The city code also has chapters on fences and screening, accessory structures, and home occupation standards and permits.
Key points
- Dogs: City rule: the limit is 2 dogs over 4 months old within 250 feet of a home occupied by someone other than the owner.
- Fences: Tehachapi has its own city section on fences and screening.
- Accessory structures: Tehachapi has its own city section on accessory structures.
- Home businesses: Tehachapi has city home occupation standards and a city home occupation permit procedure.
Each rule below is marked Tehachapi code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Pets, chickens and bees
| Pet limit |
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|---|
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
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| Height of the lowest floor |
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Park and impact fees for new homes
Tehachapi code The fee equals the value of the land that would have been dedicated. The city standard is 3 acres of parkland for each 1,000 residents.
All 4 Tehachapi rules on park and impact fees for new homes, 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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
|
|---|---|
| False alarms before a fee |
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Trash and recycling carts
| Where carts are kept |
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|---|
Other Tehachapi rules on this
Tehachapi's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Accessory structures (§ 4.20.020)
- Fences and screening (§ 4.40.080)
- Home occupation standards (§ 6.20.080)
- Home occupation permit procedure (Ch. 9.40)
- Parking and living in RVs, boats and trailers (§ 10.16.010)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Tehachapi?
Tehachapi has its own city section on fences and screening. Tehachapi also has a related rule: Fences and screening (§ 4.40.080).
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Tehachapi?
Tehachapi has its own city section on accessory structures. Tehachapi also has a related rule: Accessory structures (§ 4.20.020).
Can I run a business from my home in Tehachapi?
Tehachapi has city home occupation standards and a city home occupation permit procedure. Tehachapi also has a related rule: Home occupation standards (§ 6.20.080); Home occupation permit procedure (Ch. 9.40).
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Tehachapi?
City rule: the limit is 2 dogs over 4 months old within 250 feet of a home occupied by someone other than the owner.
What are the rules for building in a Tehachapi flood zone?
Tehachapi's code: A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in a special flood hazard or flood-related erosion area. (§ 15.12.130); The lowest floor, including basement, must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved structures, including homes, in special flood hazard areas other than Zones AH and AO.) (§ 15.12.160).
Can I run a family child care home in Tehachapi?
California law sets this for every city, including Tehachapi: 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 Tehachapi?
Tehachapi's code: A charge applies for each false alarm after the second. The Code or a city council fee schedule sets it. (More than 2 false alarms within 12 months.) (§ 8.70.040); 2 false alarms within 12 months are free. (§ 8.70.040).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Tehachapi?
Tehachapi's code: Store receptacles not within the front setback, and not on a public street, sidewalk or alley. (On days that are not collection days.) (§ 8.04.100).
General information, not legal advice.
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