Tracy · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Tracy
Tracy sets its own fence limits and has its own article on home occupations. Fence height depends on the yard, how see-through the fence is, public easements and nearby reverse-corner driveways.
Key points
- Fence height: In residential zones, Tracy limits fences to 3 feet in required front yards, or 4 feet if at least 50% see-through.
- Other fence limits: Tracy limits fences to 8 feet on parts of a residential lot not otherwise restricted, and to 6 feet for any public easement.
- Home businesses: Tracy has its own article on home occupations (Art. 36 of Ch. 10.08).
Each rule below is marked Tracy code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Tracy code In residential zones, Tracy limits fences to 3 feet in required front yards, or 4 feet if at least 50% see-through. Tracy limits fences to 8 feet on parts of a residential lot not otherwise restricted, and to 6 feet for any public easement.
Solar panels and EV chargers
| Solar permit process |
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Swimming pools
| Setback from property lines |
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Pets, chickens and bees
Tracy code Allowed; more than 200 rabbits or poultry in all needs a special Council permit. At least 25 feet from any home, school, church or hospital.
All 5 Tracy rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Tracy code A development permit is needed before any construction or development begins. No fill, new construction, substantial improvement or other new development unless certified to cause no flood level increase.
All 3 Tracy rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
| How the park fee is set |
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| Parkland per 1,000 residents |
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Noise and construction hours
| Quiet hours |
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| Noise limit at homes |
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Garage and yard sales
| Hours |
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| How long a sale may last |
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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 |
Group homes and residential care
| Homes for 6 or fewer |
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Home alarm permits and false alarms
Tracy code A fee set to recover the City's response costs. 2 false alarms per alarm system in a fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) have no recoverable costs.
All 3 Tracy rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
| Signs that need no permit |
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Trash and recycling carts
Tracy code Participate in the City's residential recycling program and subscribe to recyclable materials collection service. Separate organic materials. Do not put them in a refuse container, City disposal facility or recyclable materials container.
All 4 Tracy rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Tracy rules on this
Tracy's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Home occupations (Art. 36 of Ch. 10.08)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Tracy?
Tracy has its own article on home occupations (Art. 36 of Ch. 10.08). Tracy also has a related rule: Home occupations (Art. 36 of Ch. 10.08).
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Tracy?
Tracy's code: A building permit issues for a complete application meeting the checklist; only 1 inspection. (§ 9.66.030).
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Tracy?
Tracy's code: At least 5 feet from any side or rear property line. (Applies to pools on residentially zoned property.) (§ 10.08.3300).
What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Tracy?
Tracy's code: The exact obligation is set in the implementing resolution for the applicable park fee. (Fee instead of park land, required at tentative map or building permit approval.) (§ 13.12.080); 4 acres of park land per 1,000 residents. (§ 13.12.080).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Tracy?
Tracy's code: 55 decibels. (1-hour average, at or beyond the property line, in residential districts.) (§ 4.12.750); 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (No air hammers, pile drivers, steam shovels, derricks, hoists, parking lot cleaners or other unusually loud equipment.) (§ 4.12.820).
What are the garage sale rules in Tracy?
Tracy's code: No more than 3 consecutive days, or 2 consecutive weekends totaling no more than 4 days. (Only 1 sale in any 4-month period.) (§ 10.08.3170); 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Residentially zoned property.) (§ 10.08.3170).
Can I run a family child care home in Tracy?
California law sets this for every city, including Tracy: 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 Tracy?
Tracy's code: Permitted by a use-by-right process; considered a residential use and family dwelling. (Applies to residential care facilities serving 6 or fewer persons.) (§ 10.10.110).
What signs may I put up at my home in Tracy?
Tracy's code: Signs up to 20 square feet per face and no more than 5 feet above grade are exempt. (No electrical wiring or lighting attached to the sign. Exempt from the sign chapter.) (§ 9.28.100).
General information, not legal advice.
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