Twentynine Palms · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Twentynine Palms
Twentynine Palms sets its own rules for home businesses and has its own chapters on fences and accessory structures. A home business needs a Home Occupation Permit and a city business license.
Key points
- Home businesses: Twentynine Palms limits home-business storage to 500 square feet and allows at most 2 persons outside the family, with a permit and business license.
- Fences and walls: Twentynine Palms has its own chapter on fences, walls and screens.
- Accessory structures: Twentynine Palms has its own chapter on accessory uses and structures.
Each rule below is marked Twentynine Palms code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Running a business from home
| Space used |
|
|---|---|
| Employees |
|
| Permit |
|
Solar panels and EV chargers
| Solar permit process |
|
|---|
Pets, chickens and bees
Twentynine Palms code Yes; 50 poultry per acre, maximum 200. Yes; 100 poultry per acre.
All 14 Twentynine Palms rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
Twentynine Palms code A detailed geologic report is required. Grading should be minimized within 20 feet of the development's outer property lines.
All 3 Twentynine Palms rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
Twentynine Palms code 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
All 8 Twentynine Palms rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| Fixture height |
|
|---|---|
| Light at the property line |
|
| Shielding |
|
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 |
Signs on homes
Twentynine Palms code Remove political signs within 10 days after the election; later, the City may remove them at the candidate's expense. Real estate and directional signs up to 32 sq ft need no sign permit; a building permit may still apply.
All 4 Twentynine Palms rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Twentynine Palms code Subscribe to solid waste services with a franchisee, or register and stay registered as a self-hauler. No subscription required.
All 6 Twentynine Palms rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Twentynine Palms code Planning Commission permission is required before restoring, altering, constructing or changing the appearance. The Planning Commission may approve, conditionally approve or disapprove demolition or removal.
All 3 Twentynine Palms rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Twentynine Palms rules on this
Twentynine Palms's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Accessory uses and structures (Ch. 19.70)
- Fences, walls and screens (Ch. 19.74)
- Permit to remove or trim a Western Joshua tree (Ch. 19.98) — Western Joshua trees only
- Building in flood hazard areas (§ 19.62.160)
- Hillside grading and land clearing (Ch. 19.64)
- Development impact fee (§ 19.90.080)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Twentynine Palms?
Twentynine Palms has its own chapter on fences, walls and screens. Twentynine Palms also has a related rule: Fences, walls and screens (Ch. 19.74).
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Twentynine Palms?
Twentynine Palms has its own chapter on accessory uses and structures. Twentynine Palms also has a related rule: Accessory uses and structures (Ch. 19.70).
Can I run a business from my home in Twentynine Palms?
Twentynine Palms limits home-business storage to 500 square feet and allows at most 2 persons outside the family, with a permit and business license.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Twentynine Palms?
Twentynine Palms's code: Administrative approval and permit within a reasonable time after a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plans. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 18.08.040).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Twentynine Palms?
Twentynine Palms's code: Fully shielded. (All outdoor lighting except listed exemptions, such as small entry-door lights and holiday lights.) (§ 19.78.050); No more than 0.05 foot-candle. (Neighboring residential property, measured at the structure and rear setback line.) (§ 19.78.050).
Can I run a family child care home in Twentynine Palms?
California law sets this for every city, including Twentynine Palms: 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.
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