Upland · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Upland
Upland sets its own limits on accessory structures and home businesses. Accessory setbacks depend on openings, fire walls and distance from the front property line, and some businesses may not run from a home.
Key points
- Accessory height: Upland limits accessory structures in residential zones to one story and 15 feet, except play equipment in the side or rear yard.
- Accessory size: Upland limits accessory structures, not counting detached garages, carports, spas and pools, to 10% of the lot or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less.
- Home businesses: Upland limits minor home businesses to 6 clients or visitors a day and major ones to 12.
Each rule below is marked Upland code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Upland code Upland limits accessory structures in residential zones to one story and 15 feet, except play equipment in the side or rear yard. Upland limits accessory structures, not counting detached garages, carports, spas and pools, to 10% of the lot or 1,000 sq ft, whichever is less.
All 10 Upland rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Upland code Upland limits minor home businesses to 6 clients or visitors a day and major ones to 12.
All 3 Upland rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Upland code Each new lot must be between 40% and 60% of the original lot area. More than 500 and no more than 800 square feet; an existing home over 800 square feet may not expand.
All 9 Upland rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Upland code In an enclosed garage, interior side yard or rear yard. Allowed up to 72 hours on a driveway or paved surface, perpendicular to the street, not over the sidewalk.
All 5 Upland rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Pet limit |
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|---|
Also in Upland's code: Limit on dogs and cats per home (§ 6.04.115); Permit to keep homing pigeons (Ch. 6.16). This page does not summarize it yet.
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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|---|
Grading and erosion control
| Grading without a permit |
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|---|
Also in Upland's code: Grading permits (Ch. 15.52). This page does not summarize it yet.
Noise and construction hours
Upland code Weekdays, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Noise at the property line may not exceed the ambient base level by 5 dB(A).
All 7 Upland rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
Upland code Fixtures not fully shielded only if under 3,000 Kelvin and/or 750 lumens each. Zero measurable foot-candles at the property line.
All 4 Upland rules on outdoor lighting, 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 |
Group homes and residential care
| Homes for 6 or fewer |
|
|---|
Parking spaces required for homes
Upland code 1 for each unit, in a garage. 2 for each unit, in a garage.
All 11 Upland rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Upland code First false alarm: no fine. Later ones: fine set by city council resolution, paid within 15 days of invoice. No fine for false alarms in the first 30 days after the system is first activated.
All 4 Upland rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Upland code Up to 6 square feet. Up to 4 feet overall height.
Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
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|---|---|
| When carts may go to the curb |
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| Where carts are kept |
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Historic homes
Upland code A Certificate of Appropriateness is required. A historic resources demolition permit is required.
Other Upland rules on this
Upland's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Limit on dogs and cats per home (§ 6.04.115)
- Permit to keep homing pigeons (Ch. 6.16)
- Draining a pool into the street (§ 12.16.040)
- Yard sale rules (§ 5.20.070)
- Grading permits (Ch. 15.52)
- Capital impact fees (Ch. 3.44)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules for building in an Upland flood zone?
Upland's code: All proposed construction or other development in the city needs a development permit. (So the city can check whether it is in a special flood hazard area.) (§ 15.56.080).
What are the grading rules in Upland?
Upland's code: Fill less than 12 inches deep, placed on natural terrain, not supporting structures and not blocking a drainage course. (The fill must not significantly change the amount or direction of drainage runoff from the property.) (§ 15.52.030).
Can I run a family child care home in Upland?
California law sets this for every city, including Upland: 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 Upland?
Upland's code: Subject to the same regulations as single-family homes. (Applies to small residential care facilities (6 residents or fewer).) (§ 17.36.020).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Upland?
Upland's code: Before 10:00 p.m. on the day the containers have been emptied. (§ 13.28.510); Not before sunset of the day preceding the day designated for collection (§ 13.28.510).
General information, not legal advice.
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