Yorba Linda · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Yorba Linda
Yorba Linda sets fence heights by location, with the lowest limit in the front yard directly in front of the house. The city sets accessory structure setbacks by height and size, and limits home businesses to one non-resident employee.
Key points
- Fence height: Yorba Linda limits fences directly in front of the house to 36 inches; side and rear lines off the street, 6 feet.
- Accessory structures: In Yorba Linda, one-story accessory structures over 15 feet or 1,000 square feet must meet the setbacks for main buildings.
- Home business: Yorba Linda allows a home business 1 employee who does not live on the site.
Each rule below is marked Yorba Linda code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Yorba Linda code Yorba Linda limits fences directly in front of the house to 36 inches; side and rear lines off the street, 6 feet.
All 12 Yorba Linda rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Yorba Linda code In Yorba Linda, one-story accessory structures over 15 feet or 1,000 square feet must meet the setbacks for main buildings.
All 15 Yorba Linda rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
| Employees |
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Lot splits under SB 9
Yorba Linda code Neither new lot can be smaller than 40% of the original lot's area. Each unit is 800 square feet of floor area.
All 11 Yorba Linda rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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|---|---|
| Solar permit process |
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Tree removal
Yorba Linda code Yes, a permit is required. Yes, a permit is required.
All 3 Yorba Linda rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Swimming pools
| Equipment and alarms |
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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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Grading and erosion control
Yorba Linda code A grading permit may be required to stockpile or remove more than 50 cubic yards of extra dirt. No permit for 50 cubic yards or less of digging or fill per lot within depth, slope and drainage limits.
All 3 Yorba Linda rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
Yorba Linda code Retaining walls seen from off-site should be no higher than 6 feet and must be screened with plants. Up to 3 tiered retaining walls, 9 to 12 feet each, with at least 4 feet of planted terrace between.
All 3 Yorba Linda rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
Yorba Linda code 55 dB(A) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 50 dB(A) from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
All 5 Yorba Linda rules on noise and construction hours, 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
Yorba Linda code A conditional use permit from the Planning Commission is required. Permitted in all residential zones, subject only to the development standards of the zone.
All 5 Yorba Linda rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
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Signs on homes
Yorba Linda code Signs may be displayed for no more than 10 consecutive days. Trespassing and property alarm signs less than 2 square feet need no permit.
All 9 Yorba Linda rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Yorba Linda code Subscribe to solid waste collection services with a franchisee, or register as a self-hauler and obtain a self-hauler permit. Not required during the period of vacancy.
All 6 Yorba Linda rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Yorba Linda rules on this
Yorba Linda's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Keeping animals at home (Ch. 18.20, Art. 7)
- Street parking of wide vehicles and trailers (§ 10.28.190) — on public streets
- Park and recreation impact fees (Ch. 15.56)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Yorba Linda?
Yorba Linda allows a home business 1 employee who does not live on the site.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Yorba Linda?
Yorba Linda's code: Expedited administrative, nondiscretionary review; complete applications meeting the Checklist get all permits; only 1 inspection. (Rooftop solar; apply in person or electronically.) (§ 18.10.140); The Building Official administratively approves a complete application that meets this chapter and all health and safety rules. (EV charging stations; apply in person or electronically.) (§ 15.60.050).
What are the rules for building in a Yorba Linda flood zone?
Yorba Linda's code: A Floodplain Development Permit is needed before construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.12.110); The lowest floor, including a basement, must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in special flood hazard areas; nonresidential buildings may be floodproofed instead.) (§ 15.12.140).
Can I run a family child care home in Yorba Linda?
California law sets this for every city, including Yorba Linda: 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 Yorba Linda?
Yorba Linda's code: The cost of the Orange County Sheriff's Department response to an intentional false alarm, determined by City Council resolution. (Intentional false alarms.) (§ 8.12.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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