YardPermit

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California

California cities tend to be specific about fence height in front yards, accessory-dwelling rules, and wildfire-adjacent building. State ADU law overlays local zoning — it does not erase building permits.

Editorial coverage: 2 of 3 listed cities currently have dated official sources. A city without them has no page yet.

Cities on the survey

  • Los AngelesSources checked 2026-09-28

    Los Angeles uses property-specific zoning and overlay information, so a citywide rule of thumb is not enough. Start with ZIMAS, identify which zoning code applies to the parcel, then route the project through the relevant planning and building review.

  • San DiegoSources checked 2026-09-30

    San Diego writes its own permit exemptions, and some are tighter than the model code's: a retaining wall is exempt only to 3 feet. Zoning sets fence and wall heights yard by yard, and coastal, historic and sensitive-land rules can take an exemption away.

  • San JoseResearch queue

What needs no permit in California’s checked cities

One row per project: the line under which no building permit is needed in the model code and in Los Angeles’s and San Diego’s own text. Each city page cites the code section behind its figures; zoning, easements and HOA rules still apply to exempt work.

ProjectModel codeLos AngelesSan Diego
FenceUp to 7 ftUp to 10 ft, pool barriers excepted; 3 ft 6 in for masonry or concreteUp to 7 ft, pool barriers aside; zoning caps each yard
Deck200 sq ft, 30 in above grade, freestanding, not at the required exit doorUp to 30 in above grade, not over a basement; no area limit200 sq ft, 30 in above grade, detached, not the required exit
Shed200 sq ft, one story, detached; 120 sq ft for tool and storage sheds120 sq ft, one story, no heating, plumbing or wiring120 sq ft of projected roof, one story, on the ground
PatioNames sidewalks and driveways, not patiosNo patio line; an awning to 4 ft from the wall is exemptNo slab line; a cover to 300 sq ft in the RS and RX zones
DrivewaySidewalks and driveways exemptExempt to 30 in above grade; a curb cut needs city approvalUp to 30 in above grade; right-of-way work needs a permit
PergolaFreestanding: up to 200 sq ft; attached: not on the listFreestanding, up to 400 sq ft, outside any fire districtNo line; the nearest is the 300 sq ft patio cover
Retaining WallUp to 4 ft from the bottom of the footing, no surchargeUp to 4 ft, no surcharge or sloping earth, never on a slope over 1 in 5Up to 3 ft from the top of the footing, no surcharge
PoolPrefabricated and under 24 in deepUp to 24 in deep and 250 sq ft of water surfacePrefabricated, walls above grade, up to 5,000 gallons
GazeboUp to 200 sq ft of floor area, one story, detachedNo gazebo line; sheds and similar uses to 120 sq ftNo line; the nearest are the 120 sq ft shed and 300 sq ft patio cover
GarageUp to 200 sq ft of floor area, one story, detachedNo garage line; sheds and similar uses to 120 sq ftNo line; the nearest is the 120 sq ft shed
ADUNone: a new dwelling unit takes a permitNone; a complete application decided within 60 daysAlways needs a permit, decided without a hearing

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