A Resident's Guide to Clovis's Local Ordinances

Clovis is a mid-sized city in Fresno County, California, with about 120000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 112 ordinances across 25 categories that affect daily life in Clovis.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Open burning of vegetation and yard waste is banned in Clovis under San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Rule 4103. Residents must use green waste bins.

Also covered: Fireworks (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate), Backyard Fires (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Clovis for details.

Animal Ordinances

Livestock: Clovis restricts livestock to agricultural zones under CMC Title 9. Standard residential zones prohibit horses, cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry.

Also covered: Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Wildlife Feeding (moderate), Beekeeping (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Clovis for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: Permits required to remove street trees and trees protected by development conditions. Private-property trees typically permit-exempt.

Also covered: Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate), Heritage & Protected Trees (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Clovis for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Clovis juvenile curfew: minors under 18 prohibited in public places from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM (11 PM on weekends is typical but verify). Daytime truancy curfew applies during school hours..

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Clovis for details.

Trash & Recycling

Recycling Requirements: CA SB 1383 (effective 2022) mandates organic waste diversion for all residents and businesses. Clovis provides organics carts for food scraps and yard waste.

Also covered: Bulk Item Disposal (permissive), Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Clovis for details.

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: Clovis enforces permanent water conservation rules plus drought-stage restrictions. Outdoor watering limited to assigned days/times.

Also covered: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (moderate), Native Plants (permissive), Rainwater Harvesting (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Clovis for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Clovis enforces outdoor lighting standards under CMC Chapter 9 zoning requiring shielded fixtures to prevent glare and trespass. Not an official International Dark-Sky community, but foothill-adjacent development in east Clovis has stricter shielding standards..

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Clovis for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: No signs advertising a home occupation are permitted on residential property in Clovis. CMC §9.22 prohibits exterior evidence of the business including signs, displays, or lighting..

Also covered: Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Home Daycare (permissive). See the full home business guide for Clovis for details.

Noise Ordinances

Leaf Blower Rules: Clovis allows gas and electric leaf blowers during construction hours (7 AM-7 PM). No outright ban.

Also covered: Industrial Noise (moderate), Aircraft Noise (permissive), Outdoor Music (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Clovis for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Pool enclosure required per CA Building Code Ch. 31 / CBC §3109 and CA H&S §115920 (Pool Safety Act).

Also covered: Above-Ground Pools (moderate), Safety Rules (strict), Pool Permits (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Clovis for details.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Garage sale signs allowed on private property with owner permission. Limit typically 3 signs, max 4 sq ft each.

Also covered: Political Signs (permissive), Holiday Displays (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Clovis for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Noise Rules: STR guests must comply with Clovis quiet hours (10 PM-7 AM). Two substantiated noise complaints within 12 months can trigger STR permit revocation..

Also covered: Insurance Requirements (moderate), Taxes & Fees (moderate), Registration Rules (strict). See the full short-term rentals guide for Clovis for details.

Rental Property Rules

Just Cause Eviction: CA AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act) just-cause eviction applies in Clovis for most rentals. Clovis has NO additional local just-cause law.

Also covered: Rent Control (permissive), Rental Registration (permissive). See the full rental property rules guide for Clovis for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: ADUs allowed by-right in all Clovis residential zones per CA Gov Code §65852.2. Clovis ADU Ordinance (CMC Ch.

Also covered: Tiny Homes (moderate), Carport Rules (moderate), Shed Rules (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Clovis for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Door-to-door commercial solicitors in Clovis need a city business license and, for many activities, a solicitor/peddler permit with background check. Religious, political, and charitable canvassers are exempt due to First Amendment protections..

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Clovis for details.

Solar Energy

HOA Restrictions: CA Civil Code §714 (Solar Rights Act) prohibits HOAs and cities from unreasonably restricting solar installations. 'Reasonable' restrictions cannot cost >$1,000 or decrease system efficiency >10%.

Also covered: Panel Permits (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Clovis for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: CA Swimming Pool Safety Act (H&S §115920+) requires 60-inch minimum barrier, self-closing/self-latching gate, AND at least one additional drowning-prevention feature (pool cover, alarm, or self-latching door alarms) for all new pools and remodels..

Also covered: Material Restrictions (moderate), Retaining Walls (moderate), Fence Requirements (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Clovis for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: Clovis is a Phase II MS4 permittee under the State Water Board NPDES program. Only rainwater allowed in storm drains—no washwater, pool water, paint, or chemicals.

Also covered: Grading & Drainage (moderate), Flood Zones (moderate), Erosion Control (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Clovis for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Clovis has OPTED OUT of commercial cannabis. All storefront and non-storefront retail dispensaries, cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and distribution are PROHIBITED within city limits.

Also covered: Home Cultivation (strict). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Clovis for details.

Property Maintenance

Garage Sale Rules: Clovis permits residential garage sales without a permit, limited to a few per year per household. Signs on public right-of-way prohibited..

Also covered: Property Blight (moderate), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate), Trash Bin Storage (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Clovis for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Food trucks need Fresno County Environmental Health Mobile Food Facility permit, CA seller's permit, and Clovis business license. Operations on city streets/property require a site-specific permit.

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Clovis for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Lot Coverage Limits: Clovis lot coverage limits by zone per CMC Title 9: R-1 single-family 40% maximum building coverage; R-A 30%; R-2/R-3 50-60%. Coverage includes all structures, pools excluded..

Also covered: Setback Rules (moderate), Structure Height Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Clovis for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Clovis typically does NOT require a separate garage sale permit—residents simply follow frequency, time, and signage rules. Some neighborhoods with HOAs may have stricter rules..

Also covered: Frequency Limits (moderate), Time Restrictions (moderate). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Clovis for details.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR may not park on residential streets or in residential zones except for active loading. Business fleet vehicles must park at business premises.

Also covered: EV Charging (permissive), Street Parking Limits (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Clovis for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Recreational drone pilots must pass TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test), register drones 250g+, stay under 400 ft, and follow FAA airspace rules. California Pen.

Also covered: Commercial Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Clovis for details.

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in Clovis. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.