Ontario caps single-family homes at 35 feet or 2 stories under OMC Chapter 9, and land near ONT International Airport triggers FAA Part 77 height review for anything over 200 feet or within the runway-protection zone.
Under Ontario Municipal Code Chapter 9 (Zoning), single-family residential districts (R-1, R-2) limit principal structures to 35 feet or two stories, whichever is less. Accessory structures are limited to 15 feet in most districts, with ADU height caps of 16 feet for detached and 25 feet for attached units under Government Code 65852.2. Commercial and industrial districts permit taller structures subject to floor-area ratios and setback step-backs. Because Ontario International Airport is inside the City limits, any structure proposed within the Part 77 surfaces or taller than 200 feet above ground level must file FAA Form 7460-1 with the Federal Aviation Administration and obtain a No Hazard determination. Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) adopted by the San Bernardino County Airport Land Use Commission also restricts residential density and building heights in airport influence zones. Rooftop solar, HVAC, and parapets count toward height in Ontario unless explicitly exempted. Variances require Planning Commission review.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Ontario, CA
Outdoor music is regulated under OMC Title 5 Chapter 29 and the special-event permit process. Venues and events with amplified sound need a city permit; resi...
Ontario, CA
Aircraft noise from Ontario International Airport (ONT) is regulated by the FAA, not the city. ONT runs an FAA Part 150 noise compatibility program; federal ...
Ontario, CA
Ontario requires a building permit for masonry walls and any fence over 7 feet under the California Building Code. Retaining walls over 4 feet also require p...
Ontario, CA
Ontario fence requirements include zoning-based heights, setbacks, sight triangles, buffer walls on industrial edges, and CBC structural standards. Pool, ret...
Ontario, CA
Ontario limits residential fence heights under the Development Code. Typical maximums are 6 feet rear/side, 3 feet front, and 42 inches in sight-distance tri...
Ontario, CA
Ontario requires dogs to be leashed off-property under OMC Title 6. Maximum leash length is 6 feet, with owner control required in all public spaces except d...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle structure height limits.
See how Ontario's structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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