Fullerton, CA

Fullerton Municipal Code Chapter 15.90 establishes quiet hours during which noise that disturbs the peace of residential neighborhoods is prohibited. Nighttime quiet hours run from 10 PM to 7 AM on weekdays and 10 PM to 8 AM on weekends and holidays. During these hours, any noise audible beyond the property line of a residential dwelling that disturbs or could disturb a person of normal sensitivity is unlawful. The ordinance covers amplified music, loud gatherings, barking dogs, mechanical equipment, and other sources of unreasonable noise.

Fullerton Municipal Code Chapter 15.90 restricts construction activity in or adjacent to residential zones to specific daytime hours. Construction, demolition, grading, and similar activities are permitted Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 8 PM and on Saturdays from 8 AM to 5 PM. Construction is prohibited on Sundays and city-observed holidays. All construction equipment must be properly muffled and maintained in good working order. The city may grant after-hours construction permits for public works projects or emergency situations.

Fullerton Municipal Code Chapter 15.90 establishes exterior noise standards based on zoning district and time of day. Residential zones are subject to a 55 dBA limit during daytime hours (7 AM to 10 PM) and a 50 dBA limit during nighttime hours (10 PM to 7 AM). Commercial zones are held to 65 dBA at all hours, and industrial zones to 70 dBA. These limits are measured at the property line of the receiving property using the A-weighted decibel scale. Short-duration noise events may be allowed higher levels under adjustment provisions.

Fullerton Municipal Code Chapter 15.90 regulates outdoor amplified music and sound-producing devices. Radios, televisions, loudspeakers, and similar devices that produce sound audible beyond the property line at levels exceeding the applicable exterior noise standards constitute a violation. During quiet hours (10 PM to 7 AM weekdays, 10 PM to 8 AM weekends), any amplified sound audible from a neighboring residence is subject to enforcement. Fullerton's vibrant downtown district along Harbor Boulevard hosts numerous live music venues, but residential properties adjacent to the entertainment area retain standard noise protections.

Fullerton regulates short-term rentals (defined as stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days) through a permitting framework administered by the Community and Economic Development Department. All short-term rental operators must obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit before listing or renting their property. The permit process requires proof of property ownership or written landlord authorization, a valid Fullerton business license, Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration, evidence of liability insurance, and designation of a local contact person available 24 hours a day within 30 minutes of the property.

Fullerton imposes annual night caps and operational limits on short-term rentals to preserve housing availability and residential neighborhood character. Non-owner-occupied (whole-home) short-term rentals are limited to a maximum of 100 rental nights per calendar year. Owner-occupied hosted rentals where the owner remains on-site during guest stays are not subject to the annual night cap. Additionally, only one STR permit is issued per property owner within the city. No more than one short-term rental unit may operate on any single parcel, and minimum stay requirements may apply in certain residential zones.

Fullerton requires all short-term rental operators to register with the city and comply with specific listing and operational rules. Each STR must display its city-issued permit number in all online listings and advertisements. Operators must collect and remit the city's Transient Occupancy Tax on every booking. The property must pass a safety inspection covering smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, and emergency egress. Maximum occupancy is limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons, and the property address, house rules, emergency contact information, and quiet-hours notice must be posted inside the unit.

Fullerton prohibits open burning of trash, yard waste, construction debris, and other materials on residential properties under South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 444 and local fire code. Recreational fires in approved fire pits and fireplaces are permitted with specific conditions, but burning of leaves, branches, lumber, and household waste is strictly prohibited year-round. Fullerton is within the SCAQMD jurisdiction, and all open burning regulations are enforced by both the Fullerton Fire Department and SCAQMD. Burn permits are not available for residential properties.

Fullerton permits recreational fires in portable and permanently installed fire pits and outdoor fireplaces on residential properties, subject to California Fire Code requirements and SCAQMD air quality regulations. Fire pits must be located at least 15 feet from any structure, fence, or combustible material. The fire must be contained within an approved non-combustible container with a spark screen. Only clean, dry, untreated firewood or manufactured fire logs may be burned. A garden hose or fire extinguisher must be readily accessible. All recreational fires are subject to SCAQMD mandatory no-burn day restrictions.

Fullerton is located in Orange County and falls within the jurisdiction of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Under SCAQMD Rule 445, wood-burning in fireplaces, wood stoves, and outdoor fire pits is prohibited on mandatory No-Burn days when PM2.5 particulate matter forecasts exceed the federal 24-hour health standard. Open burning of trash, vegetation, construction debris, and other materials is prohibited year-round within Fullerton city limits under both SCAQMD regulations and the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) rules. Gas fireplaces and EPA-certified pellet stoves are generally exempt from No-Burn day restrictions.

Fullerton enforces a 72-hour maximum parking limit on all public streets, consistent with California Vehicle Code Section 22651(k). No vehicle may remain parked in the same location on a public street for more than 72 consecutive hours without being moved. Numerous streets near Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton College, and the downtown entertainment district have posted time-limit restrictions — commonly 2-hour limits during business hours — to manage heavy student and visitor parking demand. Street sweeping schedules require vehicles to be moved on posted days and hours.

Fullerton restricts the parking and storage of recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, and other oversized vehicles in residential areas. RVs and boats parked on public streets are subject to the 72-hour maximum parking rule and may not be parked on residential streets for extended periods. On private residential property, RVs, boats, and trailers must be stored behind the front building setback line, ideally in a side or rear yard, and screened from public view to the extent feasible. Living in or occupying an RV as a dwelling on any residential property in Fullerton is prohibited.

Fullerton regulates vehicle parking on private residential property to maintain neighborhood character and ensure safety. Vehicles parked on driveways must rest on a paved or approved hard surface and may not extend beyond the property line into the public sidewalk or right-of-way. Inoperable, unregistered, or dismantled vehicles may not be stored in open view on driveways, front yards, or side yards. Garage spaces counted toward the zoning code's required parking must remain available for vehicle parking and may not be converted to living space without providing replacement parking or qualifying under state ADU provisions.

Fullerton restricts the parking and storage of large commercial vehicles on residential streets and in residential zones to preserve neighborhood character and ensure street safety. Vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or commercial vehicles over 22 feet in length generally may not be parked on residential streets overnight. Standard-size work trucks and vans that fall under these thresholds are generally permitted. Short-term parking for active loading and unloading during business hours is allowed for all commercial vehicles.

Fullerton's zoning code establishes maximum height limits for fences and walls based on their location on the property. In front yards of residential zones, fences and walls are generally limited to 42 inches (3.5 feet) to maintain open streetscape character and driver sight lines. In side yards and rear yards, fences may reach a maximum of 6 feet in height as measured from the finished grade on the higher side. Retaining walls with fences on top are measured from the lowest adjacent finished grade, so the combined structure may not exceed 6 feet unless a variance is approved. Corner lots and properties at street intersections must maintain sight-distance triangles with reduced fence heights.

Fullerton regulates fence and wall construction through its municipal code and the locally adopted California Building Code. Standard wood, vinyl, or chain-link fences that comply with zoning height limits and do not exceed 6 feet in side and rear yards generally do not require a building permit. However, masonry, concrete block, brick, or stone walls exceeding 3.5 feet in exposed height require a building permit supported by engineered structural drawings. Any fence or wall exceeding 6 feet in total height requires both a building permit and a zoning variance from the Planning Commission.

Disputes between Fullerton neighbors over shared boundary fences are governed primarily by California Civil Code Section 841, the state's Good Neighbor Fence Law. The statute presumes that adjoining landowners share equal responsibility for the reasonable costs of constructing, maintaining, and replacing a fence along their common property line. Before incurring costs the initiating owner intends to recover, that party must deliver at least 30 days' written notice to the neighbor describing the proposed work, estimated cost, and cost-sharing arrangement. The City of Fullerton's zoning code does not override the state neighbor fence law, but local height limits, material standards, and setback requirements continue to apply to any fence built along a boundary line.

Fullerton requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet whenever they are off the owner's property on any public street, sidewalk, park, trail, or other public area. Dogs must be under the control of a responsible person capable of restraining the animal at all times. The City of Fullerton operates designated off-leash dog parks where dogs may be exercised without a leash under their owner's direct supervision. All dogs four months of age and older must be licensed through the City of Fullerton and carry a current rabies vaccination. Animal control services are provided by the Fullerton Police Department.

The City of Fullerton regulates the keeping of chickens, livestock, and farm animals through its Zoning Ordinance. In standard single-family residential zones (R-1), Fullerton allows a limited number of hens (female chickens) without a special permit, but roosters are prohibited in all residential areas due to noise concerns. Larger livestock such as horses, goats, pigs, and cattle are generally restricted to properties in agricultural or equestrian-overlay zones that meet minimum lot-size requirements. Multi-family residential zones (R-2, R-3) do not permit poultry or livestock keeping. All animal enclosures must meet setback requirements from neighboring structures and property lines, and properties must be maintained in a sanitary condition free from odor, pest attraction, and excessive noise. Fullerton's approach is moderate compared to many Orange County cities, allowing backyard hens on qualifying single-family lots while maintaining restrictions on noisier and larger animals.

The City of Fullerton has no breed-specific legislation restricting or banning any particular dog breed. California state law expressly preempts local breed-specific bans: Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 prohibits any city or county from declaring a specific dog breed to be inherently dangerous or vicious. Animal control services in Fullerton are provided by OC Animal Care (Orange County Animal Care), and all regulations are entirely behavior-based, applying equally to every breed. Individual dogs that have demonstrated dangerous behavior may be declared potentially dangerous or vicious regardless of breed, and their owners become subject to additional confinement, insurance, and spay/neuter requirements.

The City of Fullerton regulates tree trimming and removal through its Municipal Code and the Public Works Department's Maintenance Services Division. Trees located in the public right-of-way — including street trees, parkway trees, and trees in medians — are city property and may not be trimmed, pruned, or removed by private individuals without prior written authorization from the Public Works Department. Fullerton maintains an active urban forestry program and contracts for regular maintenance of city-owned trees on a rotating cycle. For trees on private property, Fullerton does not require a permit for routine pruning and maintenance. However, the removal of significant or protected trees may require review under the city's environmental regulations, particularly if the property is in a hillside area or subject to a specific plan with tree preservation requirements. Fullerton encourages property owners to hire International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborists for any major tree work.

The City of Fullerton requires property owners and occupants to maintain their yards and landscaped areas in a clean, orderly condition as part of its property maintenance and nuisance abatement ordinances. Grass, weeds, and vegetation on residential and commercial properties must not be allowed to grow to excessive heights that create a fire hazard, harbor rodents or vermin, or constitute a visual blight. While the Fullerton Municipal Code does not specify a single numeric inch limit for grass height in all contexts, the city's code enforcement practice treats unmaintained vegetation exceeding approximately 12 inches as presumptively excessive and subject to a notice of violation. Properties must be kept free of dead vegetation, overgrown landscaping, and any growth that obstructs public sidewalks or rights-of-way. Fullerton's Code Enforcement Division conducts both complaint-driven and proactive inspections to ensure compliance.

The City of Fullerton requires property owners to maintain their properties free from excessive weeds, brush, and overgrown vegetation through its nuisance abatement and property maintenance ordinances. Uncontrolled weed growth is treated as a public nuisance that can harbor rodents and vermin, create fire hazards during dry seasons, reduce property values, and detract from neighborhood aesthetics. Fullerton's Code Enforcement Division enforces weed abatement standards on both occupied and vacant parcels, with particular attention to vacant lots and unimproved properties that are especially prone to unchecked growth. The city participates in seasonal weed abatement programs coordinated with the Orange County Fire Authority to address fire-prone vegetation on properties adjacent to open space and hillside areas. Property owners receive notice and a compliance deadline before any fines or city-performed abatement costs are imposed.

The City of Fullerton permits home-based businesses (home occupations) in residential zones subject to zoning regulations designed to preserve the residential character of neighborhoods. A home occupation in Fullerton must be clearly incidental and secondary to the primary residential use of the property. The business must be conducted entirely within the dwelling unit by the residents of the home, must not alter the residential appearance of the property, and must not generate noise, traffic, odor, or other impacts that exceed what is normal for the neighborhood. Fullerton requires a home occupation permit or business license for home-based businesses, and the application is reviewed by the Community Development Department to ensure compliance with zoning standards. Prohibited home occupations include auto repair, manufacturing, warehousing, and any activity requiring walk-in retail customers.

The City of Fullerton prohibits exterior signage for home-based businesses (home occupations) in residential zones. As a core condition of Fullerton's home occupation regulations, the business must not be evident from the exterior of the dwelling or from the street, and no signs, placards, banners, window displays, or other advertising visible from the outside of the home are permitted. This strict prohibition on home business signage is designed to preserve the residential character and visual consistency of Fullerton's neighborhoods. The prohibition extends to all sign types — including temporary signs, A-frame signs on driveways or sidewalks, vehicle-mounted signs parked in front of the home, and illuminated displays. Businesses that require exterior signage to attract customers must operate from a commercially zoned location where the city's commercial sign regulations apply.

The City of Fullerton's home occupation regulations strictly limit customer and client traffic at residential properties where home-based businesses operate. The fundamental requirement is that a home occupation must not generate vehicular or pedestrian traffic that exceeds what is normal for the residential neighborhood. Walk-in retail customers, regular client appointments that bring a steady stream of visitors, and any activity that produces noticeable increases in vehicles parked on the street or in the driveway are generally incompatible with Fullerton's home occupation standards. Businesses that inherently require customer visits — such as retail shops, hair salons, medical offices, tutoring centers with multiple students, and repair services — must operate from commercially zoned locations. Limited, infrequent client meetings may be permissible if they do not create a pattern of increased traffic visible to neighbors.