Before You Build in Hemet, CA: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

The City of Hemet's own zoning code (Chapter 90) limits fences, walls, screening, and hedges in single-family residential zones to a maximum of six feet in height in any required yard, but only 42 inches in a required front yard. Front-yard and corner-lot limits protect driver sight lines. These are city rules, not Riverside County's.

The City of Hemet's Building & Safety Division lists fences and walls among activities that require a permit, so building or replacing a fence or wall in Hemet calls for city review. Separately, the statewide California Building Code exempts fences up to seven feet and retaining walls up to four feet.

The City of Hemet's zoning code sets fence height and corner sight-distance limits, but who pays for a shared boundary fence is governed by California's Good Neighbor Fence Act, Civil Code Section 841. Adjoining owners are presumed to share equally in the reasonable cost, and an owner must give 30 days' written notice before charging a neighbor.

Hemet's zoning code does not publish a standalone retaining-wall height limit; the controlling standard is the California Building Code, which requires a permit for retaining walls over four feet (bottom of footing to top) or any wall supporting a surcharge. The city's Building & Safety Division reviews these walls, and a fence on top counts toward the fence height rules.

Standard materials such as wood, masonry, and wrought iron are generally allowed for fences in Hemet's residential zones, subject to the city's height and sight-distance limits (Section 90-315). Commercial and manufacturing zones are stricter: under Section 90-1046, street-facing fences must be decorative block or wrought iron, and wood is barred for interior industrial fencing. These are City of Hemet standards.

The City of Hemet requires a building permit for any swimming pool 24 inches deep or greater, or whenever electrical work is added or altered for pool equipment. Plans must be submitted to the Building & Safety Division, and Planning Division approval is also required before construction.

Hemet enforces the California Pool Safety Act: new or remodeled residential pools must include at least two of seven drowning-prevention features. An enclosure must be at least 60 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates latching no lower than 60 inches and gaps under 2 inches at the ground.

Beyond barriers, Hemet requires anti-entrapment drain covers (ASTM/ASME), equipotential bonding, safety glazing near the pool, and Article 680 electrical compliance. Pool setbacks are 5 feet from the property line and 3 feet from other structures. Two safety barriers are required under the Pool Safety Act.

Hemet treats above-ground pools the same as in-ground pools: any structure holding water over 18 inches deep is a 'pool.' A building permit is required at 24 inches deep or greater (or for pool electrical), and the Pool Safety Act's two-feature barrier rules apply to above-ground pools, spas, and portable spas.

Hemet defines hot tubs, spas, and portable spas as 'pools' when they hold water over 18 inches deep, so the same permit and Pool Safety Act barrier rules apply. The main exception: a hot tub or spa with a locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 is exempt from the two-feature barrier requirement.

Hemet's zoning code (Sec. 90-321) allows detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft and attached ADUs up to 50% of the primary home, with 4-foot side/rear setbacks. The city's 2018 ordinance predates many state changes, so current California ADU Law (Gov. Code 66310+) governs where it conflicts.

Hemet's zoning code addresses garage conversions mainly through its ADU provisions (Sec. 90-321): when a garage or carport is converted to an ADU, no replacement off-street parking is required. Converting a garage to living space still requires permits, and required parking must otherwise be maintained.

Under Hemet zoning Sec. 90-320, a shed or accessory structure over 120 sq ft needs a building permit. Small non-affixed sheds under 120 sq ft and 8 feet tall may sit as close as 3 feet to side/rear lines. All accessory structures together cannot exceed 50% of the main home's floor area.

Hemet's zoning code (Sec. 90-320) treats carports as accessory structures with a 20-foot maximum height. Like other accessory structures, a carport over 120 sq ft requires a building permit and must meet the setbacks of its zone. Structures within 5 feet of a side/rear line are limited to 8 feet tall.

Hemet has no separate tiny-home ordinance. A permanent tiny house on a foundation is regulated as a dwelling or ADU under Sec. 90-321 (detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft). Movable tiny homes on wheels are treated as RVs and cannot be used as permanent residences outside approved settings.

Hemet does not publish a stand-alone backyard fire-pit ordinance. Fire pits are governed by the California Fire Code (adopted by the City) and South Coast AQMD air rules. The Fire Code requires recreational fires to stay at least 25 feet from structures and be constantly attended.

Open burning of leaves, yard waste, and trash is prohibited in Hemet. The City's weed-abatement guidance states open burning is barred by the Air Quality Management District and Fire Department. South Coast AQMD Rule 444 regulates open burning across the air basin that includes Hemet.

Hemet is a 30-plus-year Tree City USA with a community tree ordinance and a Public Works/Parks urban-forestry program. Street and parkway trees in the public right-of-way are managed by the City; private property owners maintain their own trees and must keep vegetation from obstructing sidewalks and sight lines.

Trees on private property are generally the owner's to remove, but trees in the public parkway/right-of-way are city-managed under Hemet's street-tree code and Tree City USA program. Removing or damaging a public street tree without City authorization is not permitted; contact Public Works first.

Hemet runs its own groundwater-based water utility and adopted a Water Conservation Plan (ORD-2022-1997). Level 2 actions limit irrigation to no daytime watering between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., prohibit runoff, hosing pavement, and leaks under Municipal Code Sec. 82-133.