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

Lodi enforces the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code §§115920-115929) and California Building Code Appendix V through LMC Chapter 15.04. New or remodeled residential pools and spas need a 60-inch (5-foot) minimum enclosure, self-closing and self-latching gates opening outward, and must implement at least two of the seven statutory drowning-prevention features.

LMC §17.14.100 governs allowed materials for walls, fences and hedges in Lodi. Standard wood, vinyl, masonry, and wrought iron are permitted in residential zones. Barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing are restricted in residential districts under the Development Code.

Lodi adopts the California Building Code through LMC Chapter 15.04. Per CBC §105.2 (as adopted), retaining walls over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall require a building permit. Walls supporting a surcharge (a slope, driveway, or structure above) require a permit at any height.

Lodi has no special boundary-fence ordinance — neighbor cost-sharing and notice are governed by California Civil Code §841 (the 'Good Neighbor Fence Act'). Property owners share equal responsibility for reasonable costs of shared boundary fences and must give 30 days' written notice before construction or replacement.

Lodi Municipal Code §17.14.100 caps fences at 7 feet along residential side and rear property lines and 4 feet within required front yards. Phase 2 of the Incremental Code Update (adopted March 5, 2025) raised the rear/side limit from 6 to 7 feet and eliminated discretionary review in that range.

Fences not exceeding 7 feet in height are exempt from building permits in Lodi. The recent code update eliminated the discretionary review requirement for fences between 6 and 7 feet in residential zones. Masonry walls may require a building permit.

Lodi requires a building permit for in-ground pools, in-ground spas, and most above-ground pools. The city enforces California Building Code (CBC) requirements through Lodi Municipal Code (LMC) Title 15, Chapter 15.04, which adopts the CBC by reference.

Hot tubs and spas in Lodi are exempt from the 60-inch pool barrier if they have a locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346, per Cal. Health & Safety Code §115925(2). Permanently installed spas still need a building and electrical permit under LMC Chapter 15.04.

Pools and in-ground spas in Lodi must be enclosed by a barrier at least 60 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates that swing away from the pool, per the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code §115923) and California Residential Code Appendix AX, adopted through LMC Title 15.

New and remodeled residential pools in Lodi must include at least two of seven drowning-prevention safety features from Cal. Health & Safety Code §115922(a) and anti-entrapment suction outlets meeting ANSI/APSP-16, enforced through LMC Title 15 building permit inspections.

Above-ground pools in Lodi need a building permit if 24 inches or deeper or holding more than 5,000 gallons (CBC §105.2). Even exempt pools must still meet the Cal. HSC §115923 barrier rules - either by an enclosure or by removing ladders when not in use under California Residential Code Appendix AX.

Lodi allows attached, detached, converted, and junior ADUs on single-family lots under LMC 17.36.130, with state-aligned size caps of 800 sq ft (studio/1BR) or 1,000 sq ft (2BR+) and 4-foot side/rear setbacks.

Lodi expressly permits garage-to-ADU and garage-to-JADU conversions under LMC 17.36.130 and the city's published ADU program. Under California Government Code 65852.2, the city cannot require replacement parking when an existing garage is converted to an ADU.

Carports in Lodi are regulated as accessory structures and as required residential parking. The Phase 3 Incremental Code Update (October 2025) amended LMC 17.32.040 so that required covered parking spaces inside a carport must be independently accessible (no tandem parking).

Lodi has no separate "tiny home" ordinance. Tiny dwellings on a permanent foundation are permitted as ADUs under LMC 17.36.130 (up to 800 sq ft for one-bedroom, 1,000 sq ft for multi-bedroom) or as JADUs up to 500 sq ft within an existing home, including four free pre-approved city plans as small as 375 sq ft.

Lodi regulates residential accessory structures (sheds, gazebos, workshops) under LMC 17.36.120, with setback measurements set by LMC 17.14.060. The California Building Code (CBC 105.2) exempts one-story sheds 120 sq ft or under from a building permit, but city zoning setbacks still apply.

Lodi adopts the California Fire Code (CFC) at Lodi Municipal Code Chapter 15.20. Under CFC Section 307 a backyard recreational fire is allowed if the fuel area is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height, the fire is at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material, and the fire is constantly attended with extinguishing equipment ready. Portable outdoor fireplaces at one- and two-family dwellings must be operated per manufacturer instructions and at least 15 feet from structures.

Open burning of household waste, leaves, and yard debris is effectively banned in Lodi. Within city limits, the Lodi Fire Department enforces the California Fire Code (LMC 15.20) which prohibits open burning of rubbish. Beyond city limits in San Joaquin County, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) Rule 4103 phased out agricultural burning - as of January 1, 2025 small orchard removals, vineyard removals, and surface harvested prunings are also prohibited. From November 1 through end of February, SJVAPCD Rule 4901 controls residential wood and pellet burning citywide.

Under the Lodi Water Conservation Ordinance (LMC Chapter 13.08), outdoor watering is allowed only on assigned days based on address parity, never on Mondays, and never between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Street trees in Lodi require an encroachment permit from Public Works for removal. Removal is allowed for fruit-causing nuisance, driveway construction, city projects, or repeated utility/sidewalk damage. Private trees on private property generally do not require a city permit for removal.

Lodi requires private trees to be trimmed so branches clear public sidewalks by at least 10 feet and the public street by at least 13 feet. Trees in the public right-of-way may only be removed or significantly altered with a Public Works encroachment permit.