This is the inaugural edition of the Temecula Building & Safety Departments Code Corner, we hope to provide you with useful information about building permits, code provisions, inspections and related information, whether you are a homeowner or business owner here in Temecula.
As you begin to plan your home improvement project or establish your place of business, we want you to know we are here to help and serve you.
With this inaugural edition, here are some frequently asked questions regarding typical home improvement projects we hope will help you.
If you have any questions, our Building and Safety Department Staff is available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday – Friday.
Phone Number 951-694-6439
Fax Number 951-694-6403
E-Mail address: codecorner@cityoftemecula.org
Q. Why do I need a building permit for anything?
Q. Do I need a permit for a patio cover?
Q. Do I need a permit for a freestanding garden wall?
Q. What about a retaining wall? Do I need a permit for that?
Q. Can I put a fence in my front yard?
Q. Why do I need a building permit for anything?
A. The reason for the permit is to protect you in several ways.
Inspections insure your project is built to the minimum California Building Code standards.
The paper trail provides written, verifiable record that your project was legally built and met the California Building Code standards.
The fees collected pay for the cost of checking plans and inspections
Q. Do I need a permit for a patio cover?
A. Yes, unless it meets both of these conditions:
- It is detached from the house AND
- It is smaller than 120 square feet in floor area.
- Otherwise, whether the roof is lattice or a solid cover, if you install it yourself: or have a contractor install it; whether it will be made out of metal or wood, a permit will be required.
Q. Do I need a permit for a freestanding garden wall?
A. Yes, if the freestanding wall is over 36 inches in height. Again, this is to insure that the wall meets all the minimum building and material standards and is not a hazard to fall down.
Q. What about a retaining wall? Do I need a permit for that?
A. This will require a permit if the retaining wall is 2 foot or higher or has any surcharge behind it. The whole idea of a retaining wall is to keep the landscape from shifting in a particular area. Inspections will insure the structural engineered requirements of the retaining wall have been met.
Q. Can I put a fence in my front yard?
A. Yes, you can, providing you meet some simple requirements:
- 10 to 12 feet back from the face of the curb, depending on where you live
- Six feet is the maximum height permitted
- The first three feet out of the ground may be solid
- The last three feet of the wall needs to be of an open style
- It will require a permit.