Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Fowler, California

Fowler’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Installing a manufactured home on a permanent foundation inside Fowler city

  • Site plan review under Chapter 9-5.27 is also required before construction
  • A separate grading permit from the Building Official is required for grading, with listed exemptions (8-14.04)

  “Prior to the installation of a manufactured home on a permanent foundation, the owners of the manufactured home or a licensed contractor shall obtain a building permit.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Residential construction inside Fowler city

  • Adopts the current edition of the California Residential Code as promulgated by the California Building Standards Commission
  • Title 8 also retains 1994 Uniform Mechanical Code and Uniform Fire Code provisions in older sections

  “The City adopts by specific reference thereto and incorporation herein by said reference, in their entirety, the California Residential Code”

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  Manufactured homes installed on foundations inside Fowler city

  • Request made after applying for building permits and before occupancy
  • Under Health and Safety Code 18557(a)

  “prior to occupancy, the owner shall request a certificate of occupancy be issued pursuant to Section 18557(a) of the California Health and Safety Code.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Fowler city limits

  “Uses permitted subject to a conditional use permit shall be as follows (see Article 25 ):”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  R-1 one-family residential districts inside Fowler city (2010 Zoning Code); agricultural district not retrieved

  • Lots of record at ordinance adoption and lots annexed that complied with county subdivision rules have no minimum
  • Applies to all other lots by district

  R-1-5 lot area: >= 5000 sq ft · R-1-6 lot area: >= 6000 sq ft · R-1-7 lot area: >= 7000 sq ft · R-1-8.5 lot area: >= 8500 sq ft · R-1-10 lot area: >= 10000 sq ft · R-1-12 lot area: >= 12000 sq ft

  “R-1-5 5,000 square feet R-1-6 6,000 square feet R-1-7 7,000 square feet”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  R-1 one-family residential districts inside Fowler city (2010 Zoning Code); agricultural district not retrieved

  • Side yard increases 3 feet per additional story
  • Garages/carports 20 feet from front property line
  • Cul-de-sac and infill averaging exceptions apply

  R-1-5 front/rear/side: 20/10/5 feet · R-1-12 front/rear/side: 35/10/10 feet

  “R-1-5 20 feet 10 feet 5 feet 8 feet 15 feet R-1-6 20 feet 10 feet 5 feet 10 feet 15 feet”

• Living in an RVLimited

  RVs on residential lots inside Fowler city

  • RV may not be occupied or used for living or sleeping while parked or stored
  • Guests may occupy for not more than 30 days per calendar year
  • Storage must be behind the required front/street-side setback, screened by a 6-foot fence or wall, or in a garage
  • Older 2010 code (9-5.2004) states 7 consecutive/14 total days; the newer chapter 9.120.050 is quoted here

  guest occupancy limit: <= 30 days per calendar year

  “Recreational vehicles are not to be occupied or used for living or sleeping while parked or stored provided guests of the property owner or resident may occupy the recreational vehicle, or park one (1) recreational vehicle in addition to those permitted herein, for not more than thirty (30) days in any calendar year.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Camping inside Fowler city

  • Unlawful in public rights-of-way and public parks except designated overnight areas
  • Private lots only with owner permission and if permissible under the zoning ordinance
  • Camp established to lodge or reside, stay overnight, or stay more than one day is not recreational camping

  “upon any unimproved private lot unless such use is with the permission of the owner and permissible under the city's zoning ordinance;”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes on individual lots in R and RM districts inside Fowler city

  • Permanent foundation required; building permit and site plan review required
  • Minimum width 20 feet or compatible with block
  • Roof pitch at least 3:12, conventional roofing and siding, wheels and axles removed
  • Certified under the National Mobilehome Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974
  • Occupied only as a single-family residential unit

  minimum width: >= 20 feet (or compatible with existing dwellings within the block)

  “All manufactured homes shall be occupied only as a single-family, residential unit.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Recreational vehicles and manufactured homes in flood zones A1-30, AH, AE inside Fowler city

  • RV must be on site fewer than 180 consecutive days and be fully licensed and highway ready, or meet permit requirements of Sections 8-8.13 through 8-8.16 and elevation/anchoring standards

  RV maximum days on site without permit: < 180 consecutive days

  “be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days, and be fully licensed and ready for highway use;”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Fowler or Fresno County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders inside Fowler city
• Inspections — Inspections inside Fowler city
• Minimum dwelling size — Primary dwellings inside Fowler city
• Lot coverage — Residential districts inside Fowler city
• Building height — Residential districts inside Fowler city

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.