Alhambra · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Alhambra
Alhambra sets lower fence heights in front and street side yards and requires design review there. The city also limits accessory structure height and rear-yard coverage, and limits the space, visits and workers of home businesses.
Key points
- Fence height: Alhambra limits fences to 3 feet in front yards and near street side lines, 6 feet elsewhere except within 25 feet of an intersection.
- Accessory structures: Alhambra limits accessory structures to 15 feet and to 40% of the required rear yard setback area.
- Home business: Alhambra home businesses may use one room, at most 25% of one floor or 100 square feet, whichever is less; 3 clients at once.
Each rule below is marked Alhambra code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Alhambra code Alhambra limits fences to 3 feet in front yards and near street side lines, 6 feet elsewhere except within 25 feet of an intersection.
All 5 Alhambra rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Maximum height |
|
|---|---|
| Size or lot coverage |
|
| Side and rear setback |
|
Running a business from home
Alhambra code Alhambra home businesses may use one room, at most 25% of one floor or 100 square feet, whichever is less; 3 clients at once.
All 8 Alhambra rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Alhambra code Interior side and rear yards only, at least 3 feet from property lines. Not in front or street side yards. In front of the home or next to its side yard, or as close as reasonably possible.
All 5 Alhambra rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|---|
| Solar permit process |
|
Tree removal
Alhambra code Exempt: side and rear yard trees in RL and RM zones, fruit trees, non-native palms, dead wood, routine non-damaging pruning. A citation for each tree removed without a permit.
Swimming pools
| Setback from property lines |
|
|---|
Noise and construction hours
| Noise limit at homes |
|
|---|
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Alhambra code five and six unit developments may provide inclusionary units on site, or an alternative under Section 23.15.050, or a combination Fee follows a schedule set by City Council resolution.
All 6 Alhambra rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Alhambra code Required parking spaces may not be in a front or street side yard. Front yard parking is allowed only in a driveway or on a parking space.
All 8 Alhambra rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Alhambra code An assessment is charged for each false alarm after the first 3. This section does not state the amount. 3 false alarms per calendar year before an assessment applies.
All 4 Alhambra rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Alhambra code Remove signs within 14 days after the election. Off-site portable open house signs and directional signs to open houses need no permit.
All 8 Alhambra rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| Sorting organics and green waste |
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|---|---|
| When carts must come back |
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| When carts may go to the curb |
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| Where carts are kept |
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Historic homes
Alhambra code A certificate of appropriateness and Historic Preservation Commission review are required. A certificate of appropriateness and Director review are required.
All 16 Alhambra rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Alhambra rules on this
Alhambra's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Limits on raising a lot's finished grade (§ 23.12.070)
- Outdoor lighting standards (§ 23.12.090)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Alhambra?
Alhambra limits accessory structures to 15 feet and to 40% of the required rear yard setback area.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Alhambra?
Alhambra's code: Administrative approval and all required permits once the application is complete and meets the checklist. (Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 20.19.050); You may apply in person or online through the electronic submittal system. (Applies to installing an electric vehicle charging station.) (§ 20.23.030).
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Alhambra?
Alhambra's code: At least 3 feet from any property line. (Pools, spas and pool equipment in an interior side or rear yard, measured from the water line. Not allowed in the front yard.) (§ 23.12.150); At least 5 feet from any property line. (Applies to pools, spas and pool equipment in the required street side yard.) (§ 23.12.150).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Alhambra?
Alhambra's code: 55 dBA. (Residential noise zone; measured inside another person's home with windows and doors closed.) (§ 18.02.050).
Can I run a family child care home in Alhambra?
California law sets this for every city, including Alhambra: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Alhambra?
Alhambra's code: Cut green waste into pieces no more than 4 feet long and 4 inches across. (Before placing it for collection.) (§ 6.16.160); Use green-waste containers or securely tied bundles of no more than 80 pounds. (§ 6.16.160).
General information, not legal advice.
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