Arcadia · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Arcadia
Arcadia limits the height and size of accessory structures in its residential zones and has a city section on fences. Home businesses need a city business license, have set visit hours, and many uses are not allowed.
Key points
- Fences: Arcadia has a city section on fences, walls and gates (Sec. 9103.05).
- Accessory structures: In R-M, R-0 and R-1 zones, Arcadia limits accessory structures to one story, 16 feet, and 50% of the main building's ground floor.
- Home business: Arcadia home businesses may use one room or 600 square feet, whichever is greater; only permanent residents of the home may conduct them.
Each rule below is marked Arcadia code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Arcadia code In R-M, R-0 and R-1 zones, Arcadia limits accessory structures to one story, 16 feet, and 50% of the main building's ground floor.
All 6 Arcadia rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Arcadia code Arcadia home businesses may use one room or 600 square feet, whichever is greater; only permanent residents of the home may conduct them.
All 7 Arcadia rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Arcadia code At most 6 feet tall. Follow accessory-structure setbacks in single-family zones and main-building setbacks in multifamily zones; keep out of the front yard.
All 4 Arcadia rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Arcadia code No arborist report if the Director finds the tree dead or hazardous; a tree permit is still required. Not regulated: non-oak, non-sycamore trees outside required yard setbacks, and listed species anywhere, such as fruit trees, palms and eucalyptus.
Swimming pools
Arcadia code The gap between the ground and the bottom of the barrier is at most 2 inches. The gap between the top of the pool and the bottom of the barrier is at most 2 inches.
All 20 Arcadia rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Chickens |
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Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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Park and impact fees for new homes
| Exemptions |
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| Fee per home |
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Noise and construction hours
Arcadia code 55 dBA in the daytime, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 50 dBA at night, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
All 4 Arcadia rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
Arcadia code At most 15 feet above the adjacent finished floor. At most 8 feet above the finished floor.
All 6 Arcadia rules on outdoor lighting, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
Arcadia code Sales may start no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and must end by 6:00 p.m. each day. A sale may last no more than 2 days in a row, 9 hours each day.
All 7 Arcadia rules on garage and yard sales, with the code text →
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)
Arcadia code Projects with fewer than 10 dwelling units are not subject to the requirements, unless part of a larger residential project. Fee follows a schedule set by City Council resolution.
All 9 Arcadia rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Arcadia code Each required parking space must be in a garage behind the required front setback. No more than a 2-car garage.
All 18 Arcadia rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Arcadia code Up to 90 days before the election. Remove within 7 days after the election.
All 16 Arcadia rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Historic homes
Arcadia code At least 45 years old. A certificate of appropriateness (C of A) is required.
All 11 Arcadia rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Arcadia rules on this
Arcadia's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Fences, walls and gates (Sec. 9103.05)
- Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 9102.01.150) — single-family zones only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Arcadia?
Arcadia has a city section on fences, walls and gates (Sec. 9103.05). Arcadia also has a related rule: Fences, walls and gates (Sec. 9103.05).
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Arcadia?
Arcadia's code: Yes; no more than 10 fowl or birds in total, not counting homing pigeons. (Applies to any premises in the city; no more than 5 small animals in total.) (§ 4136).
What are the rules for building in an Arcadia flood zone?
Arcadia's code: A development permit is needed for all construction or other development, including manufactured homes, to check flood risk. (§ 3019).
What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Arcadia?
Arcadia's code: $2.85 per square foot. (Single-family projects; Park Facilities Impact Fee set by Council Resolution 6602, effective March 14, 2008, which the council may amend.) (§ 9105.15.040); $3.73 per square foot. (Multifamily projects; Park Facilities Impact Fee set by Council Resolution 6602, effective March 14, 2008, which the council may amend.) (§ 9105.15.040).
Can I run a family child care home in Arcadia?
California law sets this for every city, including Arcadia: 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)).
General information, not legal advice.
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