Calabasas · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Calabasas
Calabasas sets its own limits on fences, walls and hedges, on detached garages and other accessory structures, and on home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard and the distance from the front property line.
Key points
- Fence height: City rule: front-line fences are limited to 42 inches, rising to 6 feet at 10 feet back; side and rear, 6 feet.
- Garages and pools: Detached garages are limited to 500 square feet per unit unless the commission approves more; pools need 5 feet from property lines.
- Home businesses: City rule: a home business needs a permit and may have at most 1 client on site at a time and 2 non-resident employees.
Each rule below is marked Calabasas code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Calabasas code City rule: front-line fences are limited to 42 inches, rising to 6 feet at 10 feet back; side and rear, 6 feet.
All 13 Calabasas rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Calabasas code Detached garages are limited to 500 square feet per unit unless the commission approves more; pools need 5 feet from property lines.
All 5 Calabasas rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Calabasas code City rule: a home business needs a permit and may have at most 1 client on site at a time and 2 non-resident employees.
All 4 Calabasas rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Calabasas code The smaller new lot must be at least 40% of the original lot's area. Each unit can be at most 800 square feet.
All 12 Calabasas rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Calabasas code With a city parking pass, you can park for up to 72 hours. Parking on the street is not allowed at any time.
All 4 Calabasas rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Tree removal
Calabasas code Exempt: an oak tree less than 2 inches in diameter. Exempt: damage from storms, floods, earthquakes, fires or other natural disasters or incidents, if city staff verify it.
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Grading and erosion control
Calabasas code Small digs need no permit: under 2 feet deep or no high steep cut, under 50 cubic yards. Small fills need no permit: under 1 foot deep on flat ground or under 3 feet, 50 cubic yards maximum.
All 3 Calabasas rules on grading and erosion control, 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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
Calabasas code 1 space per 3 units. A driveway at least 20 by 20 feet, outside a right-of-way or private street, can count as a guest space.
All 7 Calabasas rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| How long an alarm may sound |
|
|---|---|
| False alarm fees |
|
Signs on homes
Calabasas code 2 temporary freestanding signs per lot. 1 temporary freestanding campaign sign for each political candidate or issue on each street frontage per lot.
All 11 Calabasas rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| Where carts are kept |
|
|---|
Historic homes
Calabasas code A certificate of appropriateness is required. A certificate of appropriateness is required.
All 8 Calabasas rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Calabasas rules on this
Calabasas's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Keeping farm animals and other animals (§ 17.12.040) — residential, HM and OS zones
- Fast permits for home rooftop solar and EV chargers (§ 15.04.300)
- Placement standards for solar panels (§ 17.20.190)
- Hillside and ridgeline development (§ 17.20.150)
- Loud and unusual noise (§ 9.28.010)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules for building in a Calabasas flood zone?
Calabasas's code: You need a development permit before any construction or development starts in a special flood hazard area. (Areas of special flood hazard.) (§ 15.16.100); The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes and other structures in flood hazard areas; nonresidential buildings may be floodproofed instead.) (§ 15.16.110).
Can I run a family child care home in Calabasas?
California law sets this for every city, including Calabasas: 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)).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Calabasas?
Calabasas's code: Audible alarms must turn off automatically no more than 10 minutes after activation. (§ 9.12.030); A service charge applies, set by resolution. (False alarms activated within a calendar year.) (§ 9.12.060).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Calabasas?
Calabasas's code: Store carts, containers and bundles in the garage, side yard or rear yard. (Before the time designated for collection.) (§ 8.16.640).
General information, not legal advice.
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