Commerce · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Commerce
Commerce sets fence, accessory-building and animal-keeping limits that depend on the yard and zone. EV charger permits and noise limits have separate city chapters.
Key points
- Fences: Fences, hedges and walls in a side or rear yard are limited to 6 ft; next to a freeway right-of-way, 10 ft.
- Accessory buildings: R-1 and R-2 accessory buildings 50 feet or more from the front line must be at least 3 feet from a street side line.
- Home businesses: Home businesses may use one room, and only residents of the home may be employed.
- RV parking: Vehicles over 25 ft long, 80 in. wide or 82 in. high may not park where posted; an RV needs a temporary parking permit.
- Fowl and rabbits: No more than 5 live fowls or rabbits per lot, kept 50 feet from a street line and 25 feet from a property line.
- Outdoor lighting: Lights must be shielded from neighbors, public rights-of-way and driveways where they would block drivers' view; landscape lights must be low-level.
Each rule below is marked Commerce code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Commerce code Fences, hedges and walls in a side or rear yard are limited to 6 ft; next to a freeway right-of-way, 10 ft.
All 3 Commerce rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Commerce code R-1 and R-2 accessory buildings 50 feet or more from the front line must be at least 3 feet from a street side line.
All 4 Commerce rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
| Space used |
|
|---|---|
| Employees |
|
RV and boat parking
| Size limit |
|
|---|
Pets, chickens and bees
Commerce code No more than 5 live fowls or rabbits per lot, kept 50 feet from a street line and 25 feet from a property line.
All 5 Commerce rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| Shielding |
|
|---|
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
Commerce code ½ guest space per unit. Guest spaces may be uncovered. ½ guest space per unit. Guest spaces may be uncovered.
All 6 Commerce rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| How long an alarm may sound |
|
|---|
Signs on homes
Commerce code No sign is allowed in connection with a commercial use run as a home occupation. One sign per parcel, up to 6 square feet, not lit. No sign permit needed.
All 3 Commerce rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Commerce code Residents must use the city's automated collection system. Put containers back on private property on the day of collection.
All 5 Commerce rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
| Changing a historic home |
|
|---|
Other Commerce rules on this
Commerce's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Floodplain management rules (Ch. 6.18)
- Noise and vibration limits (§ 19.19.160)
- Unnecessary noise from your property (§ 9.04.020)
- Permit for an EV charger (Ch. 15.13)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Commerce?
Home businesses may use one room, and only residents of the home may be employed.
Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Commerce?
Vehicles over 25 ft long, 80 in. wide or 82 in. high may not park where posted; an RV needs a temporary parking permit.
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Commerce?
Lights must be shielded from neighbors, public rights-of-way and driveways where they would block drivers' view; landscape lights must be low-level.
Can I run a family child care home in Commerce?
California law sets this for every city, including Commerce: 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 Commerce?
Commerce's code: 30 minutes. (§ 9.05.030).
What rules apply to a historic home in Commerce?
Commerce's code: A permit to alter or restore a designated historic landmark or district is reviewed at a public hearing. (§ 19.17.050).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Commerce property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question