Compton · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Compton
Compton limits how much of a required rear yard accessory structures may cover in its residential zones and limits the space and workers of home businesses.
Key points
- Rear yard coverage: One-story accessory structures may cover at most 50% of a required rear yard in the R-L zone and 60% in the R-M zone.
- Home businesses: City rule: a home business is limited to one room or 25% of the home's floor area, whichever is less, with only residents working.
Each rule below is marked Compton 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
Compton code One-story accessory structures may cover at most 50% of a required rear yard in the R-L zone and 60% in the R-M zone.
All 3 Compton rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Compton code City rule: a home business is limited to one room or 25% of the home's floor area, whichever is less, with only residents working.
All 5 Compton rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Compton code No more than 72 hours in a row unless you have a permit from the Traffic Committee. Trailers only when hitched to a vehicle; nonmotorized RVs up to 72 hours, only for loading or unloading.
All 3 Compton rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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Pets, chickens and bees
| Chickens |
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Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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Noise and construction hours
| Construction hours on weekdays |
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Garage and yard sales
| Hours |
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| Permit |
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| Sales per year |
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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
Compton code Required front and street side yards cannot be used for parking, except the driveway, back-up and turning radius. A maximum of 3 vehicles.
All 5 Compton rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Compton code The first 3 false alarms in 12 months are free. A user with more than 3 is an excessive user. Yes. An annual Alarm User's Permit is required before installation and use.
All 5 Compton rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Compton code Arrange solid waste and recycling service, and keep enough containers for the waste between collections. Place in green waste container, or tie in bundles of at most 60 pounds. Do not mix with other waste.
All 6 Compton rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Compton rules on this
Compton's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Review before removing mature trees (§ 30-43.7) — when several trees are removed within a set period
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Compton?
Compton's code: You may submit the application and documents in person, by mail, or electronically. (Applies to EV charger permit applications and their documents.) (§ 15-27.3); A complete application that meets the checklist is approved without discretion, as an expedited permit. (Applies to EV charging stations, unless the building official finds a specific, adverse impact on public health or safety.) (§ 15-27.3).
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Compton?
Compton's code: Fighting cocks and gamecocks are not allowed. (Applies citywide, including the Richland Farms area.) (§ 7-6.13).
What are the rules for building in a Compton flood zone?
Compton's code: A Development Permit is needed before any construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. (§ 14-10.5).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Compton?
Compton's code: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday through Saturday; construction work and equipment unless noise stays inside a building; other hours only for urgent safety needs with a Building Official permit.) (§ 7-12.22).
What are the garage sale rules in Compton?
Compton's code: Up to 12 days per calendar year, only on the first Saturday of each month. (One sale per lot, no matter how many homes are on it.) (§ 30-11.4); A garage sale permit from the Planning Department is required; apply by the Monday before the sale. (§ 30-11.4).
Can I run a family child care home in Compton?
California law sets this for every city, including Compton: 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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