Duarte · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Duarte
Duarte sets its own rules for home businesses and has its own chapters on accessory structures. Home-business visits and deliveries are limited to set daytime hours.
Key points
- Home businesses: Duarte limits most home businesses to one room or 20% of the home's floor area, whichever is greater, with resident workers only.
- Accessory structures: Duarte has its own chapters on accessory structures in residential zones and in all zones.
Each rule below is marked Duarte code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Running a business from home
Duarte code Duarte limits most home businesses to one room or 20% of the home's floor area, whichever is greater, with resident workers only.
All 5 Duarte rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Duarte code RVs may be parked only in the side and rear yards of a lot. Not allowed unless stored in a fully enclosed structure approved for that purpose.
All 8 Duarte rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Tree removal
Duarte code Exempt: trees that interfere with public streets, sidewalks, utilities or public places and endanger public life, health, safety or property. Exempt: trees that must be removed or relocated for adequate line-of-sight distances.
Swimming pools
Duarte code The gap between the ground and the bottom of the barrier may be no more than 2 inches. The gap between the pool top and the barrier bottom may be no more than 4 inches.
Pets, chickens and bees
Duarte code No, keeping a beehive is not allowed. Up to 10 chickens and ducks combined per lot; no roosters.
All 7 Duarte rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|
Building on a hillside
Duarte code Steeper slopes need a full soil investigation and report, with a deep soil test by a geologist or soil engineer. No steeper than 2 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical.
All 8 Duarte rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
| How the park fee is set |
|
|---|
Noise and construction hours
| Construction hours on weekdays |
|
|---|
Outdoor lighting
Duarte code Pole or fence-mounted lights no more than 8 feet above grade; building-mounted lights below the eave line. No more than 1 foot candle.
All 3 Duarte rules on outdoor lighting, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
| Hours |
|
|---|---|
| How long a sale may last |
|
| Permit |
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| Sales per year |
|
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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| How long an alarm may sound |
|
|---|
Signs on homes
| For-sale and open-house signs |
|
|---|---|
| Other temporary signs |
|
Other Duarte rules on this
Duarte's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Accessory structures in residential zones (§ 19.10.070)
- Accessory structures (Ch. 19.34) — applies in all zones
- Urban lot splits (SB 9) (Ch. 19.88) — single-family zones only
- Permit for small home rooftop solar (§ 16.04.090)
- When grading needs an engineered grading plan (§ 16.04.170)
- Hillside grading standards for homes and additions (§ 19.46.070) — hillside areas only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Duarte?
Duarte has its own chapters on accessory structures in residential zones and in all zones. Duarte also has a related rule: Accessory structures in residential zones (§ 19.10.070); Accessory structures (Ch. 19.34) — applies in all zones.
What are the rules for building in a Duarte flood zone?
Duarte's code: A development permit is needed for all proposed construction or other development, including placing manufactured homes. (§ 16.40.090).
What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Duarte?
Duarte's code: Fair market value of the amount of land required by the city's fee table. (Fee paid instead of dedicating park land in a subdivision; the land counted depends on net density.) (§ 19.82.050); Value comes from a city-approved appraiser at the subdivider's expense, if the Council finds it reasonable, or by city-subdivider agreement. (Fair market value is set as of the time the final map is filed.) (§ 19.82.050).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Duarte?
Duarte's code: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., every day. (Outdoor construction or repair in or within 500 feet of a residential zone; work from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. needs a permit; emergencies exempt.) (§ 9.68.120).
What are the garage sale rules in Duarte?
Duarte's code: No more than 2 sales per calendar year. (Per address.) (§ 5.29.040); A permit is required; the fee is set by city council resolution. (§ 5.29.020).
Can I run a family child care home in Duarte?
California law sets this for every city, including Duarte: 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 Duarte?
Duarte's code: The alarm must stop or reset automatically within 30 minutes of activation. (§ 9.05.090).
What signs may I put up at my home in Duarte?
Duarte's code: Up to 6 square feet and 6 feet high. (Applies in residential zones to signs advertising units for sale, lease or rent.) (§ 19.42.120); 1 sign per property, up to 6 square feet and 4 feet high. (Applies in residential zones to yard sale signs, on the subject property only.) (§ 19.42.120).
General information, not legal advice.
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