El Monte · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in El Monte
El Monte sets its own limits on fences, accessory buildings and home businesses in residential zones. Fence height depends on the yard, corner location and how open the fence is.
Key points
- Fence height: El Monte limits front-yard fences to 4 feet, or 5 feet if at least 50% open, and most other areas to 6 feet.
- Accessory buildings: El Monte limits accessory buildings in residential zones to one story and 16 feet, and 800 square feet in total per property.
- Home businesses: El Monte limits a home business to 500 square feet, including storage, with clients by appointment only from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday–Saturday.
Each rule below is marked El Monte code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
El Monte code El Monte limits front-yard fences to 4 feet, or 5 feet if at least 50% open, and most other areas to 6 feet.
All 5 El Monte rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
El Monte code El Monte limits accessory buildings in residential zones to one story and 16 feet, and 800 square feet in total per property.
All 5 El Monte rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
El Monte code El Monte limits a home business to 500 square feet, including storage, with clients by appointment only from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday–Saturday.
All 6 El Monte rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
El Monte code Neither new lot may be smaller than 40% of the original lot's area. At least 1,200 square feet.
All 10 El Monte rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Parking on the street |
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Solar panels and EV chargers
El Monte code New enclosed parking spaces must be EV-capable, pre-equipped for electric vehicle charging units. Charging stations for 15% of required guest parking spaces, or 2 spaces, whichever is greater.
All 3 El Monte rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
El Monte code Fines and penalties for pruning that breaks ISA and ANSI A300 standards, such as topping, lion's tailing or severe pruning. Yes, a permit is required.
Swimming pools
El Monte code No opening in the barrier larger than 4 inches square. At least 5 feet high.
All 4 El Monte rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
| Grading without a permit |
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Noise and construction hours
El Monte code 50 dBA at the property line. 45 dBA at the property line.
All 5 El Monte rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
El Monte code Exterior lights must be off during daylight hours, from sunrise to sunset. At most 20 feet.
All 6 El Monte rules on outdoor lighting, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
El Monte code 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No permit fee or business license fee.
All 4 El Monte 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)
El Monte code The affordability term is in perpetuity. The affordability term is a minimum of 55 years.
All 10 El Monte rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
El Monte code 1 enclosed or reserved space. 2 enclosed or reserved spaces.
All 19 El Monte rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| Alarm permit |
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Trash and recycling carts
El Monte code no later than seven p.m. on the collection day no earlier than four p.m. of the day immediately preceding the day of collection
All 5 El Monte rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other El Monte rules on this
El Monte's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Keeping horses, cows, goats and other livestock (§ 8.48.030)
- Public facilities impact fees (Ch. 15.08)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the grading rules in El Monte?
El Monte's code: Excavation for a swimming pool or underground structure under a valid building permit; excavation or fill under a valid plumbing permit; an excavation of 50 cubic yards or less that creates no cut slope higher than 5 feet and is not steeper than 2:1; a fill that does not support a structure or block a drainage course and is less than 1 foot deep on terrain flatter than 5:1, or less than 3 feet deep and 50 cubic yards or less with a fill slope no steeper than 2:1, or less than 5 feet deep and 20 cubic yards or less with a fill slope no steeper than 2:1; minor grading of 5,000 square feet or less that does not redirect drainage (granted only with earthwork calculations stamped by a registered civil engineer; the rest of the grading chapter still applies) (§ 15.40.060).
Can I run a family child care home in El Monte?
California law sets this for every city, including El Monte: 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 El Monte?
El Monte's code: An alarm system permit is required. (A valid permit from the Chief of Police or designee is needed for the alarm system at that location.) (§ 5.102.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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