El Segundo · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in El Segundo
El Segundo sets its own limits on fences and accessory structures and taxes home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard, and accessory limits depend on the zone and lot width.
Key points
- Fence height: El Segundo limits residential fences to 42 inches in the required front yard and 6 feet behind it.
- Accessory structures: In the R-1 Zone on lots wider than 25 feet, El Segundo limits detached accessory structures to 2 stories and 1,200 square feet combined.
- Business tax: El Segundo charges a business license tax of $150 per year for every home occupation.
Each rule below is marked El Segundo 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 Segundo code El Segundo limits residential fences to 42 inches in the required front yard and 6 feet behind it.
All 8 El Segundo rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
El Segundo code In the R-1 Zone on lots wider than 25 feet, El Segundo limits detached accessory structures to 2 stories and 1,200 square feet combined.
All 10 El Segundo rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
| Permit |
|
|---|
RV and boat parking
El Segundo code Allowed on any developed residential lot, or on public property or a right-of-way, subject to its parking restrictions. Allowed in a front yard only on a nonporous surface pad large enough for the vehicle.
All 3 El Segundo rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
El Segundo code The building official must approve the application and issue any required nondiscretionary permits. Within 30 days, the applicant is told whether the permit is approved or a use permit is needed.
All 4 El Segundo rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Bees |
|
|---|---|
| Permit |
|
Building on a hillside
| When hillside rules apply |
|
|---|
Also in El Segundo's code: Seismic design for buildings on steep slopes (§ 1613.9) — steep slopes only. This page does not summarize it yet.
Noise and construction hours
| Noise limit at homes |
|
|---|
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
| Alarm permit |
|
|---|---|
| When a permit can be revoked |
|
Signs on homes
| Election and other noncommercial signs |
|
|---|
Trash and recycling carts
El Segundo code Contract with the city's franchisee for regular removal of all solid waste, organics and recyclables Collection service is not required.
All 7 El Segundo rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
El Segundo code 50 years. A certificate of appropriateness is required before demolition.
All 4 El Segundo rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other El Segundo rules on this
El Segundo's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Urban lot splits (SB 9) (Ch. 14-6)
- Urban lot split development standards (§ 15-4G-3)
- Draining and refilling a pool (§ 10-5-12)
- Draining a pool into the sewer (§ 12-5-3)
- Erosion control for hillside homes (§ 5-7-9) — hillside homes only
- Seismic design for buildings on steep slopes (§ 1613.9) — steep slopes only
- Development impact fees (Ch. 15-32)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in El Segundo?
El Segundo charges a business license tax of $150 per year for every home occupation.
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in El Segundo?
El Segundo's code: Yes, up to 3 hives. (Single-family residential property only, in rear yards, for noncommercial purposes.) (§ 6-6-1); Hives at least 5 feet from property lines; a 6-foot flight barrier, or hives at least 8 feet up. (Applies to hives in the rear yard of a single-family residential property.) (§ 6-6-1).
What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in El Segundo?
El Segundo's code: Rules apply to slopes steeper than 1 unit vertical in 3 horizontal (33.3%). (Seismic rules for new buildings and additions on such slopes. Non-habitable accessory buildings and decks not supporting or supported from the main building are exempt.) (§ 1613.9).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in El Segundo?
El Segundo's code: 5 dBA above the ambient noise level. (Measured at a home's property, for a total of 30 minutes in any hour; larger increases are allowed for shorter periods.) (§ 7-2-4).
Can I run a family child care home in El Segundo?
California law sets this for every city, including El Segundo: 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 Segundo?
El Segundo's code: A permit is required before installing an alarm system on premises you control. (§ 4-3-2); A permit can be revoked after more than 7 alarms during any fiscal year. (The Chief of Police must first give 15 days' written notice.) (§ 4-3-14).
What signs may I put up at my home in El Segundo?
El Segundo's code: At most 4 square feet. (Applies to temporary election season signs.) (§ 15-18-3); Not more than 60 days before an election. (Applies to temporary election season signs.) (§ 15-18-3).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific El Segundo property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question