Gardena · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Gardena
Gardena sets its own fence heights for residential lots and lists businesses that may not run from a home. Fence height depends on the yard and on whether the lot is an interior or corner lot.
Key points
- Fence height: Gardena limits fences in the required front setback to 3½ ft on interior lots, 3 ft on corner lots; side and rear 8 ft.
- Home businesses: Gardena does not allow real estate, insurance, law or medical offices, beauty shops, vehicle repair or on-premises sales as home businesses in any zone.
Each rule below is marked Gardena code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Gardena code Gardena limits fences in the required front setback to 3½ ft on interior lots, 3 ft on corner lots; side and rear 8 ft.
All 6 Gardena rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Running a business from home
| Businesses not allowed |
|
|---|
RV and boat parking
Gardena code No parking between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Up to 48 hours for emergency repairs.
All 5 Gardena rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Gardena code Administrative, nondiscretionary review to speed approval. Same day.
All 3 Gardena rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
| Permit to remove |
|
|---|
Swimming pools
| Setback from property lines |
|
|---|
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Noise and construction hours
Gardena code No power saws, sanders, drills, grinders, or lawn or garden tools from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
All 10 Gardena rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
Gardena code Garage sales may run only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. A garage sale may last no more than 2 days in a row.
All 4 Gardena 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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
Gardena code Minimum interior size 20 feet wide by 20 feet deep. Minimum interior size 12 feet wide by 41 feet deep.
All 10 Gardena rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
|
|---|---|
| False alarms before a fee |
|
| Alarm permit |
|
Trash and recycling carts
Gardena code Within 24 hours after collection. Not earlier than 24 hours before the scheduled collection time.
All 4 Gardena rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Gardena rules on this
Gardena's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Keeping animals at home (§ 18.42.020)
- Keeping pigeons and doves (Ch. 6.20)
- Parcel maps for SB 9 urban lot splits (§ 17.08.270)
- Two-unit housing developments (SB 9) (§ 18.12.060)
- Sediment and erosion control for grading (§ 15.06.090)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Gardena?
Gardena does not allow real estate, insurance, law or medical offices, beauty shops, vehicle repair or on-premises sales as home businesses in any zone.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Gardena?
Gardena's code: Removal needs the Director's approval. (Applies to street trees in the public parkway.) (§ 13.60.110).
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Gardena?
Gardena's code: At least 5 feet from any lot line or building; not in any front yard. (Applies to swimming pools and related equipment.) (§ 18.42.090).
What are the rules for building in a Gardena flood zone?
Gardena's code: You need a development permit before any construction or development starts in a special flood hazard area. (§ 15.50.110); The lowest floor must be above the highest nearby ground by at least the FIRM depth number in feet. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with a depth number on the FIRM; includes the basement.) (§ 15.50.150).
Can I run a family child care home in Gardena?
California law sets this for every city, including Gardena: 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 Gardena?
Gardena's code: Administrative fines set by city council resolution. (Four or more false alarms.) (§ 8.44.070); Fines apply to a system with 4 or more false alarms. (§ 8.44.070).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Gardena property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question