La Palma · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in La Palma
La Palma's city code sets fence heights by yard and limits the height and size of each type of accessory structure. A home business needs a home business license.
Key points
- Fence height: City code limits fences to 4.5 feet in the required front yard setback and 8 feet in side and rear yards.
- Sheds and workshops: City code limits storage sheds to 8 feet and 120 square feet, and workshops to 12 feet and 400 square feet.
- Home businesses: City code requires a home business license to run a business from home.
Each rule below is marked La Palma code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
La Palma code City code limits fences to 4.5 feet in the required front yard setback and 8 feet in side and rear yards.
All 9 La Palma rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
La Palma code City code limits storage sheds to 8 feet and 120 square feet, and workshops to 12 feet and 400 square feet.
All 17 La Palma rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
| Permit |
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Lot splits under SB 9
| Standards |
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Solar panels and EV chargers
| Solar permit process |
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| Review time |
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Swimming pools
La Palma code Pools must be kept clean, with no floating scum, sputum or debris, and surfaces kept free of slime and algae. Water clear enough that a 6-inch black disc at the deepest point is visible from up to 10 yards.
All 6 La Palma rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Pet limit |
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Outdoor lighting
| Shielding |
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Garage and yard sales
La Palma code 7 a.m. to sunset. No more than 2 days in a row.
All 5 La Palma 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
La Palma code 10 feet wide by 20 feet deep per parking space 8 feet doorway width
All 4 La Palma rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
La Palma code An amount established by resolution of the City Council Up to 3 false alarms in any 12-month period carry no fee; more than 3 triggers the fee
All 3 La Palma rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
La Palma code Temporary signs on residential property need no permit if they follow the standards in this section May be displayed for a total of 63 days within a calendar year (banners and flags included)
All 4 La Palma rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
La Palma code Must subscribe to solid waste handling services with a franchisee or obtain and maintain registration as a self-hauler No requirement to provide for solid waste handling services
All 5 La Palma rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other La Palma rules on this
La Palma's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Floodplain management (Ch. 44, Div. 8) — flood-prone areas only
- Noise limits (Sec. 44-267)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in La Palma?
City code requires a home business license to run a business from home.
Can I split my lot under SB 9 in La Palma?
La Palma's code: Urban lot splits are allowed only in single-family residential zoning districts. (§ 44-1260); Each lot created by the parcel map may be used only for homes. (§ 44-1259).
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in La Palma?
La Palma's code: Expedited review. You may apply by email, the City's website or fax. (Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 10-38); No permit is needed for routine operation and maintenance or like-kind replacements. (Applies to small home rooftop solar systems.) (§ 10-36).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in La Palma?
La Palma's code: Keep direct light on the property and limit reflected light on nearby properties. (§ 44-263).
Can I run a family child care home in La Palma?
California law sets this for every city, including La Palma: 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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