La Puente · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in La Puente
La Puente's city code limits retaining walls and the fences on them, accessory structure height and size, and home businesses. A home business needs a home occupation permit and a business permit.
Key points
- Walls and fences: In front yard setbacks, retaining walls with solid fences on top are limited to 42 inches combined; 7 feet in rear or side setbacks.
- Accessory structures: City code limits accessory structures to 12 feet and one story, and storage sheds to 120 square feet.
- Home businesses: City code limits a home business to one room or 20% of the home's floor area, whichever is greater; only permanent residents may work.
Each rule below is marked La Puente 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 Puente code In front yard setbacks, retaining walls with solid fences on top are limited to 42 inches combined; 7 feet in rear or side setbacks.
All 7 La Puente rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
La Puente code City code limits accessory structures to 12 feet and one story, and storage sheds to 120 square feet.
All 3 La Puente rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
La Puente code City code limits a home business to one room or 20% of the home's floor area, whichever is greater; only permanent residents may work.
All 8 La Puente rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
La Puente code Only on a legal front-yard driveway, an allowed paved side-yard surface, or in the rear yard. Only on a legal driveway in the front yard.
All 6 La Puente rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Swimming pools
La Puente code No openings larger than 50 square inches, other than doors or gates. A rectangular opening may be larger if its horizontal side is no more than 4 inches.
All 6 La Puente rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
La Puente code Yes. 1 poultry, rabbit or small animal per 1,000 square feet of parcel, at most 20 combined. Up to 25 poultry or small animals under 3 months old do not count toward the limit.
All 9 La Puente rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
La Puente code 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. No construction on Saturdays, except indoor work from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
All 4 La Puente rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| Light at the property line |
|
|---|---|
| Shielding |
|
Garage and yard sales
La Puente code 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. No more than 2 days in a row.
All 5 La Puente 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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| How long an alarm may sound |
|
|---|
Signs on homes
La Puente code Up to 24 square feet and 6 feet high, at least 5 feet from the property line Street address, building identification and nameplate signs on residences need no sign application
All 10 La Puente rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
|
|---|---|
| When carts may go to the curb |
|
| Where carts are kept |
|
Other La Puente rules on this
La Puente's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Permit for an EV charger (Ch. 8.50)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in La Puente?
La Puente's code: Arrange all lights to keep light on site; no direct or sky-reflected glare visible at the property line. (§ 10.38.080); No more than 0.5 footcandles. (Light on any adjacent property.) (§ 10.38.080).
Can I run a family child care home in La Puente?
California law sets this for every city, including La Puente: 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 La Puente?
La Puente's code: An audible alarm must stop or reset within 30 minutes. (§ 3.48.040).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in La Puente?
La Puente's code: Remove containers by 8 p.m. on collection day, or within 2 hours after actual collection, whichever is later (§ 4.12.460); Not more than twenty-four hours before collection is scheduled to commence (§ 4.12.460).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific La Puente property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question