La Quinta · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in La Quinta
La Quinta's city code limits detached accessory buildings by their roof area and sets rules for home businesses. A permit is needed for a fence or hedge in a right-of-way.
Key points
- Sheds: City code limits sheds to 10 feet with up to 200 square feet of roof, and 17 feet with 201 square feet or more.
- Home businesses: City code limits a home business to 25% of the combined floor area of house and garage, with no customer pickup or delivery.
- Right-of-way permit: City code requires a permit for a hedge, fence or similar structure in a right-of-way, with stated exceptions.
Each rule below is marked La Quinta code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Permit |
|
|---|
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
La Quinta code City code limits sheds to 10 feet with up to 200 square feet of roof, and 17 feet with 201 square feet or more.
All 11 La Quinta rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
La Quinta code City code limits a home business to 25% of the combined floor area of house and garage, with no customer pickup or delivery.
All 6 La Quinta rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
La Quinta code In a side or rear yard. In front, side or rear yards.
All 8 La Quinta rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| Solar permit process |
|
|---|
Swimming pools
La Quinta code No gaps that make it easy to get through the enclosure. At least 60 inches high, measured from the outside finished grade.
All 4 La Quinta rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Pet limit |
|
|---|
Grading and erosion control
La Quinta code Digs under 2 feet deep, or with no cut slope both over 5 feet high and steeper than 2:1. Fill under 1 foot deep on natural ground flatter than 5:1 that does not block a drainage course.
All 3 La Quinta rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
| Soils or geology report |
|
|---|---|
| When hillside rules apply |
|
Park and impact fees for new homes
La Quinta code Fair market value of land in the subdivision. 3 acres per 1,000 people.
All 3 La Quinta rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
La Quinta code No more than 8 feet above grade. Lights must not shine directly on adjacent properties.
All 12 La Quinta rules on outdoor lighting, 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
| False alarm fees |
|
|---|---|
| False alarms before a fee |
|
Signs on homes
La Quinta code Address or identification signs; maximum 1 sq. ft. in total Property signs such as "No Trespassing" and "No Parking"; maximum 3 sq. ft.
All 9 La Quinta rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
La Quinta code 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 6 La Quinta rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
La Quinta code City council permit, issued only if work would not detrimentally alter, destroy or adversely affect architectural or landscape improvements No building or demolition permits for exterior alterations are issued while the designation is pending
All 3 La Quinta rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other La Quinta rules on this
La Quinta's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Flood hazard regulations (Ch. 8.11)
- Loud and disturbing noise (§ 11.08.040)
- Construction hours (§ 6.08.050)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in La Quinta?
City code requires a permit for a hedge, fence or similar structure in a right-of-way, with stated exceptions.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in La Quinta?
La Quinta's code: Apply in person, by mail or electronically, with permit processing and inspection fees. Electronic signatures are accepted. (Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 8.90.040); Approved once the application and documents are complete and meet the chapter and checklist requirements. (Applies when the application meets the chapter and the small home rooftop solar checklist.) (§ 8.90.060).
What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in La Quinta?
La Quinta's code: No development on slopes over 20%, except trails and some access roads. (HC hillside conservation district.) (§ 9.140.040); A soil survey and geology/engineering report are required for every home site or subdivision, unless the city engineer waives them. (Every home site or subdivision in the HC (hillside conservation) district.) (§ 9.140.040).
Can I run a family child care home in La Quinta?
California law sets this for every city, including La Quinta: 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 Quinta?
La Quinta's code: Set according to a resolution adopted by the city council (§ 11.90.050); Up to the amount of full cost recovery, per false alarm (After 5 or more false alarms) (§ 11.90.050).
General information, not legal advice.
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