Lakewood · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Lakewood
Lakewood's city code sets fence heights by setback in residential zones and sets setbacks for accessory buildings. Barbed wire and electrically charged fences need a permit.
Key points
- Fence height: In residential zones, city code limits fences to 42 inches in front yard setbacks and 7 feet 6 inches in rear yard setbacks.
- Accessory setbacks: Lakewood sets a 3-foot setback for a garage or non-habitable accessory building, and 4 feet for a habitable one unless state law modifies it.
Each rule below is marked Lakewood code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Lakewood code In residential zones, city code limits fences to 42 inches in front yard setbacks and 7 feet 6 inches in rear yard setbacks.
All 4 Lakewood rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Lakewood code Lakewood sets a 3-foot setback for a garage or non-habitable accessory building, and 4 feet for a habitable one unless state law modifies it.
All 4 Lakewood rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Swimming pools
Lakewood code No openings over 50 square inches; a rectangular opening may be larger only if no horizontal side exceeds 4 inches. Posts at least 3 by 3 inches, no more than 10 feet apart, set at least 18 inches deep.
All 13 Lakewood rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Lakewood code A development permit is needed before any construction or other development begins in a special flood hazard area. No buildings or structures; only work needed to maintain the flood control channel is allowed.
All 5 Lakewood rules on building in a flood zone, 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 |
|
|---|
Trash and recycling carts
Lakewood code Residential greenwaste goes in resident-provided containers of 20 to 40 gallons, weighing no more than 50 pounds. Within 12 hours after it has been emptied
All 5 Lakewood rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Lakewood rules on this
Lakewood's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Keeping pigeons at home (§ 4192.1)
- Beekeeping in residential zones (§ 4282)
- Parking RVs and trailers at a single-family home (§ 9373.1)
- Unnecessary noise (§ 4240)
- Construction hours (§ 8019)
- Air conditioner and equipment noise (§ 9376)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a family child care home in Lakewood?
California law sets this for every city, including Lakewood: 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 Lakewood?
Lakewood's code: Audible alarms must automatically shut off within 15 minutes. (§ 4701).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Lakewood property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question