Lawndale · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Lawndale
Lawndale's city code sets fence heights by yard, limits sheds in setbacks, and keeps home businesses small. A fence or wall permit is needed before most fence work.
Key points
- Fence height: City code limits solid front yard fences to 30 inches, or 48 inches if see-through above 30; side and rear yard fences 6 feet.
- Sheds: City code allows one shed per lot in rear or side setbacks, limited to 10 feet high and 12 by 12 feet.
- Home businesses: A home business may use at most 150 square feet, with no clients at the home and no assistants; it needs a permit.
Each rule below is marked Lawndale code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Lawndale code City code limits solid front yard fences to 30 inches, or 48 inches if see-through above 30; side and rear yard fences 6 feet.
All 7 Lawndale rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Lawndale code City code allows one shed per lot in rear or side setbacks, limited to 10 feet high and 12 by 12 feet.
All 5 Lawndale rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Lawndale code A home business may use at most 150 square feet, with no clients at the home and no assistants; it needs a permit.
All 7 Lawndale rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Lawndale code Two lots of about equal area; neither may be smaller than 40% of the original lot. Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet.
All 9 Lawndale rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Lawndale code No longer than 2 hours. Each permit is valid for 7 days.
All 4 Lawndale rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Lawndale code A building or other non-discretionary permit is issued within 3 business days. Only 1 inspection is required.
All 5 Lawndale rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Lawndale code Yes; no more than 2 chickens, hens and/or fowl. At least 35 feet away.
All 4 Lawndale rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
Lawndale code 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All 3 Lawndale rules on noise and construction hours, 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
Lawndale code The director may approve 2 independently accessible or tandem front spaces with street access, outside the required front setback. A two-car garage on the same lot, conveniently accessible. Its size may be reduced to fit required setbacks.
All 3 Lawndale rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Lawndale code Off-site commercial messages and signs for home-based occupations are not allowed. Up to 12 square feet in total for all signs on a property, not counting name plates or flags.
All 4 Lawndale rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Lawndale code Put organic materials in the container the solid waste collector designates for them. Remove containers before 9 a.m. on the day after the regularly scheduled collection.
All 4 Lawndale rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Lawndale rules on this
Lawndale's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Park development fee (Ch. 12.34)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a family child care home in Lawndale?
California law sets this for every city, including Lawndale: 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.
Ask about a specific Lawndale property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question