Livermore · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Livermore
Livermore sets its own rules for pool barriers, rooftop solar and EV charger permits, and keeping fowl or livestock. Accessory structures and home occupations are covered in the city's Land Development Code.
Key points
- Pool barriers: Livermore requires pool barriers at least 60 inches above grade, except with a powered pool safety cover or a lockable spa cover.
- Barrier gaps: The gap under a pool barrier is at most 2 inches on grass or gravel and at most 4 inches on concrete.
- Rooftop solar: Complete rooftop solar applications needing no use permit are processed same day over the counter, or in 1 to 3 business days electronically.
- Fowl and livestock: Keeping fowl or livestock in Livermore needs an animal fancier permit, and livestock may not be pastured or tied in public places.
- Accessory structures: Livermore covers sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Land Development Code § 4.02.030.
- Home businesses: Running a business from home is covered by Livermore's home occupation rules and home occupation permit in the Land Development Code.
Each rule below is marked Livermore code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Solar panels and EV chargers
Livermore code Complete rooftop solar applications needing no use permit are processed same day over the counter, or in 1 to 3 business days electronically.
All 5 Livermore rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
Livermore code Livermore requires pool barriers at least 60 inches above grade, except with a powered pool safety cover or a lockable spa cover. The gap under a pool barrier is at most 2 inches on grass or gravel and at most 4 inches on concrete.
All 7 Livermore rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Large animals |
|
|---|---|
| Permit |
|
Building in a flood zone
Livermore code A development permit is needed before construction or development begins. 1 foot above the FIRM depth number, or at least 2 feet if none is given.
All 4 Livermore 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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
Livermore code No covered spaces are required. At least 8'6" wide by 19' long, with 7' clear height.
All 8 Livermore rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Livermore code $25.00. $50.00.
All 6 Livermore rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
| Election and other noncommercial signs |
|
|---|---|
| Signs that need no permit |
|
Trash and recycling carts
Livermore code Separate compostable materials from solid waste and recyclables. Put compostable materials in the containers the franchisee provides. Remove containers before 12:00 midnight on the day they are emptied, and store them out of public view.
All 4 Livermore rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Livermore code A certificate of appropriateness is required to alter or demolish. It is reviewed against LDC Section 9.02.050 findings. The Director first decides if it is historical. If so, the Historic Preservation Commission approves, conditions or denies the work.
All 11 Livermore rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Livermore rules on this
Livermore's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Accessory structures (LDC § 4.02.030)
- Home occupations (LDC § 6.02.060)
- Home occupation permit (LDC §§ 9.05.050, 9.05.130)
- Two-unit developments and urban lot splits (SB 9) (Ch. 11.50)
- Noise rules, including blowers and power tools (Ch. 9.36)
- Parks facilities fee (Ch. 12.60)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Livermore?
Livermore covers sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Land Development Code § 4.02.030. Livermore also has a related rule: Accessory structures (LDC § 4.02.030).
Can I run a business from my home in Livermore?
Running a business from home is covered by Livermore's home occupation rules and home occupation permit in the Land Development Code. Livermore also has a related rule: Home occupations (LDC § 6.02.060); Home occupation permit (LDC §§ 9.05.050, 9.05.130).
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Livermore?
Keeping fowl or livestock in Livermore needs an animal fancier permit, and livestock may not be pastured or tied in public places.
Can I run a family child care home in Livermore?
California law sets this for every city, including Livermore: 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)).
What signs may I put up at my home in Livermore?
Livermore's code: Up to 4 square feet per sign. (Temporary signs in residential zoning districts.) (§ 4.06.140); The number of signs is not limited. (Temporary signs in residential zoning districts.) (§ 4.06.140).
General information, not legal advice.
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