Livingston · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Livingston
Livingston's city code sets fence heights by yard with extra limits on corner lots, and keeps home businesses to one room run by residents. The city also has a section on accessory uses and structures.
Key points
- Fence height: In residential districts, front yard fences are limited to 36 inches, or 48 inches if 33-1/3% open; side and rear fences, 6 feet.
- Home businesses: City code limits a home business to one room and one-fourth of the main residence, at most 400 square feet; only residents may work.
- Accessory structures: City code has a section on accessory uses and structures (§ 5-4-1).
Each rule below is marked Livingston code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Livingston code In residential districts, front yard fences are limited to 36 inches, or 48 inches if 33-1/3% open; side and rear fences, 6 feet.
All 10 Livingston rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Livingston code City code limits a home business to one room and one-fourth of the main residence, at most 400 square feet; only residents may work.
All 8 Livingston rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Livingston code The building official approves and issues all needed permits when the application meets the city checklist; inspection may be required. Apply in person or electronically; expedited review against a standard plan and checklist.
All 3 Livingston rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Livingston code Exempt: removing trees that are dead or severely diseased. Exempt: removing trees that are a significant safety risk.
All 6 Livingston rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Swimming pools
Livingston code The pool must be completely surrounded by a fence. At least 5 feet from any side or rear lot line.
All 4 Livingston rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Livingston code Up to 3 domestic birds or fowl, combined with guinea pigs and other rodents; no more than 5 animals total. Only outside residential, commercial and industrial zones, on owned land of at least 5 acres, at most 2 per acre.
All 4 Livingston rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
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| Height of the lowest floor |
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Grading and erosion control
| Grading without a permit |
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|---|
Garage and yard sales
| Permit |
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|---|---|
| Signs |
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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 |
Signs on homes
Livingston code One extra sign: up to 2 square feet, unlighted, flat on the building. May show business name, hours or phone. Up to 32 square feet per sign.
All 7 Livingston rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Livingston code Subscribe to the city curbside refuse, garbage, rubbish and recycling programs within 7 days of occupying the dwelling unit. Separate garbage, recyclable materials and green waste, and place them in the appropriate city-approved containers.
All 5 Livingston rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Livingston rules on this
Livingston's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Accessory uses and structures (§ 5-4-1)
- Regional transportation impact fee (Title 4, Ch. 7)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Livingston?
City code has a section on accessory uses and structures (§ 5-4-1). Livingston also has a related rule: Accessory uses and structures (§ 5-4-1).
What are the rules for building in a Livingston flood zone?
Livingston's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or other development begins in a special flood hazard area. (§ 4-5-4-1); 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in an A zone.) (§ 4-5-5-1).
What are the grading rules in Livingston?
Livingston's code: Digs or fills under 3 feet deep, held by a retaining structure, creating no slope steeper than 2:1. (The City Engineer may waive the grading permit.) (§ 4-6-6); Digs or fills up to 15 cubic yards, under 3 feet deep, without structures, on grade no steeper than 5:1. (The City Engineer may waive the grading permit; drainage may not change.) (§ 4-6-6).
What are the garage sale rules in Livingston?
Livingston's code: A permit from the Finance Department is required; display it at the sale. (§ 3-16-6); Signs only during sale dates and hours; none on street, utility or traffic poles or city trees; remove after. (§ 3-16-6).
Can I run a family child care home in Livingston?
California law sets this for every city, including Livingston: 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.
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