Lomita · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Lomita
Lomita's city code sets fence heights by yard in residential zones, limits how much of the rear yard accessory structures may cover, and limits home businesses. A home business needs written approval and a business license.
Key points
- Fence height: In residential zones, city code limits fences to 42 inches in required front yards and 6 feet at rear and interior side lines.
- Rear yard coverage: Accessory buildings and structures may cover at most 50% of the required rear yard, not counting pools, spas, patio slabs and on-grade decks.
- Home businesses: City code limits a home business to 400 square feet and one employee outside the resident family; it needs written director approval.
Each rule below is marked Lomita code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Front yard height |
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|---|---|
| Side and rear yard height |
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Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Size or lot coverage |
|
|---|
Running a business from home
Lomita code City code limits a home business to 400 square feet and one employee outside the resident family; it needs written director approval.
All 4 Lomita rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Parking on the street |
|
|---|
Swimming pools
Lomita code Keep 6 feet of clearance between the fence and the face of the slope. At least 6 feet above the ground, including gates.
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|
Park and impact fees for new homes
| Parkland per 1,000 residents |
|
|---|
Noise and construction hours
Lomita code 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All 6 Lomita rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
Lomita code 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No more than 3 sales per calendar year.
All 3 Lomita rules on garage and yard sales, 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 |
Group homes and residential care
Lomita code A conditional use permit is required. Allowed in all zoning districts that permit single-family residences. Not required to meet any requirement of this section.
All 3 Lomita rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Lomita code Required spaces may not be in the required front setback areas. 1 guest parking space for each 2 units.
All 6 Lomita rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Lomita code An audible alarm must stop within 15 minutes of being activated. Apply for an alarm permit and pay a fee set by city council resolution.
All 3 Lomita rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Lomita code You must subscribe to the city's solid waste, recyclables and organic waste collection services. Put green waste in the green container, recyclables in the blue container, and solid waste in the gray container.
All 4 Lomita rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Lomita rules on this
Lomita's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Pets, chickens and roosters at a home (§ 11-1.30.09)
- Two-unit housing development (SB 9) (§ 11-1.30.17)
- Urban lot split parcel map (SB 9) (§ 11-2.76.1)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Lomita?
In residential zones, city code limits fences to 42 inches in required front yards and 6 feet at rear and interior side lines.
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Lomita?
Accessory buildings and structures may cover at most 50% of the required rear yard, not counting pools, spas, patio slabs and on-grade decks.
What are the rules for building in a Lomita flood zone?
Lomita's code: Before issuing any construction or development permit, the city decides if the site is in a special flood hazard area. (Includes placing manufactured homes.) (§ 10-10.11).
What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Lomita?
Lomita's code: 1½ acres per 1,000 people. (Used to set the most park land a subdivider must dedicate.) (§ 11-2.365).
Can I run a family child care home in Lomita?
California law sets this for every city, including Lomita: 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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