Lompoc · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Lompoc
Lompoc's city code limits detached accessory structures in residential setbacks and sets strict limits on home businesses. A home business needs an administrative use permit and a business tax certificate.
Key points
- Accessory structures: In residential zones, detached accessory structures in side or rear setbacks are limited to 9 feet at the line, 20 feet 5 feet away.
- Home businesses: A home business must be entirely within the residence, with no customers or employees except for cottage food operations.
Each rule below is marked Lompoc code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Lompoc code In residential zones, detached accessory structures in side or rear setbacks are limited to 9 feet at the line, 20 feet 5 feet away.
All 4 Lompoc rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Lompoc code A home business must be entirely within the residence, with no customers or employees except for cottage food operations.
All 7 Lompoc rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Lompoc code No parking between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Up to 48 hours for emergency repairs.
All 4 Lompoc rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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|---|---|
| Review time |
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Tree removal
Lompoc code Trees over 6 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH). Plant at least 1 tree on-site for every tree over 6 inches DBH removed.
Swimming pools
Lompoc code At least 6 feet high. Gates and doors must be self-closing and self-latching.
Pets, chickens and bees
Lompoc code No hive within 600 feet of any home (other than the beekeeper's), hospital, school, church, office, store, hotel or apartment. Cows, calves and goats must be at least 100 feet from any home other than the keeper's own.
All 4 Lompoc rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
Lompoc code More than 50 cubic yards of cut, or more than 5,000 square feet disturbed. A permit is needed for over 50 cubic yards of fill on one site.
All 5 Lompoc rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
Lompoc code A geotechnical report is required before Architectural Design and Site Development Review. No cut higher than 16 feet from top to toe.
All 4 Lompoc rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
Lompoc code Daylight hours only. No more than 3 consecutive days.
All 6 Lompoc 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 |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Lompoc code A minimum of 55 years, or longer if specified financing, insurance or subsidy programs require it. Exempt: live/work units, ADUs and JADUs, mobile homes, emergency shelters, residential care homes, transitional housing, supportive housing.
All 7 Lompoc rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
| Garage and covered spaces |
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|---|---|
| Spaces per apartment or condo |
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| Spaces for a single-family home |
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Home alarm permits and false alarms
| Alarm permit |
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|---|
Trash and recycling carts
Lompoc code Remove containers by 6:00 p.m. on the day of collection. Not before 6:00 p.m. of the day preceding the collection
All 3 Lompoc rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
| When a building counts as historic |
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|---|
Other Lompoc rules on this
Lompoc's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Building in a flood hazard area (Ch. 15.48)
- Noise rules (Ch. 8.08)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Lompoc?
Lompoc's code: The permit is issued the same day. (Complete over-the-counter applications for small residential rooftop solar that meet the approved checklist and standard plan.) (§ 15.74.060); Administrative review; permit approved when an application meets checklist and standards with no specific harm to public health or safety. (§ 15.76.060).
Can I run a family child care home in Lompoc?
California law sets this for every city, including Lompoc: 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)).
How many parking spaces does a home need in Lompoc?
Lompoc's code: At least 50% of the total spaces must be covered. (Multi-family residential.) (§ 17.308.040); 1 space for each studio or 1-bedroom unit. (Multi-family residential; studio or 1-bedroom units.) (§ 17.308.040).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Lompoc?
Lompoc's code: An alarm permit is not required. (Alarm systems on residential property.) (§ 5.48.030).
What rules apply to a historic home in Lompoc?
Lompoc's code: A building must have existed at least 50 years at its present location. (One of the criteria for designating a resource as a Landmark.) (§ 17.616.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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