Los Alamitos · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Los Alamitos

Los Alamitos' city code sets fence heights by yard and fence type in residential zones, limits accessory structures, and lists business types not allowed at home. Taller fences in setbacks next to a street or alley need a minor site development permit.

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Key points

Fence height: In residential zones, solid front yard fences are limited to 3 feet; other fences, including 90% open wrought iron in front yards, 7 feet.
Accessory structures: Detached accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, and to 640 square feet unless a site plan is approved.
Home businesses: City code bars many home business types, such as tattoo parlors, fortune telling and vehicle repair.

Each rule below is marked Los Alamitos code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Fences and walls

Los Alamitos code In residential zones, solid front yard fences are limited to 3 feet; other fences, including 90% open wrought iron in front yards, 7 feet.

All 6 Los Alamitos rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Los Alamitos code Detached accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, and to 640 square feet unless a site plan is approved.

All 6 Los Alamitos rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Running a business from home

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Permit	A new Home Occupation Permit and Business License are required. Applies: When the original permittee changes the type of home business. § 17.36.080 · code text A change in the type of home occupation activity (e.g., a change from one allowed activity to another allowed activity) conducted by the original resident/permittee shall also require a new Home Occupation Permit and Business License before conducting an allowed home occupation.
Businesses not allowed	Adult businesses; alcohol sales; ammunition, explosives, or fireworks sales, use, or manufacturing; commercial breeding, boarding, grooming, harboring, kenneling, raising, and/or training of dogs, cats, or other animals; on-site carpentry and cabinet making (a normal wood-working hobby is not prohibited); fortune telling; lawn mower and/or small engine repair; on-site massage establishments; medical and dental offices, clinics, and laboratories; mini storage; plant nursery; storage and/or sales of equipment, materials, and other accessories to the construction and service trades; tattoo parlors; television, radio, or appliance repair; tobacco/hookah lounges/parlors; vehicle repair, upholstery, automobile detailing, and painting (mobile or resident-conducted minor repair or detailing at the customer's location is not prohibited); vehicle sales whereby any vehicle is stored on the premises; welding and machining; and other similar uses determined by the Director not to be incidental to or compatible with residential activities § 17.36.020 · code text The following uses are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities and are prohibited as home occupations:

Solar panels and EV chargers

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Solar permit process	Only 1 inspection is required. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.06.060 · code text Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the building department for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review. The inspection is scheduled within 2 business days of a request. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.06.060 · code text The inspection shall be scheduled within two business days of a request, shall be done in a timely manner and should include consolidated inspections.
Review time	The permit is issued within 3 business days. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar; the application meets the approved checklist and standard plan. § 15.06.060 · code text For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the building official shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit within three business days.

Swimming pools

Los Alamitos code At least 5 feet high. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching.

All 5 Los Alamitos rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Los Alamitos code Yes, up to 4 hens; no roosters. At least 20 feet from any home on a neighboring lot; not in the front yard.

All 4 Los Alamitos rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Floodplain permit	You need a development permit before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, in any special flood hazard area. § 15.16.150 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.16.070.
Building in a floodway	No new construction or development, including fill, unless all development together raises base flood levels no more than 1 foot. Applies: Applies in zones A1-30 and AE until a regulatory floodway is adopted. § 15.16.220 · code text Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within zones A1-30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within Orange County. No fill, construction or other encroachment unless a registered civil engineer certifies it will not raise base flood levels. Applies: Applies within an adopted regulatory floodway. § 15.16.220 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, Orange County shall prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development, unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating that the proposed encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge.
Height of the lowest floor	The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones. § 15.16.170 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. The lowest floor must be at least as high above the highest adjacent ground as the flood map depth number. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone where the flood map shows a depth number. § 15.16.170 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at least 2 feet above the highest adjacent ground. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone where the flood map shows no depth number. § 15.16.170 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an A zone where the flood map shows no base flood elevation. § 15.16.170 · code text In an A zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM (unnumbered A zone), elevated to or above the base flood elevation; as determined under Section 15.16.140(C).

Park and impact fees for new homes

Los Alamitos code Exempt: condominiums made by converting an existing multi-unit residential building more than 5 years old. 2.5 acres of park land per 1,000 residents.

All 5 Los Alamitos rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →

Noise and construction hours

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Noise limit at homes	Noise may not exceed 50 dB(A). Applies: Outdoors, Noise District 1, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; for more than 30 minutes total in any hour. § 17.20.050 · code text \| 1—Nighttime \| 50 dB(A) \| 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. \| Noise may not exceed 55 dB(A). Applies: Indoors, Noise District 1, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., for uses other than multi-family homes; for over 5 minutes total in an hour. § 17.20.060 · code text \| 1—Daytime \| 55 dB(A) \| 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. \| Noise may not exceed 45 dB(A). Applies: Indoors, Noise District 1, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., for uses other than multi-family homes; for over 5 minutes total in an hour. § 17.20.060 · code text \| 1—Nighttime \| 45 dB(A) \| 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. \|

Outdoor lighting

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Shielding	Shield lights so the source and its reflection are not directly visible 5 or more feet past the property line. Applies: Where the light source is visible from outside the property. § 17.24.040 · code text Where the light source is visible from outside the project boundary, shielding shall be required to reduce glare so that neither the light source nor its image from a reflective surface shall be directly visible from a point five feet or more beyond the property line.

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
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)

Group homes and residential care

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Parking	All garage and driveway spaces must stay available for parking; residents and the house manager may each store or park only a single vehicle at the dwelling unit or on any street within 500 feet Applies: Group homes that need an operator's permit in the R2, R3, R4 and M-H zones; occupants must not require care and supervision § 5.52.050 · code text All garage and driveway spaces associated with the dwelling unit shall, at all times, be available for the parking of vehicles. Residents and the house manager may each only store or park a single vehicle at the dwelling unit or on any street within 500 feet of the dwelling unit.
Where allowed	Group homes in the R2, R3, R4 and M-H zones need a valid operator's permit. Applies: Applies to group homes where occupants do not require care and supervision. § 5.52.030 · code text It is unlawful for any person to operate, or to permit any person to operate, a group home on any property located within the R2, R3, R4 and M-H zones, without a valid operator's permit issued for that group home pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

Parking spaces required for homes

Los Alamitos code Park only on a paved driveway. No wider than the garage or carport, or 50 percent of the parcel width at the street, whichever is less.

All 8 Los Alamitos rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Los Alamitos code A fee set by city council resolution applies to each alarm. An increased fee applies to each alarm.

All 7 Los Alamitos rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Signs on homes

Los Alamitos code Up to 24 square feet in area and 8 feet in height per sign. Put up no more than 60 days before the event. Remove within 7 calendar days after the event.

All 12 Los Alamitos rules on signs on homes, with the code text →

Trash and recycling carts

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Where carts are kept	Shield from view within a building or an area enclosed by a wall at least 6 feet high. § 8.12.460 · code text All solid waste containers, for both residential and commercial customers, must be shielded from view within a building or area enclosed by a wall not less than six feet in height.

Historic homes

Los Alamitos code Director review. Planning Commission review.

All 4 Los Alamitos rules on historic homes, with the code text →

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Los Alamitos?

City code bars many home business types, such as tattoo parlors, fortune telling and vehicle repair.

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Los Alamitos?

Los Alamitos's code: Only 1 inspection is required. (Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.06.060); The inspection is scheduled within 2 business days of a request. (Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.06.060).

What are the rules for building in a Los Alamitos flood zone?

Los Alamitos's code: You need a development permit before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, in any special flood hazard area. (§ 15.16.150); The lowest floor must be at or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in AE, AH and A1-30 zones.) (§ 15.16.170).

What are the noise rules and construction hours in Los Alamitos?

Los Alamitos's code: Noise may not exceed 50 dB(A). (Outdoors, Noise District 1, 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.; for more than 30 minutes total in any hour.) (§ 17.20.050); Noise may not exceed 55 dB(A). (Indoors, Noise District 1, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., for uses other than multi-family homes; for over 5 minutes total in an hour.) (§ 17.20.060).

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Los Alamitos?

Los Alamitos's code: Shield lights so the source and its reflection are not directly visible 5 or more feet past the property line. (Where the light source is visible from outside the property.) (§ 17.24.040).

Can I run a family child care home in Los Alamitos?

California law sets this for every city, including Los Alamitos: 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)).

Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in Los Alamitos?

Los Alamitos's code: All garage and driveway spaces must stay available for parking; residents and the house manager may each store or park only a single vehicle at the dwelling unit or on any street within 500 feet (Group homes that need an operator's permit in the R2, R3, R4 and M-H zones; occupants must not require care and supervision) (§ 5.52.050); Group homes in the R2, R3, R4 and M-H zones need a valid operator's permit. (Applies to group homes where occupants do not require care and supervision.) (§ 5.52.030).

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Los Alamitos?

Los Alamitos's code: Shield from view within a building or an area enclosed by a wall at least 6 feet high. (§ 8.12.460).

General information, not legal advice.

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