Malibu · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Malibu

Malibu protects native oak, walnut, sycamore, alder and toyon trees, with exceptions for some hazardous, disaster-damaged and ornamental trees. Rooftop solar and other permits are issued once a complete application meets the city checklist.

Ask about building on your lot in Malibu See coverage

Key points

Native trees: Malibu requires a coastal development permit to remove native trees or build in their protected zone; removal needs no feasible alternative and mitigation.
Rooftop solar: Malibu issues building and electrical permits for small rooftop solar once the complete application meets the checklist; utility approval to connect is separate.

Each rule below is marked Malibu 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

Malibu code What Malibu's code adds
EV charger permit	The building official issues all permits when the application meets the city checklist, laws and health and safety standards. § 15.36.020 · code text A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the city's checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed.
Solar permit process	Building and electrical permits issue once the complete application meets the checklist; utility connection approval is separate. Applies: Applies to small rooftop home solar systems. § 15.32.040 · code text Upon confirmation by the building official that the application and supporting documentation is complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the building official shall approve the application and shall issue the required building and electrical permits.

Tree removal

Malibu code Malibu requires a coastal development permit to remove native trees or build in their protected zone; removal needs no feasible alternative and mitigation.

All 6 Malibu rules on tree removal, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Malibu code What Malibu's code adds
Floodplain permit	You need a development permit before any construction or other development starts in a special flood hazard area. Applies: Applies in special flood hazard areas. § 15.20.060 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.20.050.
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 an Approximate/Unnumbered Zone A and Zones A1-30 and AE until a regulatory floodway is adopted. § 15.20.175 · code text Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or other development, including fill, shall be permitted within an Approximate/Unnumbered Zone A and in 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 the city of Malibu. 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. § 15.20.175 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the city of Malibu 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	Lowest floor: at least flood map depth number plus 1 foot above highest adjacent ground, or 3 feet if none. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone. § 15.20.100 · code text In an AO zone, the lowest floor including basement shall be elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM by at least one foot, or elevated at least three feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified; The lowest horizontal support must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in a VE zone. § 15.20.100 · code text In a VE zone, the lowest horizontal support member shall be elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation, shown on the effective FIRM; The lowest floor, including basement, must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in all other zones, including Zone AE and Unnumbered/Approximate Zone A. § 15.20.100 · code text In all other zones, including Zone AE and the Unnumbered/Approximate Zone A, the lowest floor including basement shall be elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation shown on the effective FIRM.

Grading and erosion control

Malibu code What Malibu's code adds
Steepest cut or fill slope	Slopes may be no steeper than 3:1. Applies: Areas made for buildings and open yards. § 8.3 · code text 3:1 for areas created for development of structures and open yard areas. Transition slopes may be no steeper than 2:1. Applies: Applies to transition slopes. § 8.3 · code text Transition slopes may not exceed 2:1 and shall not exceed the maximum height permitted for cuts or fills.

Building on a hillside

Malibu code What Malibu's code adds
When hillside rules apply	Extra erosion measures apply above 10 percent slope. Applies: Projects sending runoff onto slopes over 10 percent must add measures to prevent erosion downstream. § 17.4.3 · code text Additional measures to prevent downstream erosion, such as contour drainage outlets that disperse water back to sheet flow, shall be implemented for projects discharging onto slopes greater than 10 percent.

Noise and construction hours

Malibu code Construction tools and equipment may run only from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Construction may run only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All 5 Malibu rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →

Outdoor lighting

Malibu code Outdoor lights must be off by 11:00 p.m. or when no one is outside, whichever is later. Outdoor light color must be 3,000 Kelvin or less.

All 10 Malibu rules on outdoor lighting, with the code text →

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)

Parking spaces required for homes

Malibu code A residential parking space must be at least 18 feet long and 10 feet wide. 1 guest space for each 4 units or fraction of 4 units.

All 7 Malibu rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Malibu code What Malibu's code adds
Alarm permit	An alarm permit is required; the application fee is set by city council resolution. § 8.08.050 · code text Applications for an alarm user permit or renewal shall be submitted by the alarm user to the city clerk on a form prescribed by the city and upon payment of an application processing fee established by resolution of the city council.
When a permit can be revoked	A false alarm that indicates a violation of Penal Code Section 211 is a ground for revoking the permit. § 8.08.110 · code text Any false alarm indicating a violation of California Penal Code Section 211.

Trash and recycling carts

Malibu code What Malibu's code adds
Required collection service	Use a franchisee or permitted collector and pay city-approved fees for solid waste, organic waste and recycling collection. Applies: Residential property owners and householders; the rule also covers businesses. § 8.32.450 · code text Each residential property owner and householder and commercial/industrial business owner in the city shall, at all times utilize the services of a franchisee or a permitted collector and pay the fees approved by the city council for the collection of solid waste, organic waste, and recyclable material.

Other Malibu rules on this

Malibu's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Parkland development fee (Ch. 17.58)
Keeping horses and other animals at a home (§ 3.13.2) — single-family homes
Draining a pool or spa (§ 17.5.6)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Malibu issues building and electrical permits for small rooftop solar once the complete application meets the checklist; utility approval to connect is separate.

What are the rules for building in a Malibu flood zone?

Malibu's code: You need a development permit before any construction or other development starts in a special flood hazard area. (Applies in special flood hazard areas.) (§ 15.20.060); Lowest floor: at least flood map depth number plus 1 foot above highest adjacent ground, or 3 feet if none. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone.) (§ 15.20.100).

What are the grading rules in Malibu?

Malibu's code: Slopes may be no steeper than 3:1. (Areas made for buildings and open yards.) (§ 8.3); Transition slopes may be no steeper than 2:1. (Applies to transition slopes.) (§ 8.3).

What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Malibu?

Malibu's code: Extra erosion measures apply above 10 percent slope. (Projects sending runoff onto slopes over 10 percent must add measures to prevent erosion downstream.) (§ 17.4.3).

Can I run a family child care home in Malibu?

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

Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Malibu?

Malibu's code: An alarm permit is required; the application fee is set by city council resolution. (§ 8.08.050); A false alarm that indicates a violation of Penal Code Section 211 is a ground for revoking the permit. (§ 8.08.110).

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Malibu?

Malibu's code: Use a franchisee or permitted collector and pay city-approved fees for solid waste, organic waste and recycling collection. (Residential property owners and householders; the rule also covers businesses.) (§ 8.32.450).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Malibu property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Malibu

Malibu Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Malibu

Buying & selling in Malibu

Property taxes in Malibu

Malibu overview