Manhattan Beach · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach sets its own height, size and setback limits for accessory structures and its own home-business rules. Accessory-structure height depends on the roof shape and on a guest house above a garage.
Key points
- Accessory height: City rule: accessory structures are limited to 12 ft high, or 15 ft with a 3-in-12 roof slope and center ridge.
- Home businesses: City rule: home businesses need a Home Occupation Permit, may have no non-resident employees on site, and may not be barber or beauty shops.
Each rule below is marked Manhattan Beach 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
Manhattan Beach code City rule: accessory structures are limited to 12 ft high, or 15 ft with a 3-in-12 roof slope and center ridge.
All 7 Manhattan Beach rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Manhattan Beach code City rule: home businesses need a Home Occupation Permit, may have no non-resident employees on site, and may not be barber or beauty shops.
All 5 Manhattan Beach rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Manhattan Beach code Each new parcel must be at least 40% of the existing parcel. At least 1,200 square feet.
All 16 Manhattan Beach rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Parking on the street |
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Solar panels and EV chargers
Manhattan Beach code The Building Official issues all permits when the application meets the checklist, laws, and health and safety standards. Electronic filing and electronic signatures are allowed.
All 4 Manhattan Beach rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Manhattan Beach code Yes, a permit is required. Trees in the required front or corner street-side yard with trunks totaling at least 12 inches across at 4.5 feet.
All 3 Manhattan Beach rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Height of the lowest floor |
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Noise and construction hours
Manhattan Beach code Noise may not exceed 50 dB. Noise may not exceed 45 dB.
All 14 Manhattan Beach rules on noise and construction hours, 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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
| Guest parking |
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Home alarm permits and false alarms
| Alarm permit |
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Signs on homes
| For-sale and open-house signs |
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Trash and recycling carts
| Required collection service |
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Historic homes
Manhattan Beach code At least 45 years old. A property under 45 years old may qualify for local listing.
All 8 Manhattan Beach rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Manhattan Beach rules on this
Manhattan Beach's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Keeping and flying pigeons (Ch. 5.12)
- Draining a pool into the sewer (§ 5.36.290)
- Topography survey before grading (§ 10.80.010)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules for building in a Manhattan Beach flood zone?
Manhattan Beach's code: The first floor, including basement, must be at or above the regulatory flood elevation. (New homes.) (§ 9.76.030).
Can I run a family child care home in Manhattan Beach?
California law sets this for every city, including Manhattan Beach: 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 Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach's code: Required guest spaces may be in tandem. (R districts; no spaces other than the same unit's resident spaces may be blocked, and no undue traffic hazard (Strand lots excepted).) (§ 10.64.190).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach's code: An alarm permit is required. The user pays a fee set by City Council resolution before installation or takeover. (§ 3.56.030).
What signs may I put up at my home in Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach's code: One unlighted sign per street frontage, up to 6 square feet and 4 feet high; one flag or pennant per sign. (Real estate signs; exempt from the sign chapter, though an electrical or building permit may be required.) (§ 10.72.040); Freestanding directional open house signs up to 4 square feet, displayed 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Signs directing traffic to an open house.) (§ 10.72.040).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach's code: Residents of single-family and multi-family dwellings must use the refuse service the City provides. (§ 5.24.020).
General information, not legal advice.
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