Monrovia · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Monrovia
Monrovia sets its own sight limit at intersections and its own home-business rules. Its fence rule covers the corner sight areas in all zones.
Key points
- Corner sight areas: City rule: in all zones, nothing higher than 3 ft may stand in the triangular sight areas at intersections.
- Home businesses: City rule: a home business may use 1 room of the dwelling or an accessory structure and is run by resident family members only.
Each rule below is marked Monrovia code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Corner visibility |
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Running a business from home
| Space used |
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| Employees |
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RV and boat parking
Monrovia code In the rear or side yard. No.
All 4 Monrovia rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Monrovia code Expedited, nondiscretionary review; permit issued within 3 business days of a complete application meeting the checklist and standard plan. Electronic submittal and electronic signatures are accepted.
All 5 Monrovia rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Monrovia code Removal may be ordered by a police, fire or Parks and Tree Division staff member. An infraction.
Swimming pools
Monrovia code No more than 2 inches between grade and the bottom of the barrier. Up to 4 inches between grade and the bottom of the barrier is allowed.
All 18 Monrovia rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
Monrovia code Yes; no number limit is stated. Animals, fowl and birds other than dogs, cats, canaries and parrot-family birds may not be kept within 50 feet.
All 9 Monrovia rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
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Grading and erosion control
| Grading without a permit |
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Building on a hillside
| When hillside rules apply |
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Also in Monrovia's code: Seismic design for hillside buildings (§ 1613.6) — steep slopes only; Hillside development permit (§ 17.52.095) — infill hillside lots. This page does not summarize it yet.
Outdoor lighting
| Light at the property line |
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Garage and yard sales
Monrovia code 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A license from the city License Officer is required; the applicant declares the items are their own used property.
All 3 Monrovia 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)
Monrovia code A minimum of 55 years. A minimum of 45 years.
All 5 Monrovia rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Monrovia code Paved parking spaces are not allowed in the front yard Each enclosed garage must be at least 18 feet wide and 20 feet deep inside
All 8 Monrovia rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Signs on homes
| For-sale and open-house signs |
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Trash and recycling carts
Monrovia code Customers must arrange for collection and proper disposal of solid waste Place green waste in the residential green waste container or bin provided under the city's collection contract
All 4 Monrovia rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Monrovia code A certificate of appropriateness from the Commission is required first The Department reviews the work and Commission review is not required
All 6 Monrovia rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Monrovia rules on this
Monrovia's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Seismic design for hillside buildings (§ 1613.6) — steep slopes only
- Hillside development permit (§ 17.52.095) — infill hillside lots
- Noise limits at homes (Ch. 9.44)
- Fire service impact fee (Ch. 3.21)
- Traffic impact fee (§ 3.22.020)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Monrovia?
City rule: in all zones, nothing higher than 3 ft may stand in the triangular sight areas at intersections.
Can I run a business from my home in Monrovia?
City rule: a home business may use 1 room of the dwelling or an accessory structure and is run by resident family members only.
What are the rules for building in a Monrovia flood zone?
Monrovia's code: A permit is needed for all construction or development; the Floodplain Administrator decides if flood rules apply. (Includes placing manufactured homes.) (§ 15.48.080).
What are the grading rules in Monrovia?
Monrovia's code: Minor grading less than 12 inches deep. (Only when the Engineer specifically exempts it. It must not redirect or concentrate drainage and must be of negligible hazard.) (§ 15.28.060); Digs for basements, footings, pools or underground structures with a building permit; digs or fill under a plumbing permit. (The permits must be valid. All other grading rules still apply.) (§ 15.28.060).
What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Monrovia?
Monrovia's code: Slopes steeper than 1 unit vertical in 3 units horizontal (33.3%). (Seismic design rules apply to new buildings and additions built on or into such slopes.) (§ 1613.6).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Monrovia?
Monrovia's code: No direct or reflected glare may be visible from the property boundary line. (Glare from floodlights, high-temperature processes such as combustion or welding, or other processes.) (§ 17.32.090).
Can I run a family child care home in Monrovia?
California law sets this for every city, including Monrovia: 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)).
What signs may I put up at my home in Monrovia?
Monrovia's code: No more than 2 signs per lot or parcel, on the land the signs refer to (§ 17.28.070); No more than 6 square feet (§ 17.28.070).
General information, not legal advice.
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