Norwalk · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Norwalk
Norwalk sets its own fence heights and accessory-building limits for residential zones. Home occupations have a separate city section.
Key points
- Fence height: City rule: fences are limited to 42 inches in the required front setback and 6 ft elsewhere on the lot, outside corner cut-offs.
- Accessory buildings: City rule: residential accessory buildings are limited to 1 story and 16 ft, and enclosed ones to 800 sq ft per property.
- Home occupations: Home occupations fall under the city's own section, § 17.02.150 (Home occupation permit).
Each rule below is marked Norwalk code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Norwalk code City rule: fences are limited to 42 inches in the required front setback and 6 ft elsewhere on the lot, outside corner cut-offs.
All 4 Norwalk rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Norwalk code City rule: residential accessory buildings are limited to 1 story and 16 ft, and enclosed ones to 800 sq ft per property.
All 4 Norwalk rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Parking on the street |
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Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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| Solar permit process |
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Swimming pools
Norwalk code Pool wastewater disposal needs prior approval and a way to empty the whole pool without surface runoff. At least 2 feet from any property line, and not in a public utility easement.
Building in a flood zone
Norwalk code A development permit is needed for all construction or development, including placing a manufactured home. No encroachment unless engineering analyses show it would not raise flood levels at all.
All 3 Norwalk rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
Norwalk code No more than 2 consecutive calendar days. A Director of Community Development permit is needed before the sale; post it visible from the street.
All 5 Norwalk 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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
Norwalk code 1 uncovered space for every 3 units or fraction thereof, for guests only. At least 2 uncovered guest spaces.
All 5 Norwalk rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Norwalk code An audible alarm must stop or automatically reset within 30 minutes of being activated. A service charge, set by City Council resolution, is billed to the alarm owner and due within 30 days.
All 3 Norwalk rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Norwalk code Up to 32 square feet in any zone. Signs may go up no sooner than 90 days before a general, primary or special election.
Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
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| When carts may go to the curb |
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| Where carts are kept |
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Other Norwalk rules on this
Norwalk's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Home occupation permit (§ 17.02.150)
- Permit to keep more animals at home (§ 17.02.140)
- Animals on residential properties (§ 17.04.200)
- Neighborhood noise limits (§ 9.04.140)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a business from my home in Norwalk?
Home occupations fall under the city's own section, § 17.02.150 (Home occupation permit). Norwalk also has a related rule: Home occupation permit (§ 17.02.150).
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Norwalk?
Norwalk's code: Expedited review; apply in person, by mail, or electronically with the permit processing fee. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 15.52.040); The Building Official issues all needed permits when the application meets the city checklist; electronic submittal is allowed. (EV charging stations; must meet applicable laws and safety standards; the charger may not be energized or used until the city approves.) (§ 15.54.040).
Can I run a family child care home in Norwalk?
California law sets this for every city, including Norwalk: 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)).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Norwalk?
Norwalk's code: Remove containers from the place of collection by 6:00 a.m. the day after collection. (§ 8.48.480); Put containers out no more than 24 hours before collection is scheduled to start in the neighborhood. (§ 8.48.480).
General information, not legal advice.
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