Palos Verdes Estates · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Palos Verdes Estates
Palos Verdes Estates sets the same height limits for fences, walls and accessory structures in its R-1 and R-M zones, based on the setback next to a public street. Greater heights need a special permit from the director or the planning commission.
Key points
- Fence heights: R-1 and R-M zones: fences at most 3 feet 6 inches in the street setback, and 6 feet 6 inches outside it.
- Habitable size: Habitable accessory structures: at most 700 square feet or 10 percent of the lot, whichever is less, without a conditional use permit.
- Home businesses: Home occupations may use at most 200 square feet, including storage, and only residents or immediate family may work there.
Each rule below is marked Palos Verdes Estates code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Palos Verdes Estates code R-1 and R-M zones: fences at most 3 feet 6 inches in the street setback, and 6 feet 6 inches outside it.
All 5 Palos Verdes Estates rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Palos Verdes Estates code Habitable accessory structures: at most 700 square feet or 10 percent of the lot, whichever is less, without a conditional use permit.
Running a business from home
Palos Verdes Estates code Home occupations may use at most 200 square feet, including storage, and only residents or immediate family may work there.
All 5 Palos Verdes Estates rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
Palos Verdes Estates code Not allowed. Not allowed.
All 3 Palos Verdes Estates rules on RV and boat parking, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
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|---|
Swimming pools
| Permit |
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Pets, chickens and bees
| Large animals |
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Also in Palos Verdes Estates's code: Which animals besides pets you may keep (§ 6.04.020). This page does not summarize it yet.
Building in a flood zone
Palos Verdes Estates code You need a development permit before any construction or development starts in a special flood hazard area. Fill and new development are not allowed unless a California civil engineer certifies no rise in base flood elevation.
All 5 Palos Verdes Estates rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
| When a grading permit is needed |
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|---|
Noise and construction hours
Palos Verdes Estates code Gas-powered leaf blowers are not allowed. Electric or battery leaf blowers louder than 65 decibels are not allowed.
All 5 Palos Verdes Estates rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
Palos Verdes Estates code Outdoor lights may not be used after seven-thirty p.m. or before 7 a.m. Outdoor lights may not be used after 9 p.m. or before 7 a.m.
All 5 Palos Verdes Estates rules on outdoor lighting, 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 |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| How long an alarm may sound |
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|---|---|
| False alarm fees |
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Trash and recycling carts
| Where carts are kept |
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Other Palos Verdes Estates rules on this
Palos Verdes Estates's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Which animals besides pets you may keep (§ 6.04.020)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Palos Verdes Estates?
Palos Verdes Estates's code: Permit applications may be filed electronically. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 15.20.020).
What are the grading rules in Palos Verdes Estates?
Palos Verdes Estates's code: A grading permit is needed for more than 250 cubic yards of cut and fill. (Any lot; a council grading permit is also needed for cuts or fills over 10 feet, or when a geology report is required.) (§ 18.24.030); A grading permit is needed for more than 100 cubic yards of cut and fill. (Grading outside the home foundation, garage and driveway.) (§ 18.24.030).
Can I run a family child care home in Palos Verdes Estates?
California law sets this for every city, including Palos Verdes Estates: 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 Palos Verdes Estates?
Palos Verdes Estates's code: An audible alarm must stop sounding automatically within one-half hour after activation. (§ 8.08.020); Charges for each false alarm response, set by resolution. (§ 8.08.040).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Palos Verdes Estates?
Palos Verdes Estates's code: On the premises and hidden from view of neighboring properties and streets. (§ 8.16.090).
General information, not legal advice.
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