Pasadena · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Pasadena
Pasadena sets fence heights by zone, yard and neighboring use, with separate limits for multi-family projects. Accessory structures may reach 15 feet overall only as they step away from the 2-foot setback inside the encroachment plane.
Key points
- Fence heights: RS and RM-12 districts: front fences at most 4 feet and 50 percent open; interior side and rear setbacks, 6 feet next to residences.
- Accessory size: All accessory structures: at most 600 square feet or 6 percent of the lot, whichever is greater; top plate at most 9 feet.
- Home businesses: Home occupations: at most 500 square feet, by appointment only, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; only a resident may work.
Each rule below is marked Pasadena code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Pasadena code RS and RM-12 districts: front fences at most 4 feet and 50 percent open; interior side and rear setbacks, 6 feet next to residences.
All 15 Pasadena rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Pasadena code All accessory structures: at most 600 square feet or 6 percent of the lot, whichever is greater; top plate at most 9 feet.
All 9 Pasadena rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Pasadena code Home occupations: at most 500 square feet, by appointment only, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; only a resident may work.
All 7 Pasadena rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| Solar permit process |
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Pets, chickens and bees
Pasadena code Yes; no roosters. At least 35 feet.
All 6 Pasadena rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Grading and erosion control
| Erosion control plan |
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Building on a hillside
| Soils or geology report |
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Noise and construction hours
Pasadena code Construction is allowed from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Construction is allowed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.
All 5 Pasadena rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Outdoor lighting
| Light at the property line |
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| Shielding |
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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)
Pasadena code The Council's Fee Resolution sets the fee; the code gives no amount. At least 20 percent of units go to very low, low or moderate-income households.
All 5 Pasadena rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Group homes and residential care
Pasadena code A reasonable accommodation permit is required. No more than 6 boarders, tenants or renters.
All 5 Pasadena rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Pasadena code 1 guest parking space for each 10 units. 2 covered spaces per unit.
All 5 Pasadena rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| How long an alarm may sound |
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Signs on homes
Pasadena code At most 25 square feet cumulative per residential dwelling unit. At most 16 square feet per sign.
All 9 Pasadena rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
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Historic homes
Pasadena code Certificate of Appropriateness approval. Certificate of Appropriateness approval.
All 4 Pasadena rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Pasadena rules on this
Pasadena's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 16.08.240)
- Where to drain pool water (§ 13.24.430)
- Keeping and protecting trees on a site (§ 17.44.090)
- Floodplain management (Ch. 14.27)
- Residential park impact fee (Ch. 4.17)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Pasadena?
Pasadena's code: Fast administrative and ministerial review for small rooftop solar that meets the city's checklist. (Applies to small rooftop solar systems eligible for fast permitting.) (§ 14.90.030); Electronic filing and electronic signatures are accepted. (Applies to small rooftop solar permit applications.) (§ 14.90.040).
What are the grading rules in Pasadena?
Pasadena's code: Graded slopes steeper than 3 to 1 or higher than 10 feet need temporary soil protection. (Grading during the rainy season.) (§ 14.05.086).
What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Pasadena?
Pasadena's code: A preliminary geotechnical report is required; a final report may also be required, depending on the site and design. (Hillside Development Permit applications.) (§ 17.29.080).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Pasadena?
Pasadena's code: Lights must be shielded or recessed, keep glare on site, and point down and away from neighbors and streets. (§ 17.40.080); Light may be no more than 1 footcandle on another property. (Any property in a residential zone, except the site of the light.) (§ 17.40.080).
Can I run a family child care home in Pasadena?
California law sets this for every city, including Pasadena: 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 Pasadena?
Pasadena's code: 15 minutes. (§ 5.24.110).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in Pasadena?
Pasadena's code: Within 24 hours of pickup, move containers from the curb onto the premises, not readily visible from the street. (§ 8.60.320).
General information, not legal advice.
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