Pico Rivera · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Pico Rivera

Pico Rivera sets fence heights by location and by whether the fence blocks the view. Many home businesses are not allowed, including alcohol, firearm and retail sales, hairdressers, vehicle repair and cabinet making.

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Key points

Fence heights: Front setback fences, walls and hedges: at most 3.5 feet if view-obscuring, 4.5 feet if not; beyond the front setback, 7 feet.
Home businesses: Home occupations need a permit and may use at most 15% of the dwelling's floor area, with no non-resident employees or contractors.

Each rule below is marked Pico Rivera code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Fences and walls

Pico Rivera code Front setback fences, walls and hedges: at most 3.5 feet if view-obscuring, 4.5 feet if not; beyond the front setback, 7 feet.

All 4 Pico Rivera rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Running a business from home

Pico Rivera code Home occupations need a permit and may use at most 15% of the dwelling's floor area, with no non-resident employees or contractors.

All 6 Pico Rivera rules on running a business from home, with the code text →

RV and boat parking

Pico Rivera code What Pico Rivera's code adds
Size limit	Oversized: over 18 feet long, 80 inches wide or 80 inches high; no street parking 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. Applies: Applies to oversized vehicles, counting mirrors and attachments, on any public street, park road, alley or right-of-way. § 10.08.085 · code text "Oversized vehicle" shall be defined as any vehicle, whether motorized or nonmotorized, that exceeds eighteen feet in length, or eighty inches in width or eighty inches in height.
Parking on the street	Not allowed between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. Applies: Applies to oversized vehicles on any public street, park road, alley or right-of-way, except listed exemptions. § 10.80.010 · code text Except as provided in Section 10.80.020 or otherwise expressly provided to the contrary herein, no person shall park, stop, or leave standing on any public street, park road, alley or rights-of-way in the city any oversized vehicle between the hours of two a.m. and four a.m.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Pico Rivera code What Pico Rivera's code adds
EV charger permit	The building official issues all permits when the application meets the checklist; electronic filing and signatures are accepted. § 15.54.040 · code text The building official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications and associated supporting documents. In accepting such permit applications, the building official shall also accept electronic signatures on all forms, applications, and other documentation in lieu of a wet signature by any applicant.
Solar permit process	Permits issue when the application meets the checklist; apply in person, by mail or electronically with fees; e-signatures accepted. § 15.52.040 · code text An applicant may submit the permit application and associated documentation to the city's building division by personal, mailed or electronic submittal together with any required permit processing and inspection fees. Only 1 inspection. Applies: Applies to small rooftop home solar systems eligible for fast review. § 15.52.050 · code text For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection by the building official and fire chief.

Swimming pools

Pico Rivera code At least 5 feet tall. A temporary encroachment permit is required.

All 3 Pico Rivera rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Building in a flood zone

Pico Rivera code What Pico Rivera's code adds
Floodplain permit	A development permit is needed before any construction or other development begins. Applies: In any area of special flood hazard. § 15.50.490 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.50.420 of this chapter.
Height of the lowest floor	The lower of the AR base flood elevation or 3 feet above grade, but never under 2 feet above grade. Applies: Homes in an AR zone; the lowest floor includes any basement; measured above the highest adjacent grade. § 15.50.525 · code text Residential construction, shall have the lowest floor, including basement, in an AR zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to the lower of either the AR base, flood elevation or the elevation that is three feet above the highest adjacent grade, but in no event shall be less than two feet above the highest adjacent grade.

Park and impact fees for new homes

Pico Rivera code The city's average fair market land value, adjusted annually for property appreciation. 8 acres per 1,000 residents.

All 3 Pico Rivera rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →

Outdoor lighting

Pico Rivera code What Pico Rivera's code adds
Fixture height	No higher than 20 feet. Applies: Freestanding outdoor lighting. § 18.18.050 · code text Freestanding outdoor lighting shall not exceed 20 feet in height.
Shielding	Lights must point downward, be recessed or be shielded. § 18.18.050 · code text Outdoor lighting shall be directed downward (i.e., not above the horizontal plane), recessed, and/or shielded to prevent light or glare beyond the required area and onto an abutting property, except within the public right-of-way at the discretion of the Public Works Director.

Family child care homes

CA state law California law
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)

Group homes and residential care

Pico Rivera code All garage and driveway spaces stay available. Each resident and the house manager may park only one vehicle. Up to 6 residents, not counting a house manager, and never more than 7. Accessory dwelling unit residents count.

All 4 Pico Rivera rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Pico Rivera code What Pico Rivera's code adds
How long an alarm may sound	An audible alarm must stop or automatically reset within 30 minutes of being activated. § 8.28.050 · code text An audible alarm shall terminate its operation or the audible alarm shall automatically reset within thirty minutes of its being activated.

Trash and recycling carts

Pico Rivera code Remove containers no later than 12 hours after the scheduled pickup time. Put containers near the curb no earlier than 12 hours before the scheduled pickup time.

All 3 Pico Rivera rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →

Other Pico Rivera rules on this

Pico Rivera's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Keeping animals at home (§ 18.22.060)
Grading and drainage plan approval (§ 18.18.030)
Unnecessary noise (§ 8.40.010)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Pico Rivera?

Pico Rivera's code: Oversized: over 18 feet long, 80 inches wide or 80 inches high; no street parking 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. (Applies to oversized vehicles, counting mirrors and attachments, on any public street, park road, alley or right-of-way.) (§ 10.08.085).

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Pico Rivera?

Pico Rivera's code: Permits issue when the application meets the checklist; apply in person, by mail or electronically with fees; e-signatures accepted. (§ 15.52.040); The building official issues all permits when the application meets the checklist; electronic filing and signatures are accepted. (§ 15.54.040).

What are the rules for building in a Pico Rivera flood zone?

Pico Rivera's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or other development begins. (In any area of special flood hazard.) (§ 15.50.490); The lower of the AR base flood elevation or 3 feet above grade, but never under 2 feet above grade. (Homes in an AR zone; the lowest floor includes any basement; measured above the highest adjacent grade.) (§ 15.50.525).

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Pico Rivera?

Pico Rivera's code: Lights must point downward, be recessed or be shielded. (§ 18.18.050); No higher than 20 feet. (Freestanding outdoor lighting.) (§ 18.18.050).

Can I run a family child care home in Pico Rivera?

California law sets this for every city, including Pico Rivera: 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 Pico Rivera?

Pico Rivera's code: An audible alarm must stop or automatically reset within 30 minutes of being activated. (§ 8.28.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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