Rosemead · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Rosemead
Rosemead sets its own rules for fences and home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard and on reversed corner lots, and cottage food operations follow separate rules.
Key points
- Fence height: In the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, fences are limited to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in rear or side yards.
- Home businesses: A home business may use at most 200 square feet, only full-time residents may work there, and it needs a Home Occupation Business License.
Each rule below is marked Rosemead code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Rosemead code In the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, fences are limited to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in rear or side yards.
All 5 Rosemead rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Rosemead code A home business may use at most 200 square feet, only full-time residents may work there, and it needs a Home Occupation Business License.
All 5 Rosemead rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Rosemead code All needed permits are issued when the application meets the City checklist and all laws; electronic submittal is allowed. Administrative, nondiscretionary building permit; 1 inspection, scheduled within 2 business days of a request.
All 5 Rosemead rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Rosemead code No permit to remove trees up to 37.5 inches around (12 inches across) at 4.5 feet above the root crown. Part or all of a hazardous protected tree may be removed in an emergency.
Pets, chickens and bees
Rosemead code No beehives, except at schools, physicians' offices or laboratories that keep bees from flying loose. Yes, only where zoning allows; fenced area at least 4 feet high, lockable gate, not in the front setback.
All 5 Rosemead rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
| Noise limit at homes |
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|---|
Outdoor lighting
| Shielding |
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|---|
Garage and yard sales
Rosemead code 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. No more than 3 days in a row.
All 5 Rosemead 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
| Guest parking |
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|---|---|
| Spaces per apartment or condo |
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| Spaces for a single-family home |
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Home alarm permits and false alarms
| How long an alarm may sound |
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Signs on homes
| For-sale and open-house signs |
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Other Rosemead rules on this
Rosemead's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Urban lot split parcel maps (SB 9) (§ 16.08.240)
- Urban lot split standards (SB 9) (§ 17.30.220)
- Parking RVs and trailers at home (§ 17.112.070)
- Keeping a pool maintained (§ 8.38.060)
- Floodplain management (Ch. 13.17)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Rosemead?
Rosemead's code: 45 dBA outdoors from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (Measured at a home; may not be exceeded for more than 30 minutes in any hour.) (§ 8.36.060); 60 dBA outdoors from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Measured at a home; may not be exceeded for more than 30 minutes in any hour.) (§ 8.36.060).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Rosemead?
Rosemead's code: Outdoor lights must be low intensity and shielded so light does not spill onto neighbors or shine above horizontal. (§ 17.88.020).
Can I run a family child care home in Rosemead?
California law sets this for every city, including Rosemead: 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)).
How many parking spaces does a home need in Rosemead?
Rosemead's code: 1 space per 2 dwelling units (§ 17.112.040); 2 spaces per dwelling unit (§ 17.112.040).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in Rosemead?
Rosemead's code: An audible alarm must stop or reset within 30 minutes of being activated. (§ 8.12.040).
What signs may I put up at my home in Rosemead?
Rosemead's code: 1 sign, at most 7 square feet in sign area (§ 17.116.060).
General information, not legal advice.
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