Signal Hill · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Signal Hill
Signal Hill sets its own rules for rear and side fences and for detached accessory buildings.
Key points
- Fence height: Fences on rear and side property lines are limited to 6 feet (city rule).
- Accessory buildings: A detached accessory building at least 6 feet from the main building is not treated as a main building for development standards.
Each rule below is marked Signal Hill code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Side and rear yard height |
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Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Distance from the house |
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Lot splits under SB 9
Signal Hill code The lot must be in a single-family residential zone, including a specific plan limiting its use to one primary dwelling. Not allowed on specified protected, hazardous, agricultural, conservation, wetland, flood, fire-hazard, fault-zone or protected-species land, subject to stated exceptions.
All 5 Signal Hill rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
RV and boat parking
| Parking on the street |
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|---|
Solar panels and EV chargers
Signal Hill code Same day over the counter, or within 3 business days for electronic submissions. Expedited non-discretionary permit; 1 inspection.
All 5 Signal Hill rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
| Pool barrier |
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|---|
Noise and construction hours
Signal Hill code 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Not allowed on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays unless the building official issues a permit.
All 4 Signal Hill rules on noise and construction hours, 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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Home alarm permits and false alarms
Signal Hill code Fee set by city council resolution, based on reasonable police response costs and service level. No fee for false alarms within 30 days after initial installation.
All 3 Signal Hill rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Signal Hill code Up to 5 signs, 6 square feet each, 4 feet high. One sign per street frontage, up to 2 square feet and 1 foot high; only occupant names and address.
All 8 Signal Hill rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Signal Hill code You must subscribe to refuse collection service with the city or its contractor. May be exempted from mandatory service until the premises become occupied.
All 7 Signal Hill rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Signal Hill rules on this
Signal Hill's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Limit on pets per home (§ 6.04.060)
- Beekeeping not allowed (§ 8.25.030)
- Urban lot splits (Ch. 18.26)
- Two-unit projects (§ 20.10.041)
- Floodplain management (Ch. 15.42)
- Park and recreation impact fee (Ch. 21.40)
- Traffic impact fee (§ 21.48.040)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Signal Hill?
Fences on rear and side property lines are limited to 6 feet (city rule).
How big can a shed or accessory building be in Signal Hill?
A detached accessory building at least 6 feet from the main building is not treated as a main building for development standards.
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Signal Hill?
Signal Hill's code: A barrier restricting access is the primary safety device; a secondary safety device is also required inside the enclosure. (Residential pools.) (§ 15.36.020).
Can I run a family child care home in Signal Hill?
California law sets this for every city, including Signal Hill: 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 Signal Hill?
Signal Hill's code: 1 space per 10 dwelling units. (Senior citizen housing.) (§ 20.70.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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