Simi Valley · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Simi Valley
Simi Valley sets its own limits on fences, accessory structures and home businesses. Lower fence limits apply in the TSSA, and a home business needs a valid Home Occupation Permit.
Key points
- Fence height: In residential zones, front-setback fences are limited to 42 inches, or 6 feet if see-through; other property line fences, 6 feet.
- Accessory size: On lots under 1 acre, accessory structures are limited to 30% of the main building's square footage, up to 1,200 square feet.
- Home businesses: A home business may use 1 room, at most 20% of the home, with no non-resident employees; professional services, 1 client at a time.
Each rule below is marked Simi Valley code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
Simi Valley code In residential zones, front-setback fences are limited to 42 inches, or 6 feet if see-through; other property line fences, 6 feet.
All 12 Simi Valley rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Simi Valley code On lots under 1 acre, accessory structures are limited to 30% of the main building's square footage, up to 1,200 square feet.
All 9 Simi Valley rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Simi Valley code A home business may use 1 room, at most 20% of the home, with no non-resident employees; professional services, 1 client at a time.
All 5 Simi Valley rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Simi Valley code Expedited review and permit approval within 7 business days. Issued over the counter in person, or through electronic submittal.
All 3 Simi Valley rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Simi Valley code No replacement or payment for the tree's value is required. Yes, a Tree Removal Permit is required.
All 5 Simi Valley rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
Simi Valley code A flood area development permit is needed before construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. The lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation.
All 5 Simi Valley rules on building in a flood zone, with the code text →
Building on a hillside
Simi Valley code A soils engineering report and a geology report are required with each application. No manufactured slope may be higher than 30 feet, including any retaining wall built into it.
All 4 Simi Valley rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
| Parkland per 1,000 residents |
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Outdoor lighting
| 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 |
Parking spaces required for homes
Simi Valley code At least 50 percent of the front yard must stay landscaped. 2 spaces per single-family dwelling unit, in an enclosed garage.
All 5 Simi Valley rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
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| False alarms before a fee |
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Signs on homes
Simi Valley code No more than 128 days. Election signs may go up no earlier than 60 days before the election.
All 6 Simi Valley rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Simi Valley code Containers may not stay on the street later than 10:00 p.m. on collection day. Not before 4:30 p.m. on the day before collection.
All 3 Simi Valley rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Simi Valley code Certificate of Appropriateness. Certificate of Appropriateness, or filing and waiting the specified time.
All 7 Simi Valley rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Simi Valley rules on this
Simi Valley'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 (§ 9-44.060)
- Two-unit homes on one lot (SB 9) (§ 9-24.080)
- Parking oversized vehicles and trailers on streets (§ 4-9.402) — on public streets
- Hillside grading standards (§ 9-32.110) — hillside areas and large grading jobs only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Simi Valley?
Simi Valley's code: 5 acres per 1,000 people. (Land subdividers must dedicate, based on the subdivision's population.) (§ 9-68.060).
What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Simi Valley?
Simi Valley's code: Light must point away from neighboring uses, with no light or glare onto neighboring properties or streets; no flashing lights. (Residential, commercial and industrial light fixtures.) (§ 9-30.040).
Can I run a family child care home in Simi Valley?
California law sets this for every city, including Simi Valley: 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 Simi Valley?
Simi Valley's code: Fine amounts are set by City Council resolution and rise for repeat false alarms. (Each false alarm over 2 in a calendar year.) (§ 5-30.10); The first 2 false alarms in a calendar year carry no fine. (§ 5-30.10).
General information, not legal advice.
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