South El Monte · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in South El Monte
South El Monte sets its own limits on fences and home businesses. Fence height depends on the zone, the yard and whether the fence is see-through.
Key points
- Fence height: South El Monte limits residential front-yard fences to 42 inches if solid, or 6 feet if the part above 42 inches is see-through.
- Home businesses: South El Monte allows home businesses only inside the home, with resident family members only and a home occupation permit.
Each rule below is marked South El Monte code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
South El Monte code South El Monte limits residential front-yard fences to 42 inches if solid, or 6 feet if the part above 42 inches is see-through.
All 10 South El Monte rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Running a business from home
South El Monte code South El Monte allows home businesses only inside the home, with resident family members only and a home occupation permit.
All 6 South El Monte rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
South El Monte code Garage needs a listed cabinet, box or enclosure with a raceway to the electrical service, for a future EV charger. All required spaces need a listed cabinet, box or enclosure with conduit to the electrical service, for future EV chargers.
All 4 South El Monte rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
South El Monte code A permit from the community development director, after a home inspection, for 1 more cat or dog. Up to 3 cats and/or dogs, in any combination.
All 7 South El Monte rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
South El Monte code 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Not allowed at any time.
All 10 South El Monte rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
| Permit |
|
|---|---|
| Signs |
|
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
South El Monte code 1 guest parking space for every 4 units. 2 standard spaces per dwelling unit within a garage.
All 5 South El Monte rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
|
|---|---|
| False alarms before a fee |
|
Trash and recycling carts
| When carts must come back |
|
|---|---|
| When carts may go to the curb |
|
| Where carts are kept |
|
Other South El Monte rules on this
South El Monte's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Permit to build in a flood hazard area (§ 17.03.100)
- Park land or fee for new homes (§ 16.36.015)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the garage sale rules in South El Monte?
South El Monte's code: Residents may get a garage/yard sale permit from the community development department with proof of residency. (For sales on their property on the days the city code sets.) (§ 5.10.045); Signs must be removed by 5 p.m. on the last day the garage sale may lawfully be held. (Applies to the removal deadline.) (§ 5.10.050).
Can I run a family child care home in South El Monte?
California law sets this for every city, including South El Monte: 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 South El Monte?
South El Monte's code: A service charge applies. City council resolution sets the amount. (Each third and later law enforcement response during a fiscal year.) (§ 8.16.050); The service charge applies from the third law enforcement response for a false alarm in a fiscal year. (Alarm owners.) (§ 8.16.050).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in South El Monte?
South El Monte's code: Do not leave containers at the place of collection after 8 p.m. on collection day. (Residential householders; or more than 2 hours after actual collection, whichever is later.) (§ 13.12.600); Not more than twenty-four hours before collection is scheduled to commence (§ 13.12.600).
General information, not legal advice.
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