West Hollywood · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in West Hollywood

West Hollywood sets its own limits on fences and accessory structures. Fence height depends on the setback and how transparent the fence is, and walls next to commercial uses may be taller.

Ask about building on your lot in West Hollywood See coverage

Key points

Fence height: West Hollywood limits solid front-setback fences to 42 inches, or 6 feet if at least 50% transparent above that; side and rear, 6 feet.
Accessory structures: West Hollywood limits accessory structures in a required rear setback to 16 feet and one story, and garages or carports to 15 feet.

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

Fences and walls

West Hollywood code West Hollywood limits solid front-setback fences to 42 inches, or 6 feet if at least 50% transparent above that; side and rear, 6 feet.

All 10 West Hollywood rules on fences and walls, with the code text →

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

West Hollywood code West Hollywood limits accessory structures in a required rear setback to 16 feet and one story, and garages or carports to 15 feet.

All 9 West Hollywood rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Solar panels and EV chargers

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
EV charger permit	Landlords must approve a tenant's written charger request for their parking space if the tenant meets terms and pays costs. Applies: Applies to rental units, except properties exempt from that title of the code. § 17.58.020 · code text A landlord of a rental unit shall approve a written request of a tenant to install an electric vehicle charging station at a parking space allotted for the tenant that meets the requirements of this chapter and complies with the landlord's procedural approval process for modification to the property.

Building in a flood zone

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Floodplain permit	A flood damage prevention permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes. Applies: Within an area of special flood hazard. § 15.68.140 · code text A flood damage prevention permit shall be obtained before any construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 15.68.070.
Building in a floodway	No fill, new construction or other encroachment unless a registered civil engineer certifies no increase in base flood levels. Applies: Within an adopted regulatory floodway. § 15.68.210 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the City of West Hollywood shall prohibit encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, and other development, unless certification by a registered civil engineer is provided demonstrating that the proposed encroachment shall not result in any increase in flood levels during the occurrence of the base flood discharge. No new construction or development, including fill, unless all development combined raises the base flood by at most 1 foot. Applies: Zones A1-30 and AE, until a regulatory floodway is adopted. § 15.68.210 · code text Until a regulatory floodway is adopted, no new construction, substantial development, or other development (including fill) shall be permitted within Zones A1-30 and AE, unless it is demonstrated that the cumulative effect of the proposed development, when combined with all other development, will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more than one foot at any point within the City of West Hollywood.
Height of the lowest floor	At or above the base flood elevation. Applies: Lowest floor, including basement, of a new or substantially improved home in Zones AE, AH and A1-30. § 15.68.160 · code text In AE, AH, A1-30 Zones, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. Above the highest adjacent grade, at least as high as the depth number in feet shown on the FIRM. Applies: Lowest floor, including basement, of a new or substantially improved home in an AO zone with a depth number on the FIRM. § 15.68.160 · code text In an AO zone, elevated above the highest adjacent grade to a height equal to or exceeding the depth number specified in feet on the FIRM At least 2 feet above the highest adjacent grade. Applies: Lowest floor, including basement, of a new or substantially improved home in an AO zone with no depth number on the FIRM. § 15.68.160 · code text or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. At or above the base flood elevation, as the city's floodplain rules determine it. Applies: Lowest floor, including basement, of a new or substantially improved home in an unnumbered A zone (no base flood elevations on the FIRM). § 15.68.160 · code text In an A zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM [unnumbered A zone], elevated to or above the base flood elevation;

Noise and construction hours

West Hollywood code 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for interior work only; no construction on Sundays or listed holidays.

All 4 West Hollywood rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →

Outdoor lighting

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Shielding	Aim lights away from neighbors and public rights-of-way; shield them so all glare stays on the site. § 19.20.100 · code text Be directed away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way;

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)

Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)

West Hollywood code Affordable units stay affordable permanently. New single-family dwellings, and replacing one single-family dwelling with another, are exempt.

All 7 West Hollywood rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →

Home alarm permits and false alarms

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Alarm permit	Apply to the City Clerk for an alarm subscriber permit. The processing fee is set by City Council resolution. § 9.16.050 · code text Applications for an alarm subscriber permit or renewal shall be submitted to the City Clerk on a form prescribed by the city and upon payment of an application processing fee established by resolution of the City Council.
When a permit can be revoked	The City Council may revoke the alarm permit. Applies: On the Sheriff's recommendation, including after any false alarm indicating a violation of California Penal Code Section 211. § 9.16.110 · code text Any false alarm indicating a violation of California Penal Code Section 211.

Signs on homes

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Signs that need no permit	Up to 2 site address signs per street address need no sign permit. § 19.34.110 · code text A maximum of two site address signs are allowed for each street address, in compliance with Section 19.20.200.

Trash and recycling carts

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Required collection service	Residents must subscribe to a three-container collection service. § 15.36.040 · code text Residents shall subscribe to a three-container collection service and generators shall place materials into the container as follows:
Where carts are kept	Keep containers in the side yard or rear yard. Applies: Before the time set for collection. § 15.36.070 · code text In the case of residential properties, each container or bundle shall be kept in the side yard or rear yard prior to the time designated for collection, unless otherwise authorized by the City Manager.

Historic homes

West Hollywood code What West Hollywood's code adds
Changing a historic home	Community Development Director approval of a certificate of appropriateness. Applies: Minor details, paint, minor site improvements, signage, fences, replacing window glass, in-kind replacement of windows, doors, roofs or exterior materials, or ordinary maintenance or repair. § 19.58.100 · code text The Community Development Director may approve Certificates of Appropriateness for proposals which are for minor architectural elements and details, paint or other colorings or finishes, minor site improvements, or signage.
Demolishing an older or historic home	A certificate of appropriateness to demolish may be issued only after a project is proposed and approved. Applies: Demolition of a cultural resource. § 19.58.110 · code text A certificate of appropriateness to demolish a cultural resource may not be issued for any building for which there is no project proposed and thereafter approved; demolition of a cultural resource requires concurrent processing and approval in compliance with Section 19.50.040 (Concurrent Processing of Permits).

Other West Hollywood rules on this

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

Keeping chickens and pygmy goats at home (Ch. 9.54)
SB 9 two-unit projects (§ 19.36.325)
Development impact fees (Ch. 19.64)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in West Hollywood?

West Hollywood's code: Landlords must approve a tenant's written charger request for their parking space if the tenant meets terms and pays costs. (Applies to rental units, except properties exempt from that title of the code.) (§ 17.58.020).

What are the rules for building in a West Hollywood flood zone?

West Hollywood's code: A flood damage prevention permit is needed before any construction or development, including manufactured homes. (Within an area of special flood hazard.) (§ 15.68.140); At or above the base flood elevation. (Lowest floor, including basement, of a new or substantially improved home in Zones AE, AH and A1-30.) (§ 15.68.160).

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in West Hollywood?

West Hollywood's code: Aim lights away from neighbors and public rights-of-way; shield them so all glare stays on the site. (§ 19.20.100).

Can I run a family child care home in West Hollywood?

California law sets this for every city, including West Hollywood: 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 West Hollywood?

West Hollywood's code: Apply to the City Clerk for an alarm subscriber permit. The processing fee is set by City Council resolution. (§ 9.16.050); The City Council may revoke the alarm permit. (On the Sheriff's recommendation, including after any false alarm indicating a violation of California Penal Code Section 211.) (§ 9.16.110).

What signs may I put up at my home in West Hollywood?

West Hollywood's code: Up to 2 site address signs per street address need no sign permit. (§ 19.34.110).

When can trash carts go out to the curb in West Hollywood?

West Hollywood's code: Residents must subscribe to a three-container collection service. (§ 15.36.040); Keep containers in the side yard or rear yard. (Before the time set for collection.) (§ 15.36.070).

What rules apply to a historic home in West Hollywood?

West Hollywood's code: Community Development Director approval of a certificate of appropriateness. (Minor details, paint, minor site improvements, signage, fences, replacing window glass, in-kind replacement of windows, doors, roofs or exterior materials, or ordinary maintenance or repair.) (§ 19.58.100); A certificate of appropriateness to demolish may be issued only after a project is proposed and approved. (Demolition of a cultural resource.) (§ 19.58.110).

General information, not legal advice.

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