Westminster · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Westminster

Westminster sets its own limits on fences and accessory structures, and has its own sections on home-based businesses. Fence height depends on the yard, the lot type and the zone.

Ask about building on your lot in Westminster See coverage

Key points

Fence height: Westminster limits fences to 3 feet in any required front setback and 6 feet in R1 side and rear yards.
Accessory structures: Accessory structures over 120 square feet or 7 feet tall are limited to 15 feet to the peak, or 10 feet if flat-roofed.
Home businesses: Westminster has its own sections on home-based businesses and their zoning clearance permit.

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

Fences and walls

Westminster code Westminster limits fences to 3 feet in any required front setback and 6 feet in R1 side and rear yards.

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

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Westminster code Accessory structures over 120 square feet or 7 feet tall are limited to 15 feet to the peak, or 10 feet if flat-roofed.

All 8 Westminster rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →

Lot splits under SB 9

Westminster code Neither new lot can be smaller than 40% of the original lot's area. Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet.

All 10 Westminster rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →

RV and boat parking

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
Parking on the street	24 hours. Applies: Residents' RVs with a temporary police permit to load, unload or clean, within 500 feet of home; 12 permits per address per calendar year max. § 10.44.245 · code text A temporary RV parking permit issued to a resident shall be valid for twenty-four hours.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
Solar permit process	Apply by email, the city's website or fax; electronic signatures are accepted. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.06.050 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents via email, the city's website, or facsimile shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
Review time	The permit is issued within 3 business days. Applies: The application meets the approved checklist and standard plan. § 15.06.060 · code text For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the building department shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit within three business days.

Swimming pools

Westminster code Do not let scum, spit or debris build up; keep skimmers and water levels working continuously to remove it. Keep the pool sides and bottom, decks and other surfaces free of slime and algae.

All 4 Westminster rules on swimming pools, with the code text →

Pets, chickens and bees

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
Pet limit	No more than 6 animals over 4 months old. Applies: Any premises, except a licensed business that keeps animals. § 6.12.050 · code text it is unlawful for any person to keep, possess or harbor more than six animals over the age of four months on any premises

Building in a flood zone

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
Floodplain permit	A development permit is needed before construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. Applies: Development within any area of special flood hazards. § 8.55.130 · code text A development permit shall be obtained before construction or other development, including manufactured homes, within any area of special flood hazards established in Section 8.55.070.
Building in a floodway	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. § 8.55.200 · 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 Westminster. 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. § 8.55.200 · code text Within an adopted regulatory floodway, the city of Westminster 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.
Height of the lowest floor	At or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone. § 8.55.160 · code text In an AO zone, elevated to or above the base flood elevation. At least as high above the highest adjacent grade as the depth number in feet on the FIRM. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with a depth number on the FIRM. § 8.55.160 · 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, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. At least 2 feet above the highest adjacent grade. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone with no depth number on the FIRM. § 8.55.160 · 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, or elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent grade if no depth number is specified. At or above the base flood elevation. Applies: New or substantially improved homes in an unnumbered A zone. § 8.55.160 · code text In an A zone, without BFEs specified on the FIRM [unnumbered A zone], elevated to or above the base flood elevation; as determined under Section 8.55.140(C).

Park and impact fees for new homes

Westminster code $13,760 per single-family home, updated each year. The maximum fee the law allows, but no more than the single-family fee.

All 5 Westminster rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →

Noise and construction hours

Westminster code No more than 55 dB(A). No more than 55 dB(A).

All 7 Westminster rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →

Outdoor lighting

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
Shielding	Lights must be designed, aimed or shielded to keep direct light on-site and prevent spillover onto neighbors or roads. § 17.300.040 · code text All exterior lighting shall be designed, arranged, directed, or shielded in such a manner as to contain direct illumination on-site, thereby preventing excess illumination and light spillover onto adjoining land uses and/or roadways.

Garage and yard sales

Westminster code No more than 3 consecutive days. Bad weather may extend the sale by the days lost, if held within 7 days of the original date.

All 5 Westminster rules on garage and yard sales, with the code text →

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)

Parking spaces required for homes

Westminster code Minimum interior dimensions of 20 feet wide and 20 feet deep. Minimum interior dimensions of 10 feet by 20 feet for each space.

All 8 Westminster rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →

Home alarm permits and false alarms

Westminster code Fines are set by city council resolution. Double the fines set by city council resolution.

All 5 Westminster rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →

Signs on homes

Westminster code What Westminster's code adds
Election and other noncommercial signs	Remove signs within 30 days after the election. Applies: Political signs. § 17.330.025 · code text All political signs shall be removed within 30 days after the election without leaving debris. Signs must be at least 5 feet from any public right-of-way. Applies: Political signs (setback). § 17.330.025 · code text All such signs shall maintain a setback of at least five feet from any public right-of-way. Up to 40 square feet. Applies: Political signs. § 17.330.025 · code text A political sign shall not exceed 40 square feet in area.
Signs that need no permit	Political signs do not require a permit from the City. Applies: Political signs. § 17.330.025 · code text Political signs shall comply with all requirements of this Chapter applicable to temporary signs except that they shall not be required to obtain a permit from the City.

Other Westminster rules on this

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

Home-based businesses (§ 17.400.075)
Home-based business zoning clearance permit (Ch. 17.530)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Westminster?

Westminster has its own sections on home-based businesses and their zoning clearance permit. Westminster also has a related rule: Home-based businesses (§ 17.400.075); Home-based business zoning clearance permit (Ch. 17.530).

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

Westminster's code: Apply by email, the city's website or fax; electronic signatures are accepted. (Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.06.050); The permit is issued within 3 business days. (The application meets the approved checklist and standard plan.) (§ 15.06.060).

What are the rules for building in a Westminster flood zone?

Westminster's code: A development permit is needed before construction or development, including manufactured homes, in a special flood hazard area. (Development within any area of special flood hazards.) (§ 8.55.130); At or above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in an AO zone.) (§ 8.55.160).

What are the outdoor lighting rules for homes in Westminster?

Westminster's code: Lights must be designed, aimed or shielded to keep direct light on-site and prevent spillover onto neighbors or roads. (§ 17.300.040).

Can I run a family child care home in Westminster?

California law sets this for every city, including Westminster: 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)).

What signs may I put up at my home in Westminster?

Westminster's code: Remove signs within 30 days after the election. (Political signs.) (§ 17.330.025); Signs must be at least 5 feet from any public right-of-way. (Political signs (setback).) (§ 17.330.025).

General information, not legal advice.

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