Whittier · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Whittier
Whittier sets its own limits on storage sheds and other accessory buildings. The limits depend on the zone and the building's place on the lot.
Key points
- Storage sheds: On R-zoned lots, Whittier limits structures under 120 square feet, such as storage sheds, to 12 feet.
- R-E setbacks: On R-E lots, non-dwelling accessory buildings in the rear third need 5-foot side and 10-foot rear setbacks.
Each rule below is marked Whittier code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Whittier code On R-zoned lots, Whittier limits structures under 120 square feet, such as storage sheds, to 12 feet. On R-E lots, non-dwelling accessory buildings in the rear third need 5-foot side and 10-foot rear setbacks.
All 3 Whittier rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Whittier code Apply by email, the city's website or fax; electronic signatures are accepted. The permit is issued the same day.
All 3 Whittier rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Swimming pools
| Gates |
|
|---|
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Building on a hillside
Whittier code A soils and geologic report is required with the development plan application. No building in a mapped potential hazard area unless a competent geologic report shows it can be placed safely.
All 20 Whittier rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
| Construction hours on weekdays |
|
|---|---|
| Leaf blowers and equipment |
|
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 |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Whittier code Projects under a development agreement that expressly excludes this chapter or sets a different number of inclusionary units are exempt. The amount is set by the city's implementation regulations.
All 6 Whittier rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Whittier code required parking space(s) up to two spaces shall be located within a separate enclosed garage or within a parking structure, with the additional required parking within a carport first two required parking spaces for each unit shall be covered and located in a garage, parking structure or carport, with additional required parking allowed uncovered
All 14 Whittier rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Whittier code determined by resolution of the city council one
All 6 Whittier rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Whittier code 4 square feet five feet
All 8 Whittier rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Whittier code must subscribe to additional container service must not place refuse, recyclables, hazardous waste, biohazardous waste, universal waste, or other materials which are not organic waste in an organic-waste container
All 4 Whittier rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Historic homes
Whittier code certificate of appropriateness from the commission is not required prior to issuance of a building permit The commission may require a forty-five-day review period to look for alternatives to demolition or relocation
All 13 Whittier rules on historic homes, with the code text →
Other Whittier rules on this
Whittier's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Beekeeping not allowed (Ch. 8.20)
- Keeping homing pigeons (§ 8.28.040)
- Urban lot split approval (§ 17.06.100)
- Two-unit housing development (Ch. 18.57)
- Development impact fees (Ch. 3.48)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Whittier?
Whittier's code: Doors and gates can be no more than 4 feet wide. (Pool barrier doors and gates.) (§ 15.13.030).
What are the rules for building in a Whittier flood zone?
Whittier's code: A development permit is needed before construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. (Areas of special flood hazards.) (§ 15.40.130); At or above the base flood elevation. (Lowest floor, including basement, of new or substantially improved structures, homes included, in special flood hazard areas.) (§ 15.40.160).
What are the noise rules and construction hours in Whittier?
Whittier's code: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. (Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; building erection or demolition (not owner-resident remodels) and grading; city manager may waive for urgent need or safety.) (§ 8.32.040); Power saws, drills, lawn or garden tools and similar outdoor devices may not disturb across residential property lines at night. (Residential areas.) (§ 8.32.040).
Can I run a family child care home in Whittier?
California law sets this for every city, including Whittier: 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)).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific Whittier property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question