Earlier editions: 2026-09
Municipal code
Whittier Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of Whittier, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-10-04
- Contents
- 21 titles · 2,288 sections
- Jurisdiction
- Whittier
Contents
- WHITTIER, CALIFORNIA - MUNICIPAL CODE
- SUPPLEMENT HISTORY TABLE
▸CHARTER OF THE CITY OF WHITTIER
Overview- Article I — INCORPORATION AND SUCCESSION
- Article II — POWERS OF CITY
- Article III — FORM OF GOVERNMENT
- Article IV — CITY COUNCIL
- Article V — CITY MANAGER
- Article VI — OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
- Article VII — APPOINTIVE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
- Article VIII — CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM
- Article IX — RETIREMENT
- Article X — ELECTIONS
- Article XI — FISCAL ADMINISTRATION
- Article XII — BOARD OF EDUCATION
- Article XIII — HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT
- Article XIV — FRANCHISES
- Article XV — MISCELLANEOUS
▸Title 2 — ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
Overview- Chapter 2.04 — CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.05 — BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
- Chapter 2.06 — CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.08 — BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES AND LIBRARY DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.12 — DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
- Chapter 2.14 — HISTORIC RESOURCES COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.16 — PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.20 — PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.24 — PERSONNEL BOARD
- Chapter 2.28 — PLANNING COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.32 — REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
- Chapter 2.36 — SOCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.38 — ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMITTEE
- Chapter 2.40 — ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENTS
- Chapter 2.44 — EMERGENCY ORGANIZATION
- Chapter 2.48 — EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION BENEFITS AND FUND
- Chapter 2.54 — CAMPAIGN FINANCE DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 2.56 — ARGUMENTS ON CITY MEASURES
▸Title 3 — REVENUE AND FINANCE
Overview- Chapter 3.04 — TAX ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION
- Chapter 3.08 — HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITY REVENUE BOND LAW
- Chapter 3.12 — SALES AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.14 — NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.16 — SEWER CONSTRUCTION FUND
- Chapter 3.20 — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
- Chapter 3.24 — UTILITIES TAX
- Chapter 3.28 — SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY
- Chapter 3.32 — UTILITY REVENUE BONDS
▸Chapter 3.36 — SPECIAL TAX FINANCING IMPROVEMENT
- Chapter 3.40 — MOBILE SOURCE AIR POLLUTION REDUCTION PROGRAM
- Chapter 3.44 — PENALTY FOR DELINQUENT PAYMENTS ON ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
- Chapter 3.46 — VIDEO FRANCHISE FEES, CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND OTHER VIDEO-RELATED MATTERS
- Chapter 3.48 — DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES
- Chapter 3.52 — COMMUNITY BENEFIT DISTRICTS
▸Title 5 — BUSINESS LICENSES, TAXES AND REGULATIONS
Overview- Chapter 5.04 — LICENSING REGULATIONS
- Chapter 5.06 — UPTOWN WHITTIER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA
- Chapter 5.12 — BINGO GAMES
- Chapter 5.16 — SPECIAL EVENTS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
- Chapter 5.20 — FALSE ALARMS
- Chapter 5.28 — DRIVE-IN RESTAURANTS
- Chapter 5.40 — UNATTENDED DONATION/COLLECTION BOXES
- Chapter 5.44 — MOTION PICTURES AND FILMING ACTIVITIES
- Chapter 5.48 — PAWNSHOPS AND PAWNBROKERS
- Chapter 5.52 — PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS
- Chapter 5.54 — SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR BUSINESS FROM PUBLIC STREETS AND HIGHWAYS
- Chapter 5.56 — SHOOTING RANGES
- Chapter 5.60 — TAXICABS
- Chapter 5.64 — TOW CAR SERVICE
▸Title 6 — ANIMALS
▸Title 8 — HEALTH AND SAFETY
Overview- Chapter 8.04 — PUBLIC HEALTH CODE
- Chapter 8.08 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
- Chapter 8.12 — SOLID WASTE
- Chapter 8.14 — MANDATORY ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION
- Chapter 8.16 — BURIALS
- Chapter 8.20 — BEEKEEPING
- Chapter 8.22 — GRAFFITI ABATEMENT FEES AND PROCEDURE
- Chapter 8.24 — WEED ABATEMENT
- Chapter 8.26 — SEWER USER FEES
- Chapter 8.28 — HOMING PIGEONS
- Chapter 8.32 — NOISE CONTROL
- Chapter 8.36 — STORMWATER AND RUNOFF POLLUTION CONTROL
- Chapter 8.38 — SMOKING IN PUBLIC FACILITIES
▸Title 9 — PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE
Overview- Chapter 9.08 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC DECENCY
- Chapter 9.12 — INTOXICATED PERSONS
- Chapter 9.16 — HOTEL REGISTRATION
- Chapter 9.20 — MOBILEHOME RENT STABILIZATION
- Chapter 9.24 — TARGETED RESIDENTIAL PICKETING
- Chapter 9.32 — OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY
- Chapter 9.33 — AEROSOL PAINT CONTAINERS AND MARKER PENS
- Chapter 9.34 — GRAFFITI
- Chapter 9.36 — FORTUNETELLING
- Chapter 9.40 — NIGHTTIME CURFEW FOR MINORS
- Chapter 9.42 — DAYTIME CURFEW FOR MINORS
- Chapter 9.48 — FIREARMS
- Chapter 9.50 — UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS
- Chapter 9.52 — RELOCATION BENEFITS
- Chapter 9.56 — COST RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR SECOND RESPONSES
- Chapter 9.60 — AGGRESSIVE SOLICITATION
- Chapter 9.61 — SHOPPING CARTS
▸Title 10 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Overview- Chapter 10.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 10.08 — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 10.10 — COST RECOVERY FOR VEHICLE REMOVAL
- Chapter 10.12 — TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES
▸Chapter 10.16 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
- Chapter 10.18 — Preferential Parking Program
- Chapter 10.20 — SPECIAL STOPS
- Chapter 10.24 — TURNING MOVEMENTS
- Chapter 10.28 — ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS
- Chapter 10.32 — LOADING AND UNLOADING ZONES
- Chapter 10.36 — RESTRICTED USE OF CERTAIN STREETS
- Chapter 10.40 — COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
- Chapter 10.44 — VEHICLES TRANPORTING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
- Chapter 10.48 — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
- Chapter 10.52 — SKATEBOARDS, BICYCLES AND MOTORCYCLES
- Chapter 10.56 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
- Chapter 10.60 — PROHIBITION OF CRUISING
- Chapter 10.64 — PEDESTRIANS
▸Title 12 — STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES
Overview- Chapter 12.08 — NEWSRACKS
- Chapter 12.12 — PARADES AND PROCESSIONS
- Chapter 12.16 — STREET DEDICATION AND IMPROVEMENT
- Chapter 12.20 — ENCROACHMENTS AND EXCAVATIONS
- Chapter 12.24 — COMPLETE STREETS PROGRAM
- Chapter 12.28 — EXCAVATIONS AND GRADE CHANGES
- Chapter 12.36 — HOUSE NUMBERING
- Chapter 12.40 — TREES AND SHRUBS
- Chapter 12.42 — CAMPING AND STORAGE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY IN PUBLIC AREAS
- Chapter 12.44 — PUBLIC PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
- Chapter 12.46 — BUS BENCHES
- Chapter 12.52 — ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM
- Chapter 12.54 — SIDEWALK VENDORS
- Chapter 12.56 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
▸Title 13 — PUBLIC SERVICES
▸Title 15 — BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
Overview- Chapter 15.01 — ADOPTION OF TECHNICAL BUILDING CODES AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
- Chapter 15.02 — BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.03 — RESIDENTIAL CODE
- Chapter 15.04 — ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.05 — MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.06 — PLUMBING CODE
- Chapter 15.07 — ENERGY CODE
- Chapter 15.08 — HISTORIC BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.09 — EXISTING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.10 — GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
- Chapter 15.11 — WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
- Chapter 15.12 — REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE
- Chapter 15.13 — 2024 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE
- Chapter 15.14 — ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS CODE
- Chapter 15.15 — UNIFORM HOUSING CODE
- Chapter 15.16 — FIRE CODE
- Chapter 15.18 — ROOF COVERINGS AND ROOF COVERING ASSEMBLIES
- Chapter 15.20 — CONSTRUCTION HOURS
- Chapter 15.22 — STOP WORK CITATIONS
- Chapter 15.24 — PLAN CHECK FEES
- Chapter 15.28 — FIREWORKS
- Chapter 15.30 — HOUSE MOVING
- Chapter 15.32 — USE OF TENTS AND COMMERCIAL TRAILERS
- Chapter 15.34 — SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS
- Chapter 15.36 — NEW RESIDENTIAL ENERGY GUIDELINES
- Chapter 15.38 — EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION IN EXISTING BUILDINGS
▸Title 16 — SIGNS
▸Title 17 — SUBDIVISIONS
Overview- Chapter 17.02 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 17.04 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 17.06 — TENTATIVE MAP FILING PROCEDURES
- Chapter 17.08 — FINAL TRACT MAPS AND PARCEL MAPS
- Chapter 17.10 — LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS, PARCEL MERGERS AND OTHER PROCEDURES
- Chapter 17.12 — SUBDIVISION DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 17.14 — DEDICATIONS AND RESERVATIONS
- Chapter 17.16 — PARK LAND AND FEES DEDICATION
- Chapter 17.18 — OBSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY AND PUBLIC PROPERTY
- Chapter 17.20 — ENFORCEMENT, VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
▸Title 18 — ZONING
Overview▸Division I — Zoning
Overview- Chapter 18.02 — GENERAL PLAN
- Chapter 18.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 18.06 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 18.07 — LAND USE DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 18.08 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONES AND ZONING MAP
- Chapter 18.09 — OS OPEN SPACE ZONE
- Chapter 18.10 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES GENERALLY
- Chapter 18.11 — INCLUSIONARY HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 18.12 — R-E SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ESTATE ZONE
- Chapter 18.14 — H-R HILLSIDE RESIDENTIAL ZONE
- Chapter 18.16 — R-1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE
- Chapter 18.18 — R-2 LIGHT MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL ZONE
- Chapter 18.20 — R-3 MEDIUM MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL ZONE
- Chapter 18.22 — R-4 HEAVY MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL ZONE
- Chapter 18.23 — R-5 VERY HEAVY MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL ZONE
- Chapter 18.24 — COMMERCIAL ZONES GENERALLY
- Chapter 18.26 — C-O COMMERCIAL-OFFICE ZONE
- Chapter 18.28 — C-1 LIGHT COMMERCIAL ZONE
- Chapter 18.30 — C-2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONE
- Chapter 18.32 — C-3 COMMERCIAL- MANUFACTURING ZONE
- Chapter 18.33 — INV INNOVATION ZONE
- Chapter 18.34 — M MANUFACTURING ZONE
- Chapter 18.35 — MU MIXED-USE ZONES
- Chapter 18.36 — P PARKING OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 18.37 — MED MEDICAL ZONE
- Chapter 18.38 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS MODIFICATIONS
- Chapter 18.39 — PQP PUBLIC AND QUASI-PUBLIC ZONE
- Chapter 18.40 — PUT PARKS AND URBAN TRAILS ZONE
- Chapter 18.41 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 18.42 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
- Chapter 18.43 — GC GOLF COURSE ZONE
- Chapter 18.44 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 18.45 — MARIJUANA REGULATIONS
- Chapter 18.46 — EQUESTRIAN USES
- Chapter 18.47 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY
- Chapter 18.48 — OFF-STREET PARKING
- Chapter 18.49 — SMOKING LOUNGES
- Chapter 18.50 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 18.51 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS IN HOUSING TO DISABLED OR HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUALS
▸Chapter 18.52 — VARIANCES AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
- Chapter 18.54 — TEMPORARY USES
- Chapter 18.55 — STREAMLINED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ON HOUSING ELEMENT SITES
- Chapter 18.56 — DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
- Chapter 18.57 — TWO-UNIT HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
- Chapter 18.58 — ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
- Chapter 18.60 — AMENDMENTS
- Chapter 18.62 — NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES AND SITES
- Chapter 18.64 — YARDS AND LOTS
- Chapter 18.66 — DENSITY BONUS PROGRAM
- Chapter 18.67 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
▸Division II — Signs
Overview- Chapter 18.68 — OUTDOOR ADVERTISING STRUCTURES
- Chapter 18.72 — ON-PREMISES SIGNS
- Chapter 18.73 — OFF-PREMISES SIGNS—SIGNS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY—HUMAN ADVERTISEMENTS
- Chapter 18.75 — ON-PREMISES SIGN PERMIT REQUIREMENTS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES
- Chapter 18.76 — SIGN CONSTRUCTION AND PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 18.78 — NONCONFORMING AND ILLEGAL SIGNS
▸Division III — Condominiums
▸Division IV — Historic Resources
Overview▸Chapter 18.84 — HISTORIC RESOURCES
Overview- Article I — Introduction
- Article II — Designation of Historic Landmarks and Districts
- Article III — Certificate of Appropriateness— Economic Hardship
- Article IV — Mills Act Agreement
- Article V — Maintenance and Demolition
- Article VI — Historic Preservation
- Article VII — Modification, Expiration and Extensions
- Chapter 18.86 — EARLHAM HISTORIC DISTRICT
- Chapter 18.87 — HADLEY/GREENLEAF HISTORIC DISTRICT
- Chapter 18.88 — CENTRAL PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT
- Chapter 18.89 — COLLEGE HILLS HISTORIC DISTRICT
▸Division V — Emergency Procedure
▸Division VI — Community Design
Overview- Chapter 18.92 — SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
- Chapter 18.93 — MULTI-FAMILY AND MIXED-USE OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
- Chapter 18.94 — MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
- Chapter 18.96 — COMMERCIAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
- Chapter 18.98 — MANUFACTURING DESIGN GUIDELINES
- Chapter 18.99 — PARKING STRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS & DESIGN GUIDELINES
- STATUTORY REFERENCES FOR CALIFORNIA CITIES
- CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
- ORDINANCE LIST AND DISPOSITION TABLE
- CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE AND DISPOSITION LIST