Alhambra · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Alhambra

Alhambra sets lower fence heights in front and street side yards and requires design review there. The city also limits accessory structure height and rear-yard coverage, and limits the space, visits and workers of home businesses.

Ask about building on your lot in Alhambra See coverage

Key points

Fence height: Alhambra limits fences to 3 feet in front yards and near street side lines, 6 feet elsewhere except within 25 feet of an intersection.
Accessory structures: Alhambra limits accessory structures to 15 feet and to 40% of the required rear yard setback area.
Home business: Alhambra home businesses may use one room, at most 25% of one floor or 100 square feet, whichever is less; 3 clients at once.

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

Fences and walls

Alhambra code What Alhambra's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot	Fences, walls and dense hedges can be up to 6 feet tall. Applies: Not in the front yard, not within 5 feet of a street side line, and not within 25 feet of an intersection. § 23.12.050 · code text Fences, walls, dense hedges, and similar structures located on all other portions of a lot may be a maximum of six feet.
Front yard height	Fences, walls and dense hedges can be up to 3 feet tall, measured from finished grade. Applies: In the front yard. § 23.12.050 · code text Fences, walls, dense hedges, and similar structures may be a maximum of three feet high measured from finished grade when located within the front yard or within five feet of a street side property line. A retaining wall plus the fence on top can be no more than 6 feet tall in total. Applies: Where there is a retaining wall, the fence or wall itself can be at most 3 feet, measured from the grade of the retained soil. § 23.12.050 · code text In the event that there is a retaining wall, the maximum height of the fence or wall shall not exceed three feet, measured from the grade of the dirt for which the wall is retaining, but in no event shall the height of the retaining wall, together with the fence or wall, exceed six feet above sidewalk elevation.
Side and rear yard height	Fences, walls and dense hedges can be up to 3 feet tall, measured from finished grade. Applies: Within 5 feet of a street side property line. § 23.12.050 · code text Fences, walls, dense hedges, and similar structures may be a maximum of three feet high measured from finished grade when located within the front yard or within five feet of a street side property line.
Permit	Design review is required. Applies: Fences, walls, dense hedges and similar structures in front and street side yards. § 23.12.050 · code text Fences, walls, dense hedges, and similar structures located within front and street side yards are subject to design review pursuant to Chapter 23.33 and the following.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Alhambra code What Alhambra's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet tall. § 23.12.020 · code text Accessory structures shall not exceed a height of 15 feet.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 40% of the required rear yard setback area. Applies: Rear yard coverage by accessory structures. § 23.12.020 · code text Accessory structures shall not occupy more than 40% of the required rear yard setback area.
Side and rear setback	At least 3 feet from any interior side or rear lot line. § 23.12.020 · code text Accessory structures shall be set back a minimum of three feet from any interior side or rear lot line.

Running a business from home

Alhambra code What Alhambra's code adds
Space used	One room only, no more than 25% of one floor's gross area or 100 square feet, whichever is less. § 23.22.170 · code text The home occupation shall be confined completely to one room located within the dwelling which space shall not occupy an area equivalent to more than 25% of the gross area of one floor thereof, or 100 square feet, whichever is less.
Customer visits	No client or customer visits between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. § 23.22.170 · code text Clients or customers shall not visit the home occupation between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. No more than 3 clients or customers at a time. Applies: On the premises at any one time. § 23.22.170 · code text There shall be no more than three clients or customers on the premises at any one time.
Employees	Only residents of the home can work there; no other employees or independent contractors. Applies: General home businesses; cottage food operations have their own rule. § 23.22.170 · code text No employees or independent contractors other than residents of the dwelling unit shall be permitted to work at the location of a home occupation except as otherwise allowed for cottage food operations. 1 full-time equivalent employee. Applies: Cottage food operations, in addition to the operator and household members who live in the unit. § 23.22.170 · code text Only the cottage food operator and members of his or her household living in the unit, as well as one full-time equivalent cottage food employee, may participate in a cottage food operation.
Permit	A separate City of Alhambra business license is required for each home business. Applies: Where applicable. § 23.22.170 · code text Where applicable, a separate City of Alhambra business license is required for each home occupation. No city permit is needed. Applies: Microenterprise home kitchen operations; a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health permit is still required. § 23.22.170 · code text A microenterprise home kitchen operation, as defined in Cal. Health and Safety Code § 114367.4, is a permitted use of residential property in any residential dwelling, which shall not require a permit to operate from the city, but shall be subject to the following standards:
Businesses not allowed	Automobile/vehicle sales and services; eating and drinking establishments, except for microenterprise home kitchen operations; hotels and motels, except for short-term rentals; hospitals and clinics; personal services, not including photographers, shoe and luggage repair, repair and fitting of clothes, and similar repair services § 23.22.170 · code text The following specific uses, either by operation or nature, are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities and shall therefore not be permitted as home occupations:

RV and boat parking

Alhambra code What Alhambra's code adds
Where it may be parked	Interior side and rear yards only, at least 3 feet from property lines. Not in front or street side yards. Applies: Only in storage areas designated on the development plan and CC&Rs. § 23.12.110 · code text Where such areas are provided, they shall be permitted in the interior and rear yards setback with a minimum of three feet from interior and rear property lines In front of the home or next to its side yard, or as close as reasonably possible. Applies: Temporary 72-hour permit for a mobile home, camper, trailer or RV; at most 2 times per calendar month; street at least 32 feet wide. § 11.36.050 · code text Such vehicle, once permitted, shall be parked in front of and/or adjacent to the side yard (if corner lot) of the owner’s principal place of residence or as close thereto as reasonably possible
Screening and surface	Enclosed and screened by a 6-foot decorative masonry wall and opaque gate, with landscaping. Applies: Applies to exclusive storage areas shown on the development plan and in the project CC&Rs. § 23.12.110 · code text enclosed and screened from view by a six-foot high decorative masonry wall and opaque gate, and landscaping, with adequate security lighting directed away from adjacent residences
Parking on the street	Up to 72 hours with a temporary permit. Applies: Resident permit from the Police Department, at most 2 times per calendar month. Park in front of the home; street at least 32 feet wide. § 11.36.050 · code text Notwithstanding the overnight parking prohibitions set forth elsewhere in this chapter, a temporary 72-hour permit may be obtained by a resident a maximum of two times for each calendar month for parking of mobile home, camper, house trailer or recreational vehicles
Living in an RV	Not allowed. A stored trailer or RV may not be used for living. Applies: Applies to a trailer or RV stored under the RV storage rule. § 23.12.110 · code text The trailer or recreational vehicle shall not be occupied for living purposes.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Alhambra code What Alhambra's code adds
EV charger permit	You may apply in person or online through the electronic submittal system. Applies: Applies to installing an electric vehicle charging station. § 20.23.030 · code text The application for an electric vehicle charging station permit shall meet the requirements of § 20.09.010 and may be submitted in person or electronically through the online submittal system maintained by the Building Official.
Solar permit process	Administrative approval and all required permits once the application is complete and meets the checklist. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems. § 20.19.050 · code text Upon confirmation by the Building Official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.

Tree removal

Alhambra code What Alhambra's code adds
Exemptions	Exempt: side and rear yard trees in RL and RM zones, fruit trees, non-native palms, dead wood, routine non-damaging pruning. Also exempt: imminent public safety or welfare emergencies, traffic sight-line work, and authorized protection of public or utility property. § 23.12.170 · code text The following are exempt from the requirement for a tree permit.
Penalty	A citation for each tree removed without a permit. Applies: Applies to tree removal during construction or work that breaks this chapter. § 23.12.170 · code text a Code Enforcement Officer shall issue a citation per tree removed without a permit No building permits for the property for 1 year. Applies: Applies to tree removal that breaks this chapter and is not part of a development project. § 23.12.170 · code text no building permits on the property associated with the violation shall be issued for a period of one year.
Permit to remove	Yes. A tree permit is required to remove or materially alter a protected tree. Applies: Private property: oaks and California native trees over 15 feet tall or 12 inches diameter; other trees over 20 feet tall or 24 inches diameter. § 23.12.170 · code text A tree permit is required to remove or otherwise materially alter a protected tree on private property whether vacant, undeveloped, in the process of development or developed, except as provided below.
Replacement trees	Replacement trees are not required. Applies: Applies to removing a hazardous or diseased protected tree. § 23.12.170 · code text Replacement trees are not required for the removal of a hazardous or diseased tree. 2 replacement oak or native trees, 24-inch box, for each 10 inches of trunk diameter or part of 10 inches. Applies: Applies to removing a healthy oak (Quercus family) or California native tree. § 23.12.170 · code text Quercus family (oaks) and California native trees: Two 24-inch box replacement oak or native trees shall be required for each ten-inch increment of the diameter of the existing tree, or portion thereof. 1 similar or native replacement tree, 24-inch box, for each 10 inches of trunk diameter or part of 10 inches. Applies: Applies to removing a healthy mature tree. § 23.12.170 · code text Mature trees: One 24-inch box replacement similar or native trees shall be required for each ten-inch increment of the diameter of the existing tree, or portion thereof. At least 50% of replacement trees must be planted on site; the rest off site or by an in-lieu fee. Applies: Applies to replacement trees for removing a healthy protected tree. § 23.12.170 · code text A minimum of 50% of the replacement trees shall be planted on site. The required number of replacement trees is doubled. Applies: Applies when a tree was removed in violation of this chapter. § 23.12.170 · code text Whenever a tree removal has occurred contrary to the provision of this chapter, the required number of replacement trees shall be double the standard provision.

Swimming pools

Alhambra code What Alhambra's code adds
Setback from property lines	At least 3 feet from any property line. Applies: Pools, spas and pool equipment in an interior side or rear yard, measured from the water line. Not allowed in the front yard. § 23.12.150 · code text Swimming pools, spas and pool equipment may be located within the required interior side, or rear yard provided the swimming pool and pool equipment, including pumps, are located a minimum of three feet from any property line. At least 5 feet from any property line. Applies: Applies to pools, spas and pool equipment in the required street side yard. § 23.12.150 · code text Swimming pools, spas and pool equipment may be located within the required street side yard provided the swimming pool and pool equipment, including pumps, are located a minimum of five feet from any property line.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Alhambra?

Alhambra limits fences to 3 feet in front yards and near street side lines, 6 feet elsewhere except within 25 feet of an intersection.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Alhambra?

Alhambra limits accessory structures to 15 feet and to 40% of the required rear yard setback area.

Can I run a business from my home in Alhambra?

Alhambra home businesses may use one room, at most 25% of one floor or 100 square feet, whichever is less; 3 clients at once.

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Alhambra?

Alhambra's code: Interior side and rear yards only, at least 3 feet from property lines. Not in front or street side yards. (Only in storage areas designated on the development plan and CC&Rs.) (§ 23.12.110); In front of the home or next to its side yard, or as close as reasonably possible. (Temporary 72-hour permit for a mobile home, camper, trailer or RV; at most 2 times per calendar month; street at least 32 feet wide.) (§ 11.36.050).

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

Alhambra's code: You may apply in person or online through the electronic submittal system. (Applies to installing an electric vehicle charging station.) (§ 20.23.030); Administrative approval and all required permits once the application is complete and meets the checklist. (Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 20.19.050).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Alhambra?

Alhambra's code: Exempt: side and rear yard trees in RL and RM zones, fruit trees, non-native palms, dead wood, routine non-damaging pruning. (Also exempt: imminent public safety or welfare emergencies, traffic sight-line work, and authorized protection of public or utility property.) (§ 23.12.170); A citation for each tree removed without a permit. (Applies to tree removal during construction or work that breaks this chapter.) (§ 23.12.170).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Alhambra?

Alhambra's code: At least 3 feet from any property line. (Pools, spas and pool equipment in an interior side or rear yard, measured from the water line. Not allowed in the front yard.) (§ 23.12.150); At least 5 feet from any property line. (Applies to pools, spas and pool equipment in the required street side yard.) (§ 23.12.150).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Alhambra property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on Alhambra

Alhambra Municipal Code — full text

Renting & eviction in Alhambra

Buying & selling in Alhambra

Alhambra overview