Calabasas · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Calabasas

Calabasas sets its own limits on fences, walls and hedges, on detached garages and other accessory structures, and on home businesses. Fence height depends on the yard and the distance from the front property line.

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Key points

Fence height: City rule: front-line fences are limited to 42 inches, rising to 6 feet at 10 feet back; side and rear, 6 feet.
Garages and pools: Detached garages are limited to 500 square feet per unit unless the commission approves more; pools need 5 feet from property lines.
Home businesses: City rule: a home business needs a permit and may have at most 1 client on site at a time and 2 non-resident employees.

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

Fences and walls

Calabasas code What Calabasas's code adds
Corner visibility	No fence, wall, hedge or other obstruction over 42 inches tall in the traffic safety visibility area. Applies: On corner lots. Height is measured from the top of the existing or planned curb. § 17.20.100 · code text No fence, wall, hedge, shrubbery, mounds of earth, or other visual obstruction over forty-two (42) inches in height above the top of the existing or planned curb elevation shall be located within a traffic safety visibility area.
Height anywhere on the lot	Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: For freestanding fences, walls and hedges behind the front setback. § 17.20.100 · code text Fences, walls and hedges are limited to a height of six feet beyond the front setback. A single retaining wall can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: For each retaining wall, unless the director approves otherwise. § 17.20.100 · code text Individual retaining walls shall not exceed a height of six feet unless otherwise approved by the director. Entry features over front yard gates, such as arches or trellises, can be at most 8 feet tall. Applies: Only if approved through site plan review, and only if the entry feature is no wider than 8 feet. § 17.20.100 · code text Entry features over front yard gates (e.g., arches, trellises, pilasters, pedestals), with a maximum height of eight feet, may be authorized through site plan review provided that the entry features are no wider than eight feet. The average height of any wall or fence can be at most 6 feet 6 inches. Applies: This applies even when the director approves up to 25 percent more than the listed limits. A greater average needs a variance. § 17.20.100 · code text however, the average height of any wall or fence may not exceed six feet six inches without a variance.
Front yard height	At most 42 inches tall at the front property line. Applies: For freestanding fences, walls and hedges. Height can rise 6 inches for every 2 feet back, up to 6 feet at 10 feet. § 17.20.100 · code text Freestanding fences, walls and hedges shall be limited to a maximum height of forty-two (42) inches at the front property line At most 6 feet tall, reached 10 feet back from the front property line. Applies: For freestanding fences, walls and hedges in the front setback area, at 10 feet from the property line. § 17.20.100 · code text to a maximum of six feet at ten (10) feet from the property line. Retaining walls facing outward in the front setback can be at most 4 feet tall. Applies: For outward-facing retaining walls in the front setback. § 17.20.100 · code text Outward-facing retaining walls in the front setback may not exceed a height of four feet.
Side and rear yard height	Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 6 feet tall. Applies: In side yard or rear yard setback areas. § 17.20.100 · code text Fences, walls, and hedges within side yard or rear yard setback areas may not exceed six feet in height. These retaining walls can be at most 4 feet tall. Applies: For outward-facing retaining walls in a side or rear yard setback that face a street or public park. § 17.20.100 · code text Outward-facing retaining walls within a side yard or rear yard setback, and which face a street or public park, may not exceed four feet in height unless approved by the director to a height not exceeding six feet. These retaining walls can be at most 6 feet tall with director approval. Applies: For outward-facing retaining walls in a side or rear yard setback that face a street or public park, when the director approves. § 17.20.100 · code text unless approved by the director to a height not exceeding six feet.
Permit	Fences need administrative plan review in all zones except residential zones. Applies: Residential-zone fences in the scenic corridor need a minor scenic corridor permit instead. § 17.20.100 · code text Fences require administrative plan review in all zoning districts except Residential Zones unless located in the scenic corridor. Fences in the Residential Zone zoning district that are located in the scenic corridor shall require a minor scenic corridor permit. No land use permit is required. Applies: For wood, wrought iron or chain link fences in residential zones that meet the fence height limits. § 17.20.100 · code text Fences (wood, wrought iron, chain link) in the residential zoning districts, which comply with the height limits in subsection (B) of this section, are exempt from land use permit requirements.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Calabasas code What Calabasas's code adds
Size or lot coverage	A detached garage can be at most 500 square feet per dwelling unit, including workshop or storage space. Applies: For a detached accessory garage, unless the commission allows a larger area through site plan review. § 17.12.165 · code text A detached accessory garage shall not occupy more than five hundred (500) square feet per dwelling unit (including any workshop or storage space within a garage) unless a larger area is authorized by the commission through a site plan review. Up to 500 square feet per dwelling unit or 10% of the lot, whichever is smaller. Applies: For an accessory greenhouse. § 17.12.165 · code text An accessory greenhouse may occupy up to five hundred (500) square feet per dwelling unit or ten (10) percent of the lot, whichever is smaller.
Side and rear setback	At least 2 feet from the rear or side property line. Applies: For pools and spas in special cases, with administrative plan review approval, next to protected or dedicated open space at least 10 feet wide. § 17.12.165 · code text For pools and spas, a two-foot minimum setback from the rear or side property line is allowed under special circumstances, and subject to administrative plan review approval, where: At least 5 feet from any property line. Applies: For pools, spas and hot tubs, measured from the water line. Related equipment at least 3 feet. More where Title 15 requires. § 17.12.165 · code text a pool/spa/hot tub shall be located at least five feet from any property line and at least five feet from the main residence.
Distance from the house	At least 5 feet from the main house. Applies: For pools, spas and hot tubs. More where Title 15 requires. § 17.12.165 · code text a pool/spa/hot tub shall be located at least five feet from any property line and at least five feet from the main residence.

Running a business from home

Calabasas code What Calabasas's code adds
Customer visits	No more than 1 client or customer on the property at any time. Applies: For counseling, music lessons, tutoring or other purposes related to the home business. § 17.12.115 · code text No more than one client or patron shall be allowed on the premises at any time for counseling, music lessons, tutoring, or other purposes related to the home occupation;
Employees	No more than 2 employees or independent contractors on site. Applies: Not counting full-time residents of the home. § 17.12.115 · code text The home occupation shall involve no more than two employees or independent contractor on the site other than full-time residents of the dwelling unit.
Permit	A home occupation permit is required for any allowed home business. § 17.12.115 · code text A home occupation permit is required for any allowed home occupations.
Businesses not allowed	Adult entertainment businesses; commercial photo/film processing labs; night clubs; gun or ammunition sales; medical and dental offices, clinics, and laboratories (not including counselors/psychotherapists); mini storage; RV storage except for a personally owned vehicle registered to an occupant of the premises; storage of equipment, materials, and other accessories for the construction and service trades, as well as other business enterprises; vehicle maintenance and repair (body or mechanical), upholstery, automobile detailing and painting; welding and machining; woodworking, cabinetry manufacturing; and any other use determined by the director not to be incidental to or compatible with residential activities § 17.12.115 · code text The following may not be issued a home occupation permit as they are examples of incompatible or non-incidental business activities:

Lot splits under SB 9

Calabasas code What Calabasas's code adds
How the lot may be divided	The smaller new lot must be at least 40% of the original lot's area. Applies: Applies to urban lot splits, where both new lots must be about equal in area. § 17.82.050 · code text The smaller parcel shall not be smaller than forty (40) percent of the lot area of the original parcel.
Unit size	Each unit can be at most 800 square feet. Applies: Applies to any unit built under the urban lot split chapter. § 17.82.050 · code text The maximum unit size for any unit developed under this chapter is eight hundred (800) square feet in size.
Minimum new lot size	Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. Applies: Applies to both new lots. § 17.82.050 · code text Both newly created parcels shall be at least one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet.
Standards	At most 4 units per original lot: at most 2 new lots, at most 2 units each. No added ADUs/JADUs. § 17.82.050 · code text Each original parcel subdivided under this chapter may be developed with a total maximum of four residential units, calculated as a maximum of two newly created parcels and a maximum of two residential units per each of those two newly created parcels. No additional accessory dwelling units or junior dwelling units are permitted. A new lot cannot be narrower on average than the original lot. Applies: Unless this would prevent building 2 units on either new lot, or would make a unit smaller than 800 square feet. § 17.82.050 · code text The subdivision shall not result in a new parcel with an average width that is less than the average width of the original parcel, unless this requirement would have the effect of physically precluding the construction of two units on either of the resulting parcels or that would result in a unit size of less than eight hundred (800) square feet. All lot lines must follow existing zoning boundaries. § 17.82.050 · code text All lot lines shall be contiguous to existing zoning boundaries. Each new lot must have access to, give access to, or border an improved public street. § 17.82.050 · code text All parcels created pursuant to this chapter shall have access to, provide access to, or adjoin the improved public right-of-way. A 1-hour fire wall is required between the units. Applies: Applies when 2 units share a common wall. § 17.82.050 · code text Where two residential units are configured as sharing a common wall, a one-hour fire wall between the units is required. New or changed detached units must be at least 10 feet from any other unit or building. Applies: Applies to urban lot split units. § 17.82.050 · code text All new or modified detached residential units shall be separated from any other residential unit or building by at least ten (10) feet to prevent the spread of fire. An automatic fire sprinkler system is required. Applies: Applies to all new homes. § 17.82.050 · code text All new residential units are required to have an automatic fire sprinkler system. Fire-resistant building materials are required. Applies: Applies to all new homes. § 17.82.050 · code text All new residential units are required to use fire-resistant building materials. Urban lot splits are allowed only in the RS, RR and RC single-family zones. Applies: Only lots in single-family residential zones qualify. § 17.82.020 · code text only parcels located within single-family residential zones are eligible for urban lot splits, that is parcels located in the following zones:

RV and boat parking

Calabasas code What Calabasas's code adds
Parking on the street	With a city parking pass, you can park for up to 72 hours. Applies: An RV, trailer or camper in front of the resident's home or the visitor's host home; no more than 2 passes in 30 days. § 10.16.030 · code text The parking pass shall be valid for seventy-two (72) hours. Parking on the street is not allowed at any time. Applies: Applies to RVs, utility trailers and campers on any public street in the city, except with a parking pass. § 10.16.020 · code text No person shall park or leave standing any recreational vehicle, utility trailer, or camper upon any public street or highway at any time within city limits. Street parking is allowed only while actively loading, unloading or making emergency repairs. Applies: Applies to RVs, utility trailers and campers on a public street. § 10.16.020 · code text This section shall not apply to any person who is actually engaged in the loading or unloading of any recreational vehicle, utility trailer, or camper or is actually engaged in making emergency repairs thereto.
Living in an RV	No. A visitor cannot live in the vehicle overnight while it is parked on the street. Applies: Applies to an out-of-town visitor parked in front of a home with a parking pass. § 10.16.030 · code text Any out-of-town visitor of a residence may obtain a parking pass authorizing the visitor to park such vehicle in front of such residence, but may not reside in that vehicle overnight while it is so parked

Tree removal

Calabasas code What Calabasas's code adds
Exemptions	Exempt: an oak tree less than 2 inches in diameter. Applies: Cutting or removing an oak tree; not exempt if it is in scrub oak habitat or was planted to replace a removed tree. § 17.32.010 · code text If the oak tree is less than two inches in diameter, unless the tree is within a scrub oak habitat or was planted as mitigation for a prior removal; Exempt: damage from storms, floods, earthquakes, fires or other natural disasters or incidents, if city staff verify it. Applies: Cutting or removing an oak tree or altering scrub oak habitat. § 17.32.010 · code text If an oak tree or scrub oak habitat is damaged by thunderstorms, windstorms, floods, earthquakes, fires, or other natural disaster or incident and verified by city staff;
Permit to remove	A minor oak tree permit is required. Applies: Replacing, changing or repairing existing improvements in an oak tree's protected zone, as long as the tree is not affected. § 17.32.010 · code text Replacement, modification or repair of existing improvements within the protected zone of an oak tree, as long as the tree is not impacted by the action. Yes, a permit is required. Applies: Applies to any oak tree or scrub oak habitat on property in the city, unless an exemption applies. § 17.32.010 · code text No person shall alter any oak tree or scrub oak habitat on any real property within the city, unless a valid oak tree permit is issued pursuant to the provisions of this section and the guidelines. A minor oak tree permit is required. Applies: Oaks under 6 inches in diameter with trunk within 40 feet of the main building, unless planted as mitigation; also fuel-modification pruning and routine maintenance. § 17.32.010 · code text A minor oak tree permit shall be required to remove or alter oak trees, under the following circumstances:
Protected trees	All oak trees and scrub oak habitat on any property in the city are protected. § 17.32.010 · code text No person shall alter any oak tree or scrub oak habitat on any real property within the city, unless a valid oak tree permit is issued pursuant to the provisions of this section and the guidelines.

Other Calabasas rules on this

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

Keeping farm animals and other animals (§ 17.12.040) — residential, HM and OS zones
Fast permits for home rooftop solar and EV chargers (§ 15.04.300)
Placement standards for solar panels (§ 17.20.190)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Calabasas?

City rule: front-line fences are limited to 42 inches, rising to 6 feet at 10 feet back; side and rear, 6 feet.

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

Detached garages are limited to 500 square feet per unit unless the commission approves more; pools need 5 feet from property lines.

Can I run a business from my home in Calabasas?

City rule: a home business needs a permit and may have at most 1 client on site at a time and 2 non-resident employees.

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Calabasas?

Calabasas's code: The smaller new lot must be at least 40% of the original lot's area. (Applies to urban lot splits, where both new lots must be about equal in area.) (§ 17.82.050); Each unit can be at most 800 square feet. (Applies to any unit built under the urban lot split chapter.) (§ 17.82.050).

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

Calabasas's code: With a city parking pass, you can park for up to 72 hours. (An RV, trailer or camper in front of the resident's home or the visitor's host home; no more than 2 passes in 30 days.) (§ 10.16.030); Parking on the street is not allowed at any time. (Applies to RVs, utility trailers and campers on any public street in the city, except with a parking pass.) (§ 10.16.020).

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

Calabasas's code: Exempt: an oak tree less than 2 inches in diameter. (Cutting or removing an oak tree; not exempt if it is in scrub oak habitat or was planted to replace a removed tree.) (§ 17.32.010); Exempt: damage from storms, floods, earthquakes, fires or other natural disasters or incidents, if city staff verify it. (Cutting or removing an oak tree or altering scrub oak habitat.) (§ 17.32.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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