Building on your lot in Cerritos

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

Fences and walls

Cerritos code What Cerritos's code adds
Permit	Yes. Block walls over 30 inches tall need written approval and a building permit. Applies: For a new or replacement block wall. § 22.70.450 · code text Any construction of a new or replacement block wall greater than the height of thirty inches shall require prior approval in writing as well as a building permit from the department of community development.

Running a business from home

Cerritos code What Cerritos's code adds
Space used	No more than 1 room in the main building and 1 accessory building. § 22.40.240 · code text Not more than one room in a main building and one accessory building shall be used in connection with the home occupation;
Customer visits	No traffic from customers, deliveries or others beyond what is normal for a home. § 22.40.240 · code text There shall be no traffic to or from the premises by customers, salesmen, repairmen, service vehicles, deliverymen, messengers or others beyond the amount of such traffic generally incidental to residential uses;
Employees	Only residents of the property may work there in the business. § 22.40.240 · code text No persons other than residents of the premises shall work on the premises in connection with the home occupation;

Solar panels and EV chargers

Cerritos code What Cerritos's code adds
Solar permit process	The city uses the Los Angeles County Building Code's expedited permit process; applications must be submitted in person. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 15.04.060 · code text The expedited permitting process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems, as described within the Los Angeles County Building Code, shall be and become the expedited permitting process for the city of Cerritos.

Other Cerritos rules on this

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

Keeping household pets at a home (§ 22.40.210)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Cerritos?

City rule: building a new or replacement block wall more than 30 inches high needs a permit.

Can I run a business from my home in Cerritos?

City rule: a home business is limited to one room in the main building and one accessory building; only residents may work there.

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

Cerritos's code: The city uses the Los Angeles County Building Code's expedited permit process; applications must be submitted in person. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 15.04.060).

General information, not legal advice.