Del Rey Oaks · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Del Rey Oaks

Del Rey Oaks requires a use permit for home businesses in the R-1 district and other districts that permit them.

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Key points

Use permit: City rule: a home business in an R-1 district, or another district that permits home businesses, needs a use permit.
Permit terms: These use permits are revocable, may carry conditions, and may be valid only for a specified term.

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

Running a business from home

Del Rey Oaks code What Del Rey Oaks's code adds
Permit	A use permit is required. It may be revocable, have conditions, or be valid for a set term. Applies: Home occupations in the R-1 district or other districts that allow them. § 17.48.010 · code text Use permits, revocable, conditional and/or valid for a specified term, may be issued for home occupations (as defined in Section 17.04.160), in an R-1 district or other district permitting same, pursuant to the following procedures and provisions.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Del Rey Oaks code What Del Rey Oaks's code adds
Solar permit process	Administrative, nondiscretionary review; permit issued when a complete application meets the checklist and standard plan; only 1 inspection. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems. § 15.50.060 · code text The Building Department shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, on the same day for over-the-counter applications or within one to three business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan. You may submit the application and documents by email or online. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar applications. § 15.50.050 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents by email, or the Internet shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
Review time	The permit is issued the same day. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar; complete over-the-counter applications that meet the checklist and standard plan. § 15.50.060 · code text The Building Department shall issue a building permit, the issuance of which is nondiscretionary, on the same day for over-the-counter applications The permit is issued within 1 to 3 business days. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar; complete electronic applications that meet the checklist and standard plan. § 15.50.060 · code text or within one to three business days for electronic applications upon receipt of a complete application that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan.

Pets, chickens and bees

Del Rey Oaks code What Del Rey Oaks's code adds
Bees	Yes, with a use permit; hives only in side or rear yards, behind solid screening at least 6 feet high. Applies: Personal use only; neighbors within 200 feet are notified at least 20 days before the permit is issued. § 6.12.010 · code text Beehives shall be located in side or rear yards only, and shall be situated behind solid screening or fencing that is at least six feet in height.
Chickens	Yes, with a city use permit; up to 5 chickens; no roosters. Applies: Per lot, or per group of adjoining lots with the same owner, outside Carlton Estates. § 6.16.010 · code text No person shall keep more than five chickens at any one time upon any lot or separate parcel of land or upon any number of contiguous lots or separate parcels of land under the same ownership or possession Allowed with a permit; no more than 20 chickens. Applies: Only within the Carlton Estates subdivision. § 6.16.010 · code text within the boundaries of that subdivision known as the "Carlton Estates" no person shall keep more than 20 chickens at any one time upon any lot or separate parcel of land or upon any number of contiguous lots or separate parcels of land under the same ownership or possession.
Coop setback	At least 5 feet from lot lines; in the rear yard only, and no more than 6 feet high. Applies: Applies to any enclosed structure that houses chickens. § 6.16.010 · code text Any enclosed structure used to house chickens must be placed at least five feet from the boundaries of the parcel or lot upon which the chickens are kept, whether the same be fenced or not.
Large animals	Other fowl and livestock: only in Carlton Estates, with a permit, at least 30 feet from any home. Applies: Applies to fowl other than chickens, and to livestock; they are not allowed elsewhere in the city. § 6.16.020 · code text No such fowl or livestock shall be maintained closer than 30 feet from any dwelling now existing or hereafter erected and such fowl or livestock shall be kept in a clean and sanitary manner.
Permit	A city use permit is required to keep chickens. § 6.16.010 · code text No person shall keep any chickens without having first obtained a use permit from the City. A city use permit is required to keep honey bees. § 6.12.010 · code text No person shall keep any honey bees without having first obtained a use permit from the City. A city use permit is required to keep fowl or livestock. Applies: Applies within the Carlton Estates subdivision. § 6.16.020 · code text No person shall keep any fowl or livestock within that subdivision known as "Carlton Estates" without having first obtained a use permit from the City.
Pet limit	No more than 3 dogs and cats in total. Applies: Animals over 4 months old, on premises in an R-1, R-2 or D district. § 6.04.040 · code text It is unlawful for any person to own, keep, maintain, or possess more than three dogs or three cats or three dogs and cats, over the age of four months upon any premises located within an R-1 district and R-2 district or a D district in the city.

Other Del Rey Oaks rules on this

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

Keeping boats and boat trailers in residential zones (§ 10.28.040) — residential zones only
Street parking of campers, trailers and RVs (§ 10.22.020) — on public streets

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Del Rey Oaks?

City rule: a home business in an R-1 district, or another district that permits home businesses, needs a use permit. These use permits are revocable, may carry conditions, and may be valid only for a specified term.

Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Del Rey Oaks?

Del Rey Oaks's code: Administrative, nondiscretionary review; permit issued when a complete application meets the checklist and standard plan; only 1 inspection. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems.) (§ 15.50.060); You may submit the application and documents by email or online. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar applications.) (§ 15.50.050).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Del Rey Oaks?

Del Rey Oaks's code: Yes, with a use permit; hives only in side or rear yards, behind solid screening at least 6 feet high. (Personal use only; neighbors within 200 feet are notified at least 20 days before the permit is issued.) (§ 6.12.010); Yes, with a city use permit; up to 5 chickens; no roosters. (Per lot, or per group of adjoining lots with the same owner, outside Carlton Estates.) (§ 6.16.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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Del Rey Oaks Municipal Code — full text

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