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La Puente · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in La Puente

La Puente's city code limits retaining walls and the fences on them, accessory structure height and size, and home businesses. A home business needs a home occupation permit and a business permit.

Key points

  • Walls and fences: In front yard setbacks, retaining walls with solid fences on top are limited to 42 inches combined; 7 feet in rear or side setbacks.
  • Accessory structures: City code limits accessory structures to 12 feet and one story, and storage sheds to 120 square feet.
  • Home businesses: City code limits a home business to one room or 20% of the home's floor area, whichever is greater; only permanent residents may work.

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

Fences and walls

La Puente code What La Puente's code adds
Front yard height
  • Retaining walls can be no more than 42 inches tall.
    Applies: Within the required front yard setback.
    § 10.28.040 · code text
    A retaining wall within the required front yard setback shall not exceed 42 inches in height
  • A fence on a retaining wall can be no more than 42 inches tall and must be open, see-through.
    Applies: Within the required front yard setback.
    § 10.28.040 · code text
    Fences on top of retaining walls may not exceed 42 inches in height, and such fence shall be open and non-view obscuring, consistent with 10.28.070 (Open and Non-View Obscuring Fences).
  • A solid wall or fence plus the retaining wall under it can be no more than 42 inches tall combined.
    Applies: Within the required front yard setback.
    § 10.28.040 · code text
    A solid wall or fence may be located on top of a retaining wall, provided that the combined height of the fence and retaining wall does not exceed 42 inches in height.
Side and rear yard height
  • Retaining walls can be no more than 7 feet tall.
    Applies: Within the required rear or side yard setback.
    § 10.28.040 · code text
    A retaining wall within the required rear or side yard setback shall not exceed seven feet
  • An open, see-through fence up to 7 feet tall can sit on top of the retaining wall.
    Applies: Within the required rear or side yard setback.
    § 10.28.040 · code text
    A seven-foot high fence that is open and non-view obscuring may be located on top of the retaining wall.
  • A solid wall or fence plus the retaining wall under it can be no more than 7 feet tall combined.
    Applies: Within the required rear or side yard setback, measured from finished grade.
    § 10.28.040 · code text
    A solid wall or fence may be located on top of a retaining wall, provided that the combined height of the fence and retaining wall does not exceed seven feet in height, as measured from the finished grade.
  • A fence on a retaining wall can be no more than 7 feet tall and must be open, see-through.
    Applies: Within the street side yard.
    § 10.28.040 · code text
    Fences on top of retaining walls may not exceed seven feet in height, and such fence shall be open and non-view obscuring, consistent with 10.28.070 (Open and Non-View Obscuring Fences).

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

La Puente code What La Puente's code adds
Maximum height
  • No more than 1 story and 12 feet tall.
    § 10.26.030 · code text
    The height of an accessory structure shall be limited to one story and 12 feet in height.
Size or lot coverage
  • No more than 144 square feet.
    Applies: Permanent canopies in residential zones; rear yard only, and no more than 10 feet tall.
    § 10.26.040 · code text
    Canopies and canopy structures shall be permitted within rear yard areas only. Such structures shall have an area of no greater than 144 square feet, a height no greater than 10 feet, and a length on any one side of no greater than 12 feet.
No permit needed up to
  • No building permit is needed for 120 square feet of floor area or less.
    Applies: Storage sheds and similar accessory structures no more than 1 story and 12 feet tall.
    § 10.26.020 · code text
    storage sheds, and other similar accessory structures and uses which do not exceed a gross floor area of 120 square feet and are not more than one story and 12 feet in height shall be exempt from this building permit requirement.

Running a business from home

La Puente code What La Puente's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 1 room or 20% of the home's floor area, whichever is greater.
    § 10.50.110 · code text
    Not more than one room or the equivalent of 20 percent of the floor area of the entire dwelling unit, whichever is greater, shall be employed for the home occupation.
Customer visits
  • No more visits or traffic than the Director finds normal for the zone or neighborhood.
    Applies: Foot or vehicle visits and traffic the home business brings.
    § 10.50.110 · code text
    The use shall not generate pedestrian or vehicular visits or traffic beyond that determined by the Director to be normal for the zone or neighborhood in which it is located.
  • Only 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
    Applies: Visits and deliveries for the home business.
    § 10.50.110 · code text
    Visitation and deliveries incidental to the home occupation shall be limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Only 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
    Applies: Visits and deliveries for the home business.
    § 10.50.110 · code text
    Visitation and deliveries incidental to the home occupation shall be limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Saturdays and Sundays.
Employees
  • Only the permanent residents of the home can work in the business there.
    § 10.50.110 · code text
    Only the permanent resident(s) of the subject dwelling shall be employed on the premises in the conduct of a home occupation.
Permit
  • A city Business Permit is required first.
    § 10.50.110 · code text
    The operator of the home occupation shall have first received a Business Permit issued in compliance with Municipal Code Chapter 5.08 (Business and Occupation Permits).
  • A home occupation permit is required.
    Applies: Before a license is issued for a business run at or from a home.
    § 5.04.160 · code text
    A home occupation permit pursuant to Section 10.50.110 must be obtained before a license will be issued for a business conducted at or from a place of residence.
Businesses not allowed
  • direct on-site sale of products, either wholesale or retail
    § 10.50.110 · code text
    There shall be no direct on-site sale of products, either wholesale or retail.

RV and boat parking

La Puente code What La Puente's code adds
Where it may be parked
  • Only on a legal front-yard driveway, an allowed paved side-yard surface, or in the rear yard.
    Applies: R-E, R-1 and R-2 zones only. Never on a public sidewalk or parkway, or over the right-of-way.
    § 10.10.040 · code text
    Recreational vehicles shall only be parked either on a legal driveway within the front yard area, on an allowed paved surface within a side yard area, or the rear yard area.
Front-yard parking
  • Only on a legal driveway in the front yard.
    Applies: Applies in the R-E, R-1 and R-2 zones.
    § 10.10.040 · code text
    Recreational vehicles shall only be parked either on a legal driveway within the front yard area, on an allowed paved surface within a side yard area, or the rear yard area.
Screening and surface
  • An allowed paved surface is required in the side yard.
    Applies: Applies to RVs parked in a side yard in the R-E, R-1 and R-2 zones.
    § 10.10.040 · code text
    Recreational vehicles shall only be parked either on a legal driveway within the front yard area, on an allowed paved surface within a side yard area, or the rear yard area.
Size limit
  • RVs over 10 feet wide, 15 feet high or 40 feet long may not park on residential property.
    § 10.10.040 · code text
    The provisions of this Section shall apply to recreational vehicles measuring no greater than 10 feet in width, 15 feet in height, and 40 feet in length.
Parking on the street
  • Trailers may not park on a street unless hitched to a vehicle that can tow them.
    Applies: Trailers and semitrailers on any street, alley or public place. Loading, unloading or a disabled trailer are exceptions.
    § 6.40.055 · code text
    This section shall not apply to trailers or semitrailers in the process of being loaded or unloaded, nor shall it apply to any trailer or semitrailer which is disabled in such a manner and to such an extent that it is impossible to avoid stopping and temporarily leaving the disabled trailer or semitrailer on that portion of the highway, street, alley, public way or public place ordinarily used for vehicular parking.
Living in an RV
  • No. Living in a stored RV and hooking up utilities, water or plumbing are not allowed.
    Applies: RV stored on residential property. Hook-ups are allowed only for temporary maintenance or 72 hours before or after a trip.
    § 10.10.040 · code text
    The use of recreational vehicle for dwelling purposes during storage on a residential property and the connection of utilities, water, or plumbing to a recreational vehicle, except for temporary maintenance purposes, are strictly prohibited.

Swimming pools

La Puente code What La Puente's code adds
Pool barrier
  • No openings larger than 50 square inches, other than doors or gates.
    Applies: Applies to the pool fence or wall. A rectangular opening no more than 4 inches wide may be larger.
    § 8.16.010 · code text
    with no openings, except doors or gates, with an area greater than fifty square inches
  • A rectangular opening may be larger if its horizontal side is no more than 4 inches.
    Applies: Applies to rectangular openings.
    § 8.16.010 · code text
    except that a rectangular opening having no horizontal dimension exceeding four inches may have a greater area
  • Wood fences: posts at least 3 by 3 inches, no more than 10 feet apart, embedded at least 18 inches.
    Applies: Boards at least 1/2 inch thick on at least 2 rails of 2 by 3 inches. Applies to wood pool fences.
    § 8.16.020 · code text
    Wood fences shall have posts not less than three inches by three inches, spaced not over ten feet on centers
  • Wire pool fences: mesh of at least eleven gauge galvanized steel wire on galvanized pipe one and one-quarter inches in diameter, no more than ten feet apart; posts set at least twelve inches into concrete-filled holes at least six inches wide and eighteen inches deep
    Applies: wire fences
    § 8.16.030 · code text
    Wire fences shall be constructed of wire mesh of not less than eleven gauge galvanized steel wire
  • Instead of a fence, a competent person may watch the pool at all times while it holds water.
    Applies: Replaces the required pool fence. When no one is watching, a pool cover or other protective device approved by the city engineer may be used.
    § 8.16.060 · code text
    In lieu of maintaining a fence, such persons may provide a competent person who shall keep the pool under observation at all times while water is kept in the pool.
Barrier height
  • At least 5 feet high.
    Applies: Fence, wall or structure around any pool or artificial body of water 2 feet deep or more. Portable pools are not included.
    § 8.16.010 · code text
    a fence, wall, or other structure not less than five feet in height with no openings, except doors or gates

Pets, chickens and bees

La Puente code What La Puente's code adds
Chickens
  • Yes. 1 poultry, rabbit or small animal per 1,000 square feet of parcel, at most 20 combined.
    Applies: Applies to a residential site.
    § 10.50.040 · code text
    No person shall keep or maintain more than one poultry, rabbit, and/or small animal for each 1,000 square feet of parcel area, not to exceed a combined total of 20 poultry, rabbits, and/or small animals located on a residential site.
  • Up to 25 poultry or small animals under 3 months old do not count toward the limit.
    Applies: Applies to a residential site.
    § 10.50.040 · code text
    Poultry or small animals under three months of age and not exceeding 25 in number shall not be counted in computing the number of poultry or small animals on the subject premises.
Coop setback
  • At least 50 feet from any home or structure used for living.
    Applies: Applies to any animal, poultry, barn, coop, corral, grazing area, pen or stable.
    § 10.50.040 · code text
    50 feet of any residence, dwelling, or structure used for human habitation;
  • At least 50 feet from any public street.
    Applies: Applies to any animal, poultry, barn, coop, corral, grazing area, pen or stable.
    § 10.50.040 · code text
    50 feet of any public street;
  • At least 30 feet from any part of a neighboring residential property.
    Applies: Any animal, poultry, barn, coop, corral, grazing area, pen or stable. Not required where the residential parcels are 1/2 acre or more.
    § 10.50.040 · code text
    30 feet of any portion of an adjoining residential zoned property, except where the residential properties are parcels containing one-half acre or more;
  • At least 300 feet from any hospital, place of assembly, public park or school.
    Applies: Applies to any animal, poultry, barn, coop, corral, grazing area, pen or stable.
    § 10.50.040 · code text
    300 feet of any hospital, place of assembly, public park or school.
Large animals
  • 1 horse or pony per 1/2 acre of parcel area, at most 3.
    Applies: None on residentially or commercially zoned property smaller than 1/2 acre.
    § 10.50.040 · code text
    No horse or pony shall be kept or maintained on any residentially or commercially zoned property having an area of less than one-half acre.
  • Not allowed: goats, sheep, swine, burros, jacks, jennies, cattle, calves, emus, llamas, ostriches and oxen, with a pygmy-pig exception.
    Applies: Applies to any premises in the City.
    § 10.50.040 · code text
    No person shall keep, maintain or cause to be kept or maintained any of the following, on any premises, within the City:
Pet limit
  • No more than 3 dogs and 3 cats, for at most 6 animals in total.
    Applies: Applies in residential zones to animals over 4 months old.
    § 10.50.040 · code text
    No person occupying a dwelling unit shall keep or maintain more than up to three dogs and up to three cats for a maximum total of six animals, over four months of age, within the residential zones of the City.

Other La Puente rules on this

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

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in La Puente?

In front yard setbacks, retaining walls with solid fences on top are limited to 42 inches combined; 7 feet in rear or side setbacks.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in La Puente?

City code limits accessory structures to 12 feet and one story, and storage sheds to 120 square feet.

Can I run a business from my home in La Puente?

City code limits a home business to one room or 20% of the home's floor area, whichever is greater; only permanent residents may work.

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

La Puente's code: Only on a legal front-yard driveway, an allowed paved side-yard surface, or in the rear yard. (R-E, R-1 and R-2 zones only. Never on a public sidewalk or parkway, or over the right-of-way.) (§ 10.10.040); Only on a legal driveway in the front yard. (Applies in the R-E, R-1 and R-2 zones.) (§ 10.10.040).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in La Puente?

La Puente's code: No openings larger than 50 square inches, other than doors or gates. (Applies to the pool fence or wall. A rectangular opening no more than 4 inches wide may be larger.) (§ 8.16.010); A rectangular opening may be larger if its horizontal side is no more than 4 inches. (Applies to rectangular openings.) (§ 8.16.010).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in La Puente?

La Puente's code: Yes. 1 poultry, rabbit or small animal per 1,000 square feet of parcel, at most 20 combined. (Applies to a residential site.) (§ 10.50.040); Up to 25 poultry or small animals under 3 months old do not count toward the limit. (Applies to a residential site.) (§ 10.50.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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