La Verne · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in La Verne

La Verne's city code limits wall and fence heights by the elevation difference between lots and sets lower limits in the Hillside Development Overlay Zone. The city also has a chapter on home occupation permits.

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Key points

Fence height: Common lot line walls are limited to 6 feet where lot elevations differ by 2 feet or less, 8 feet where they differ more.
Home businesses: City code has a chapter on home occupation permits (Ch. 18.96).

Each rule below is marked La Verne 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 Verne code What La Verne's code adds
Height anywhere on the lot	Walls can be up to 6 feet tall, measured from the higher side. Applies: Along a shared lot line where the two lots differ in ground level by 2 feet or less. § 15.28.050 · code text In cases where there is a difference of elevation between adjoining lots not exceeding two feet along a common property line, the six-foot wall height shall be determined by measurement from the ground level on the higher side of the lot line. Fences, walls and hedges can be no more than 8 feet tall overall. Applies: Along a shared lot line where the two lots differ in ground level by more than 2 feet; measured from the lower side. § 15.28.050 · code text Where there is difference in elevation in excess of two feet, fences, walls, and hedges shall be permitted, but not to exceed a maximum overall height of eight feet. Walls and fences facing public roads can be no more than 5 feet tall. Applies: In the Hillside Development Overlay Zone. § 18.68.150 · code text Walls and fences facing public roadways shall be no greater than five feet in height.
Front yard height	Walls can be no more than 3 feet tall. Applies: Within the required front yard setback in the Hillside Development Overlay Zone. § 18.68.150 · code text Walls within the required front yard setback shall not exceed three feet in height.

RV and boat parking

La Verne code What La Verne's code adds
Parking on the street	Trailers may not park on a public street unless hitched to a motor vehicle, and never for storage. Applies: Applies to trailers and semi-trailers on public streets. § 10.40.260 · code text No person shall park or leave standing any trailer or semi-trailer, upon any public street within the city except as expressly permitted in this section. Up to 4 consecutive hours in any 24 hours, and no more than 2 days in any 7-day period. Applies: Personal utility trailers, unless actively loading or unloading or covered by a temporary trailer parking permit. § 10.40.260 · code text Personal utility trailers may be parked on a public street for a period not exceeding four consecutive hours within any 24-hour period, unless actively loading or unloading and shall not be parked on any public street for more than two days within any seven-day period, unless a temporary trailer parking permit has been issued allowing for a longer duration. Up to 24 consecutive hours, and no more than 72 hours in any 30-day period. Applies: RV, boat and jet ski trailers, for preparing, loading, unloading or cleaning, unless covered by a temporary trailer parking permit. § 10.40.260 · code text Recreational vehicle trailers and boat or jet ski trailers may be parked on a public street for up to 24 consecutive hours for purposes of preparation, loading, unloading, or cleaning. Such trailers shall not be parked on a public street for more than 72 hours within any 30-day period, unless a temporary trailer parking permit has been issued allowing for a longer duration. A temporary permit allows street parking for up to 7 consecutive days, renewable once in 90 days, for a fee. Applies: Requires good cause, such as construction, moving, special events or hardship. § 10.40.260 · code text Permits shall be valid for a period not exceeding seven consecutive days, may be renewed once within a 90-day period, and shall require payment of a fee established by city council resolution.

Solar panels and EV chargers

La Verne code What La Verne's code adds
EV charger permit	Expedited administrative review. Electronic submittal and signatures accepted. Permits are issued when the application meets the city's checklist. Applies: Applies to charging stations that qualify for expedited permit processing. § 15.44.010 · code text A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the city's adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed.
Solar permit process	Apply by email, the city's website or fax. Electronic signatures are accepted. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems. § 18.106.050 · code text Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents via email, the city's website, or facsimile shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
Review time	The permit is issued within 3 business days. Applies: Applies to small home rooftop solar applications that meet the approved checklist and standard plan. § 18.106.060 · code text For an application for a small residential rooftop solar energy system that meets the requirements of the approved checklist and standard plan, the building official shall issue a building permit or other non-discretionary permit within three business days.

Swimming pools

La Verne code No more than 2 inches between the ground and the bottom of the barrier. No more than 4 inches between the top of the pool and the bottom of the barrier.

All 16 La Verne rules on swimming pools, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Pets, chickens and bees

La Verne code What La Verne's code adds
Chickens	Yes, no more than 2 barnyard poultry. Applies: Barnyard poultry means chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and peacocks. § 6.16.020 · code text the number of barnyard poultry, consisting of chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and peacocks, shall not exceed two;
Pet limit	No more than 3 weaned dogs. § 6.16.020 · code text Not more than three weaned dogs; No more than 3 weaned domestic cats. § 6.16.020 · code text Not more than three weaned domestic cats; No more than 4 of each species. Applies: Mice, rats, turtles, guinea pigs, hamsters, nonpoisonous snakes under 6 feet long, monkeys and rabbits. § 6.16.020 · code text Mice, rats, turtles, guinea pigs, hamsters, nonpoisonous snakes under six feet in length, monkeys and rabbits; however, no person shall keep or maintain as household pets on any property more than four in number of each species of animals specified in this subsection.

Other La Verne rules on this

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

Home occupation permits (Ch. 18.96)
Urban lot split parcel map (SB 9) (§ 16.12.060)
Two-unit housing development (SB 9) (Ch. 18.122)
Permit to remove a significant or heritage tree (§ 18.78.030)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in La Verne?

Common lot line walls are limited to 6 feet where lot elevations differ by 2 feet or less, 8 feet where they differ more.

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

City code has a chapter on home occupation permits (Ch. 18.96). La Verne also has a related rule: Home occupation permits (Ch. 18.96).

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

La Verne's code: Trailers may not park on a public street unless hitched to a motor vehicle, and never for storage. (Applies to trailers and semi-trailers on public streets.) (§ 10.40.260); Up to 4 consecutive hours in any 24 hours, and no more than 2 days in any 7-day period. (Personal utility trailers, unless actively loading or unloading or covered by a temporary trailer parking permit.) (§ 10.40.260).

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

La Verne's code: Expedited administrative review. Electronic submittal and signatures accepted. Permits are issued when the application meets the city's checklist. (Applies to charging stations that qualify for expedited permit processing.) (§ 15.44.010); Apply by email, the city's website or fax. Electronic signatures are accepted. (Applies to small home rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 18.106.050).

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

La Verne's code: Yes, no more than 2 barnyard poultry. (Barnyard poultry means chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and peacocks.) (§ 6.16.020); No more than 3 weaned dogs. (§ 6.16.020).

General information, not legal advice.

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