Laguna Woods · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Laguna Woods

Laguna Woods' city code sets fence and wall heights by setback and street, limits accessory structures in setbacks, and controls home businesses. A home business also needs its homeowners association's approval.

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Key points

Fence height: City code limits fences to 3½ feet in front setbacks bordering a street and 6 feet in setbacks not adjoining a street.
Accessory structures: In required setbacks, accessory structures are limited to 12 feet if more than 3 feet from a property line, 8 feet if within 3.
Home businesses: City code limits a home business to one room or 25% of the gross floor area, whichever is less; only residents may work.

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

Fences and walls

Laguna Woods code What Laguna Woods's code adds
Corner visibility	Fences, walls and hedges can be no more than 3½ feet tall. Applies: Within 5 feet of where a street right-of-way line meets an interior property line, a driveway or accessway edge, or an alley line. § 13.16.230 · code text Notwithstanding Subsection (2) above, the maximum height shall be 3½ feet within five feet of the point of intersection of: Fences, walls and hedges can be no more than 3½ feet tall. Applies: At street corners, in the triangle formed by points 15 feet from where the 2 street right-of-way lines meet. § 13.16.230 · code text Notwithstanding Subsection (2) above, the maximum height shall be 3½ feet within the triangular area formed by drawing a straight line between two points located on, and 15 feet distant from, the point of intersection of two ultimate street or highway right-of-way lines extended.
Height anywhere on the lot	No more than 6 feet tall. Applies: In required front, rear or side setback areas that do not border a public street. § 13.16.230 · code text The maximum height shall be six feet within any required front, rear, or side setback area not adjoining a public street. A fence or wall can be 6 feet tall. Applies: The part of a lot where vehicle access rights have been given to a public agency. § 13.16.230 · code text That portion of a building site where vehicular access rights have been dedicated to a public agency may have a six feet high fence/wall. Sound walls can be 6 feet tall. Applies: Required sound walls or fences along major arterial highways. § 13.16.230 · code text Fences/walls for required sound attenuation which border major arterial highways may be six feet high and as high as eight feet if: Sound walls can be as tall as 8 feet. Applies: Along major arterial highways, if the highway is at least 2 feet above the lot, or the outside face is no more than 6 feet. § 13.16.230 · code text Fences/walls for required sound attenuation which border major arterial highways may be six feet high and as high as eight feet if:
Front yard height	No more than 3½ feet tall. Applies: In the required front setback area of a residential lot bordering a street. § 13.16.230 · code text The maximum height shall be 3½ feet within any required front setback area and six feet within any rear or side setback area (through which no vehicular access is taken) adjoining a public street, up to a maximum depth of 20 feet.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 6 feet tall. Applies: Rear or side setbacks along a public street with no vehicle access through them, up to 20 feet deep. § 13.16.230 · code text The maximum height shall be 3½ feet within any required front setback area and six feet within any rear or side setback area (through which no vehicular access is taken) adjoining a public street, up to a maximum depth of 20 feet. Never more than 8 feet tall, measured from the base of the fence or wall. Applies: Side or rear setbacks not along a street, where the neighboring lot is higher than the fence base. § 13.16.230 · code text However, in no case shall such a fence or wall exceed eight feet from the base of the fence/wall to the top.
Permit	A use permit is required for exceptions or changes to the fence and wall height limits. § 13.16.230 · code text Exceptions and modifications to the fence and wall height provisions may be permitted subject to the approval of a use permit.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Laguna Woods code What Laguna Woods's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 12 feet tall. Applies: Accessory structures in required setback areas, more than 3 feet from a property line; a use permit may allow more. § 13.16.200 · code text Accessory structures that are within the required setback areas shall be limited to 12 feet in height, unless it is within three feet of a property line, in which case it shall be limited to eight feet in height. No more than 8 feet tall. Applies: Accessory structures in required setback areas, within 3 feet of a property line. § 13.16.200 · code text Accessory structures that are within the required setback areas shall be limited to 12 feet in height, unless it is within three feet of a property line, in which case it shall be limited to eight feet in height.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 25% of the required rear setback area. Applies: Enclosed accessory structures. § 13.16.200 · code text Rear \| 25 percent \| 50 percent No more than 50% of the required rear setback area. Applies: Unenclosed accessory structures. § 13.16.200 · code text Rear \| 25 percent \| 50 percent No more than 25% of the required side setback area. Applies: Enclosed accessory structures. § 13.16.200 · code text Side \| 25 percent \| 50 percent No more than 50% of the required side setback area. Applies: Unenclosed accessory structures. § 13.16.200 · code text Side \| 25 percent \| 50 percent Up to 25% of the required front setback area. Applies: Unenclosed structures, only if an approved use permit allows it. § 13.16.200 · code text Up to 25 percent building site coverage of the required front setback area shall be allowed for unenclosed structures if provided for by an approved use permit.

Running a business from home

Laguna Woods code What Laguna Woods's code adds
Space used	No more than 1 room or 25% of the home's gross floor area, whichever is less. § 13.26.120 · code text The home occupation shall be limited to one room of the dwelling unit or 25 percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit; whichever is less.
Customer visits	No more car, delivery or foot traffic than is normal for the community. Applies: Traffic to the home business. § 13.26.120 · code text Vehicular, delivery or pedestrian traffic to the home occupation shall not be greater than that normal for the community in which the home occupation is conducted.
Employees	Only real residents of the home can work in the business, paid or unpaid. § 13.26.120 · code text The home occupation shall not employ, either paid or unpaid, persons who are not bona fide residents of the dwelling unit.
Permit	All permits and inspections the County of Orange Health Care Agency requires. Applies: Home businesses that handle food. § 13.26.120 · code text Home occupations involving the handling of food must have all the proper permits and inspections required by the County of Orange Health Care Agency. All needed approvals from the homeowners association. Applies: Before starting a home business. § 13.26.120 · code text The resident shall obtain all necessary approvals from his homeowner's association prior to initiating a home occupation.
Businesses not allowed	Escort or dating service; Fortuneteller; Masseur/masseuse in which clients are seen in the provider's home; Medical, dental or similar occupations in which patients are seen in the provider's home; Automotive repair, storage or other automobile services; Automobile sales and leasing; Junkyards, scrap metal recycling; Barber or beauty services in which clients are seen in the provider's home; Carpentry or cabinet making; Bed and breakfast operations; Firearm repair, maintenance and sales; Construction storage yards; Equipment rentals yards; Similar uses that may have a negative impact to the surrounding land uses as determined by the Community Development Director § 13.26.120 · code text The following uses are prohibited as home occupations:

RV and boat parking

Laguna Woods code What Laguna Woods's code adds
Size limit	Vehicles over 25 feet long or over 10,000 pounds may not be left parked on a public street. Applies: Applies to public streets and highways in a residence district. § 8.08.070 · code text No person shall park and leave standing upon any public street or highway in a "residence district" any motor vehicle of a length in excess of 25 feet or a weight in excess of 10,000 pounds
Parking on the street	Only to load or unload, serve a property on the block, or for emergency repairs; at most 72 consecutive hours. Applies: Vehicles over 25 feet long or 10,000 pounds on residence-district streets. § 8.08.070 · code text Prohibited vehicles may be parked on public residence district streets and highways while loading or unloading persons and/or property; or when such vehicle is parked in connection with or in aid of the performance of a service to or on a property in the block in which such vehicle is parked; or to perform repairs of an emergency nature on the motor vehicle itself, for a maximum of 72 consecutive hours.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Laguna Woods code What Laguna Woods's code adds
EV charger permit	Expedited administrative review; a non-discretionary permit is issued when the requirements are met. Applies: Only when the application meets the chapter and checklist and there is no specific, adverse impact on public health or safety. § 10.34.050 · code text Where an application meets the requirements of this chapter and the application checklist, and where there are no specific, adverse impacts upon public health or safety, the Building Official shall deem the application complete and issue the permit, which shall be non-discretionary.
Solar permit process	The City approves the application and issues all required permits. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems whose application meets the chapter and the checklist. § 10.26.070 · code text Upon the Director's determination that an application is complete, the City shall approve the application and, in conjunction with any other City Departments, issue all required permits or authorizations.

Tree removal

Laguna Woods code What Laguna Woods's code adds
Exemptions	Topping a significant tree is not allowed, except before removing it because of a threat to life or property. Applies: Applies to significant trees. § 4.26.070 · code text The topping of any significant tree is prohibited except as a precursor to the ultimate removal of the tree as a result of a threat to life or property.
Permit to remove	Yes, a permit is required. Applies: Applies to removing any significant tree on public or private land covered by this chapter. § 4.26.060 · code text A permit shall be required to remove any significant tree on public or private land to which this chapter applies.
Replacement trees	Replace each inch of trunk diameter removed with an equal number of caliper inches, 1-for-1. Applies: Unless the City Forester decides otherwise for good cause. § 4.26.060 · code text for every inch of diameter (DBH) removed, an equal number of caliper inches shall be replaced The responsible party must guarantee the replacement tree's health for at least 2 years. Applies: Applies to replacement trees required by this chapter. § 4.26.060 · code text the responsible party shall guaranty the tree's health for a period of not less than two years.

Swimming pools

Laguna Woods code What Laguna Woods's code adds
Setback from property lines	At least 3 feet. Applies: Distance from a property line or future vehicle right-of-way; no pools in access or street intersection areas. § 13.16.220 · code text Swimming pools shall not be constructed within three feet of an ultimate vehicular right-of-way or property line or within those areas defined as access intersection areas or street intersection areas.

Pets, chickens and bees

Laguna Woods code What Laguna Woods's code adds
Bees	Allowed with a permit; 10 or more colonies, hives or swarms need a conditional use permit. § 5.20.050 · code text No person shall have, keep, or maintain any apiary of ten or more colonies, hives or swarms of bees without first obtaining a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission.
Large animals	Horses, cattle, pigs, sheep or goats need a permit to be kept in the City. § 5.18.010 · code text It shall be unlawful to keep any equine, bovine, swine, sheep or goat within the corporate City limits without a permit from the director of animal services.
Permit	A private kennel license is required. Applies: Applies to more than 3 cats and dogs, or more than 2 dogs, in a home. § 5.02.045 · code text A maximum combination of three cats and dogs, no more than two of which can be dogs, are permitted in any residence within the City, without a private kennel license.
Pet limit	At most 3 cats and dogs combined, and no more than 2 of them dogs. Applies: Any home without a private kennel license; registered foster animals do not count. § 5.02.045 · code text A maximum combination of three cats and dogs, no more than two of which can be dogs, are permitted in any residence within the City, without a private kennel license.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Laguna Woods?

City code limits fences to 3½ feet in front setbacks bordering a street and 6 feet in setbacks not adjoining a street.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Laguna Woods?

In required setbacks, accessory structures are limited to 12 feet if more than 3 feet from a property line, 8 feet if within 3.

Can I run a business from my home in Laguna Woods?

City code limits a home business to one room or 25% of the gross floor area, whichever is less; only residents may work.

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

Laguna Woods's code: Vehicles over 25 feet long or over 10,000 pounds may not be left parked on a public street. (Applies to public streets and highways in a residence district.) (§ 8.08.070); Only to load or unload, serve a property on the block, or for emergency repairs; at most 72 consecutive hours. (Vehicles over 25 feet long or 10,000 pounds on residence-district streets.) (§ 8.08.070).

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

Laguna Woods's code: Expedited administrative review; a non-discretionary permit is issued when the requirements are met. (Only when the application meets the chapter and checklist and there is no specific, adverse impact on public health or safety.) (§ 10.34.050); The City approves the application and issues all required permits. (Small residential rooftop solar systems whose application meets the chapter and the checklist.) (§ 10.26.070).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Laguna Woods?

Laguna Woods's code: Topping a significant tree is not allowed, except before removing it because of a threat to life or property. (Applies to significant trees.) (§ 4.26.070); Yes, a permit is required. (Applies to removing any significant tree on public or private land covered by this chapter.) (§ 4.26.060).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Laguna Woods?

Laguna Woods's code: At least 3 feet. (Distance from a property line or future vehicle right-of-way; no pools in access or street intersection areas.) (§ 13.16.220).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Laguna Woods?

Laguna Woods's code: Allowed with a permit; 10 or more colonies, hives or swarms need a conditional use permit. (§ 5.20.050); Horses, cattle, pigs, sheep or goats need a permit to be kept in the City. (§ 5.18.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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