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Livermore · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Livermore

Livermore sets its own rules for pool barriers, rooftop solar and EV charger permits, and keeping fowl or livestock. Accessory structures and home occupations are covered in the city's Land Development Code.

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Key points

  • Pool barriers: Livermore requires pool barriers at least 60 inches above grade, except with a powered pool safety cover or a lockable spa cover.
  • Barrier gaps: The gap under a pool barrier is at most 2 inches on grass or gravel and at most 4 inches on concrete.
  • Rooftop solar: Complete rooftop solar applications needing no use permit are processed same day over the counter, or in 1 to 3 business days electronically.
  • Fowl and livestock: Keeping fowl or livestock in Livermore needs an animal fancier permit, and livestock may not be pastured or tied in public places.
  • Accessory structures: Livermore covers sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Land Development Code § 4.02.030.
  • Home businesses: Running a business from home is covered by Livermore's home occupation rules and home occupation permit in the Land Development Code.

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

Solar panels and EV chargers

Livermore code What Livermore's code adds
EV charger permit
  • The building official approves the application and issues all needed permits when it meets the City's adopted checklist.
    Applies: EV charging stations; the application must meet all laws and safety standards; no energizing or use before City approval.
    § 15.38.040 · code text
    A permit application that satisfies the information requirements in the City's adopted checklist shall be deemed complete and be promptly processed.
  • You may submit the application electronically.
    Applies: Applies to EV charging station permit applications; electronic signatures are also accepted.
    § 15.38.040 · code text
    Consistent with Government Code Section 65850.7, the building official shall allow for electronic submittal of permit applications covered by this chapter and associated supporting documentation.
Solar permit process
  • Administrative, nondiscretionary expedited review; only 1 inspection.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar with a complete application that meets the approved checklist and standard plan.
    § 15.36.060 · code text
    The City 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 and which does not require application for a zoning use permit pursuant to subsection B of this section.
Review time
  • The permit is issued the same day.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar; complete over-the-counter application meeting the checklist and standard plan, needing no zoning use permit.
    § 15.36.060 · code text
    The City 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 and which does not require application for a zoning use permit pursuant to subsection B of this section.
  • The permit is issued within 1 to 3 business days.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar; complete electronic application meeting the checklist and standard plan, needing no zoning use permit.
    § 15.36.060 · code text
    The City 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 and which does not require application for a zoning use permit pursuant to subsection B of this section.

Swimming pools

Livermore code What Livermore's code adds
Pool barrier
  • The gap under the barrier may be no more than 2 inches.
    Applies: Over ground that is not solid, such as grass or gravel; measured on the side away from the pool.
    § 15.92.050 · code text
    The vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the barrier shall not exceed 2 inches (51 mm) for grade surfaces that are not solid, such as grass or gravel, where measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the pool or spa.
  • The gap under the barrier may be no more than 4 inches.
    Applies: Over a solid surface such as concrete; measured on the side away from the pool.
    § 15.92.050 · code text
    The vertical clearance between a surface below the barrier to a solid surface, such as concrete, and the bottom of the required barrier shall not exceed 4 inches (102 mm) where measured on the side of the required barrier that faces away from the pool or spa.
  • The barrier sits on the ground, or on the pool with a gap of no more than 4 inches.
    Applies: Applies when the pool or spa structure is above ground.
    § 15.92.050 · code text
    Where the top of the pool or spa structure is above grade, the barrier shall be installed on grade or shall be mounted between the top of the pool or spa and the bottom of the barrier shall not exceed 4 inches (102 mm).
Barrier height
  • At least 60 inches above the ground.
    Applies: Measured away from the pool, along the barrier and 3 feet out; not needed with a lockable spa cover or powered pool cover.
    § 15.92.050 · code text
    The top of the barrier shall be not less than 60 inches (1524 mm) above grade where measured on the side of the barrier that faces away from the pool or spa.
  • The top of the pool wall must be at least 60 inches above the ground.
    Applies: Applies to onground home pools where only the pool wall is the barrier.
    § 15.92.050 · code text
    Where only the pool wall serves as the barrier, the bottom of the wall is on grade, the top of the wall is not less than 60 inches (1219mm) above grade for the entire perimeter of the pool, the wall complies with the requirements of section 305.2, and the pool manufacturer allows the wall to serve as the barrier.
  • The top of the barrier must be at least 60 inches above the ground.
    Applies: Applies to onground home pools with a barrier mounted on the pool wall.
    § 15.92.050 · code text
    Where a barrier is mounted on top of the pool wall, the top of the barrier is not less than 60 inches (1219 mm) above grade for the entire perimeter of the pool, and the wall and the barrier on top of the wall comply with the requirement of Section 305.2.
Equipment and alarms
  • One of: a UL 2017 door alarm, an ASTM F1346 safety cover, or another approved means like self-closing, self-latching doors.
    Applies: Applies where a wall of a home or building is part of the barrier.
    § 15.92.050 · code text
    Doors and gates shall have an alarm that produces an audible warning when the window, door or their screens are opened. The alarm shall be listed and labeled as a water hazard entrance alarm in accordance with UL 2017.

Pets, chickens and bees

Livermore code What Livermore's code adds
Large animals
  • Livestock may not run loose, or be pastured, herded, staked or tied in any public place.
    § 6.04.040 · code text
    No owner of any livestock shall: A. Permit such animal to run at large in the City; B. Cause or permit any such animal to be pastured, herded, staked or tied in any public place;
Permit
  • An animal fancier permit is required to keep fowl or livestock.
    § 6.04.020 · code text
    It is unlawful for any person to keep any fowl or livestock without first obtaining an animal fancier permit.

Other Livermore rules on this

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

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Livermore?

Livermore covers sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Land Development Code § 4.02.030. Livermore also has a related rule: Accessory structures (LDC § 4.02.030).

Can I run a business from my home in Livermore?

Running a business from home is covered by Livermore's home occupation rules and home occupation permit in the Land Development Code. Livermore also has a related rule: Home occupations (LDC § 6.02.060); Home occupation permit (LDC §§ 9.05.050, 9.05.130).

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

Complete rooftop solar applications needing no use permit are processed same day over the counter, or in 1 to 3 business days electronically.

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Livermore?

Livermore requires pool barriers at least 60 inches above grade, except with a powered pool safety cover or a lockable spa cover. The gap under a pool barrier is at most 2 inches on grass or gravel and at most 4 inches on concrete.

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Livermore?

Keeping fowl or livestock in Livermore needs an animal fancier permit, and livestock may not be pastured or tied in public places.

General information, not legal advice.

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