Livingston · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Livingston

Livingston's city code sets fence heights by yard with extra limits on corner lots, and keeps home businesses to one room run by residents. The city also has a section on accessory uses and structures.

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Key points

Fence height: In residential districts, front yard fences are limited to 36 inches, or 48 inches if 33-1/3% open; side and rear fences, 6 feet.
Home businesses: City code limits a home business to one room and one-fourth of the main residence, at most 400 square feet; only residents may work.
Accessory structures: City code has a section on accessory uses and structures (§ 5-4-1).

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

Fences and walls

Livingston code What Livingston's code adds
Corner visibility	No fence or hedge over 36 inches within 5 feet behind the sidewalk or side street line, whichever is greater. Applies: Corner lots that are not reversed corner lots. § 5-4-2 · code text On corner lots which are not reversed corner lots, no fence or hedge exceeding 36 inches in height shall be permitted closer than five feet behind sidewalk or along side street lot line, whichever is greater. No fence or hedge over 36 inches within 20 feet of the side street lot line. Applies: Reversed corner lots. § 5-4-2 · code text On reversed corner lots, no fence or hedge exceeding 36 inches in height shall be permitted closer than 20 feet to the side street lot line. No fence or plants may materially block vision between 2½ and 10 feet above centerline grade. Applies: Sight distance area on corner or reversed corner lots in any district. § 5-4-2 · code text On a corner lot or reversed corner lot in any district, no fence shall be erected or plants permitted to grow in such a manner as to materially impede vision between the height of two and one-half feet and ten feet above the centerline grades in the sight distance area. No fence, hedge, wall or obstruction 3 feet high in the vision triangle, measured 20 feet along each street line. Applies: Corner lots. Also applies to rear street side property lines. § 5-4-2 · code text No fence, hedge, wall or obstruction three feet in height shall be erected within the “vision triangle” of a corner lot created by measuring the appropriate distance, set forth as follows: 20 feet along the front street property line and 20 feet from the side street property line starting from the point at which the front street property line intersects the side street property line.
Front yard height	No more than 36 inches. Applies: Front yards in residential districts. Residences may go to 48 inches if the fence is open. § 5-4-2 · code text Front yards. Maximum height above grade shall not exceed 36 inches except that the fence may be erected to a maximum height of 48 inches for residences, or 72 inches for nonresidential uses that are permitted or conditionally permitted in residential districts, provided that any fence which exceeds 36 inches is uniformly open to the extent of 33-1/3%. Up to 48 inches. Applies: Front yards of residences in residential districts, if the part above 36 inches is uniformly 33-1/3% open. § 5-4-2 · code text Front yards. Maximum height above grade shall not exceed 36 inches except that the fence may be erected to a maximum height of 48 inches for residences, or 72 inches for nonresidential uses that are permitted or conditionally permitted in residential districts, provided that any fence which exceeds 36 inches is uniformly open to the extent of 33-1/3%.
Side and rear yard height	No more than 6 feet above grade. Applies: Rear yards in residential districts. § 5-4-2 · code text Rear yards. Maximum height shall be six feet above grade. No more than 6 feet above grade. Applies: Side yards in residential districts. § 5-4-2 · code text Side yards. Maximum height shall be six feet above grade.
Permit	Yes, for masonry and brick fences and walls over 6 feet and all fences with electrical wiring. Applies: A building permit and/or inspection, as appropriate. § 5-4-2 · code text The following fences shall require a building permit and/or inspection as appropriate for compliance with adopted fencing specifications: Yes. An encroachment permit and a hold harmless agreement are required. Applies: Fences in the street right-of-way. § 5-4-2 · code text An encroachment permit and hold harmless agreement shall be required to permit installation of fences, subject to city code, within the street right-of-way.

Running a business from home

Livingston code What Livingston's code adds
Space used	No more than 1 room. Applies: Inside the home or an accessory building. § 5-5-2 · code text The home occupation use shall be confined to one room within the dwelling unit or accessory building. No more than 1/4 of the main home's floor area, and never over 400 square feet. § 5-5-2 · code text The floor area used for such occupation shall not exceed one-fourth of the floor area of the main residence, and shall not be more than 400 square feet in any case. More than 1 room may be used. Applies: A person with a severe impairment or disability as defined by state law, if the home occupation is otherwise approved. § 5-5-2 · code text Use of more than one room in the dwelling.
Customer visits	Instruction must be one on one. Applies: Instruction allowed as a home occupation. § 5-5-2 · code text Any instruction permitted under this section shall be restricted to a one on one basis.
Employees	No one who does not live at the home may be employed. § 5-5-2 · code text Such occupation shall be conducted entirely by resident occupants; and no person not a resident of the premises shall be employed in connection therewith. Up to 1 employee who does not live in the home. Applies: A person with a severe impairment or disability as defined by state law, if the home occupation is otherwise approved. § 5-5-2 · code text Employment of a maximum of one person who does not reside in the dwelling unit; and
Permit	A home occupation permit from the Planning Department is required. § 5-5-2 · code text The conduct of a home occupation shall be subject to securing a home occupation permit from the Planning Department in accordance with the provisions of this section.
Businesses not allowed	Beauty parlors, barbershops or any similar service enterprise; body art establishments; medical, dental and chiropractic clinics and offices; medicinal marijuana dispensaries; commercial photography studios; noncompliant music, dancing, business, sewing or other schools; real estate, astrology and palm reading offices or enterprises; repair or conditioning of major household appliances and lawn mowers, including all small engine repair; sale of firearms or ammunition; uses that do not meet subsection (A) regulations; repair, manufacture, processing or alteration of goods, materials or objects, including upholstering; harboring, training or raising of dogs, cats, birds or other animals; and vehicle painting, repair and/or body and fender work § 5-5-2 · code text The following uses are not permitted as home occupations:

Solar panels and EV chargers

Livingston code What Livingston's code adds
EV charger permit	The building official approves and issues all needed permits when the application meets the city checklist; inspection may be required. Applies: EV charging stations; the charger cannot be energized or used until the county and/or utility approves it. § 4-9-4 · 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 in person or electronically; expedited review against a standard plan and checklist. Applies: Applies to small residential rooftop solar energy systems. § 4-8-3 · code text Applicants may submit the required permit application and documents in person at the city’s Building Department or may use electronic submittal; Administrative approval once a complete application meets the checklist; only 1 inspection; grid connection needs the utility's approval. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 4-8-4 · code text Upon confirmation by the city of the application and supporting documents being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the city shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.

Tree removal

Livingston code What Livingston's code adds
Exemptions	Exempt: removing trees that are dead or severely diseased. § 5-4-8 · code text Removal of trees which are dead or severely diseased; Exempt: removing trees that are a significant safety risk. § 5-4-8 · code text Removal of trees which present a significant safety risk.
Permit to remove	Yes, a tree permit is required. Applies: Removing any mature tree at least 6 inches in diameter, measured 4 feet above grade at the base. § 5-4-8 · code text A tree permit shall be required for the removal of any mature tree measuring at least six inches in diameter, as measured four feet above grade at the base of the tree.
Protected trees	Any mature tree at least 6 inches in diameter, measured 4 feet above grade at the base of the tree. Applies: All zones in the city. § 5-4-8 · code text A tree permit shall be required for the removal of any mature tree measuring at least six inches in diameter, as measured four feet above grade at the base of the tree.
Replacement trees	Plant 5 replacement trees for each one removed; each must be at least a 24-inch box size. Applies: Removing any protected tree. § 5-4-8 · code text The city requires a five to one (5:1) replacement ratio for removal of any protected tree. Each replacement tree shall be a minimum 24 inch box size, though the city may, as part of the tree permit process or as part of any required site plan/design review, require installation of larger trees. The city may reduce the 5-to-1 replacement ratio. Applies: When trees larger than 24-inch box size are planted. § 5-4-8 · code text When trees larger than 24 inch box size are installed, the tree replacement ratio of five to one (5:1) may be reduced at the discretion of the city.

Swimming pools

Livingston code What Livingston's code adds
Pool barrier	The pool must be completely surrounded by a fence. § 5-4-1-1 · code text The swimming pool shall be completely surrounded by a fence and provided with gates and locks consistent with state building and safety codes.
Setback from property lines	At least 5 feet from any side or rear lot line. Applies: Applies to the pool. § 5-4-1-1 · code text No pool shall be located closer than five feet to any side lot line and any rear lot line. In the rear half of the lot or 50 feet from the front property line, whichever is less. Applies: Pools in any residential district. § 5-4-1-1 · code text Swimming pools in any residential district shall be constructed in the rear one-half of the lot or 50 feet from the front property line, whichever is the lesser.
Equipment and alarms	At least 5 feet from property lines. Applies: Pool filter and heating systems. § 5-4-1-1 · code text Filter and heating systems for such pools shall be a minimum of five feet from property lines.

Pets, chickens and bees

Livingston code What Livingston's code adds
Chickens	Up to 3 domestic birds or fowl, combined with guinea pigs and other rodents; no more than 5 animals total. Applies: Single-family homes. § 10-3-12 · code text No more than a combination of a maximum of three dogs and cats; two rabbits; three domestic birds or fowl, guinea pigs or any other rodent species; and, no more than two snakes or other similar animals are permitted.
Large animals	Only outside residential, commercial and industrial zones, on owned land of at least 5 acres, at most 2 per acre. Applies: Owners in annexed areas may keep the livestock they had when the area was annexed. § 10-3-16 · code text The keeping of livestock including any horse, mule, ass, goat, sheep, hog, bull, ox, cow or other livestock is prohibited within the city limits of the city, unless the provisions of subsections (B) and (C) of this section apply:
Pet limit	At most 3 dogs and cats, 2 rabbits, 3 birds, fowl or rodents, 2 snakes or similar; 5 animals total. Applies: Single-family homes. § 10-3-12 · code text No more than a combination of a maximum of three dogs and cats; two rabbits; three domestic birds or fowl, guinea pigs or any other rodent species; and, no more than two snakes or other similar animals are permitted. Up to 1 dog, 1 rabbit, 2 cats, 2 birds, 2 rodents, 2 snakes or reptiles; 4 animals total. Applies: Multifamily homes, including mobilehomes in mobilehome parks. § 10-3-12 · code text For multiple-family residences, including mobilehomes in mobilehome parks, no more than one dog, one rabbit, two cats, two domestic birds, two guinea pigs or other rodents, two snakes or other reptiles are permitted.

Other Livingston rules on this

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

Accessory uses and structures (§ 5-4-1)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Livingston?

In residential districts, front yard fences are limited to 36 inches, or 48 inches if 33-1/3% open; side and rear fences, 6 feet.

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

City code has a section on accessory uses and structures (§ 5-4-1). Livingston also has a related rule: Accessory uses and structures (§ 5-4-1).

Can I run a business from my home in Livingston?

City code limits a home business to one room and one-fourth of the main residence, at most 400 square feet; only residents may work.

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

Livingston's code: The building official approves and issues all needed permits when the application meets the city checklist; inspection may be required. (EV charging stations; the charger cannot be energized or used until the county and/or utility approves it.) (§ 4-9-4); Apply in person or electronically; expedited review against a standard plan and checklist. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar energy systems.) (§ 4-8-3).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Livingston?

Livingston's code: Exempt: removing trees that are dead or severely diseased. (§ 5-4-8); Exempt: removing trees that are a significant safety risk. (§ 5-4-8).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Livingston?

Livingston's code: The pool must be completely surrounded by a fence. (§ 5-4-1-1); At least 5 feet from any side or rear lot line. (Applies to the pool.) (§ 5-4-1-1).

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

Livingston's code: Up to 3 domestic birds or fowl, combined with guinea pigs and other rodents; no more than 5 animals total. (Single-family homes.) (§ 10-3-12); Only outside residential, commercial and industrial zones, on owned land of at least 5 acres, at most 2 per acre. (Owners in annexed areas may keep the livestock they had when the area was annexed.) (§ 10-3-16).

General information, not legal advice.

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