Los Alamitos · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Los Alamitos

Los Alamitos' city code sets fence heights by yard and fence type in residential zones, limits accessory structures, and lists business types not allowed at home. Taller fences in setbacks next to a street or alley need a minor site development permit.

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Key points

Fence height: In residential zones, solid front yard fences are limited to 3 feet; other fences, including 90% open wrought iron in front yards, 7 feet.
Accessory structures: Detached accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, and to 640 square feet unless a site plan is approved.
Home businesses: City code bars many home business types, such as tattoo parlors, fortune telling and vehicle repair.

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

Fences and walls

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Corner visibility	No more than 3 feet. Applies: Solid fences, walls or hedges in a corner cut-off (site safety triangle), residential zones. § 17.16.020 · code text Where a solid fence, wall, or hedge is located in the required front yard setback or corner cut-off, the fence, wall, or hedge shall not exceed three feet in height; see Section 17.16.130 (Site Safety Triangle).
Height anywhere on the lot	No more than 7 feet. Applies: Fences, walls and hedges in residential zones, measured from the inside finished grade next to them. § 17.16.020 · code text Fences, walls, and hedges shall not exceed seven feet in height above the interior finished grade immediately abutting the fence, wall, or hedge.
Front yard height	No more than 3 feet. Applies: Solid fences, walls or hedges in the required front yard setback, residential zones. § 17.16.020 · code text Where a solid fence, wall, or hedge is located in the required front yard setback or corner cut-off, the fence, wall, or hedge shall not exceed three feet in height; see Section 17.16.130 (Site Safety Triangle). Up to 7 feet. Applies: Open wrought iron fences at least 90% open, in any front yard, residential zones. § 17.16.020 · code text Open wrought iron fences (minimum 90 percent open) are allowed in any front, side, or rear yard to a maximum height of seven feet.
Side and rear yard height	Up to 7 feet. Applies: Open wrought iron fences at least 90% open, in any side or rear yard, residential zones. § 17.16.020 · code text Open wrought iron fences (minimum 90 percent open) are allowed in any front, side, or rear yard to a maximum height of seven feet.
Permit	A minor Site Development Permit is required. Applies: Fences, walls or hedges over 7 feet in a required setback that borders a street or alley, residential zones. § 17.16.020 · code text The Director, through a Site Development Permit—Minor, may allow fences, walls, or hedges that exceed seven feet in height in the required front, side, or rear setback where the setback abuts a street or alley.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Maximum height	No more than 15 feet. Applies: Detached accessory structures in residential zones. Tool sheds in a required side setback are limited to 7 feet. § 17.28.030 · code text Detached accessory structures shall not exceed a height of 15 feet, except detached tool sheds located within a required side setback shall not exceed a height of seven feet from grade. No more than 7 feet from grade. Applies: Detached tool sheds in a required side setback. § 17.28.030 · code text Detached accessory structures shall not exceed a height of 15 feet, except detached tool sheds located within a required side setback shall not exceed a height of seven feet from grade.
Size or lot coverage	No more than 640 square feet. Applies: Unless a site plan is approved. § 17.28.030 · code text An accessory structure shall not exceed 640 square feet unless a site plan is approved in compliance with Chapter 17.44 (Site Development Permit—Major and Minor).
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from any shared property line to the eave line. Applies: Accessory structures in required side or rear setbacks, residential zones. § 17.28.030 · code text Accessory structures in residential zones may be located in the required side or rear setback areas, provided that the structure(s) are a minimum of five feet from any common property line to the eave line and further provided that all run-off water from the roof is disposed of on the subject lot. At least 10 feet from the rear property line. Applies: Garages with access from an alley. § 17.28.030 · code text Where access to a garage is provided from an alley, the garage shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from the rear property line.
Distance from the house	At least 5 feet from the main structure and other structures. Applies: Detached accessory structures on a single lot. § 17.28.030 · code text Detached accessory structures on a single lot shall be separated from the main structure and other structures by at least five feet, or more, as required, except as allowed by the Uniform Building Code (UBC).

Running a business from home

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Permit	A new Home Occupation Permit and Business License are required. Applies: When the original permittee changes the type of home business. § 17.36.080 · code text A change in the type of home occupation activity (e.g., a change from one allowed activity to another allowed activity) conducted by the original resident/permittee shall also require a new Home Occupation Permit and Business License before conducting an allowed home occupation.
Businesses not allowed	Adult businesses; alcohol sales; ammunition, explosives, or fireworks sales, use, or manufacturing; commercial breeding, boarding, grooming, harboring, kenneling, raising, and/or training of dogs, cats, or other animals; on-site carpentry and cabinet making (a normal wood-working hobby is not prohibited); fortune telling; lawn mower and/or small engine repair; on-site massage establishments; medical and dental offices, clinics, and laboratories; mini storage; plant nursery; storage and/or sales of equipment, materials, and other accessories to the construction and service trades; tattoo parlors; television, radio, or appliance repair; tobacco/hookah lounges/parlors; vehicle repair, upholstery, automobile detailing, and painting (mobile or resident-conducted minor repair or detailing at the customer's location is not prohibited); vehicle sales whereby any vehicle is stored on the premises; welding and machining; and other similar uses determined by the Director not to be incidental to or compatible with residential activities § 17.36.020 · code text The following uses are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities and are prohibited as home occupations:

Solar panels and EV chargers

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Solar permit process	Only 1 inspection is required. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.06.060 · code text Only one inspection shall be required and performed by the building department for small residential rooftop solar energy systems eligible for expedited review. The inspection is scheduled within 2 business days of a request. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review. § 15.06.060 · code text The inspection shall be scheduled within two business days of a request, shall be done in a timely manner and should include consolidated inspections.
Review time	The permit is issued within 3 business days. Applies: Small residential rooftop solar; the application meets the approved checklist and standard plan. § 15.06.060 · 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

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Barrier height	At least 5 feet high. Applies: Fence fully enclosing pools, spas, Jacuzzis and hot tubs. § 17.28.265 · code text Swimming pools, spas, Jacuzzis, and hot tubs shall be completely enclosed by a fence at least five feet in height, and gates shall be self-closing and self-latching.
Gates	Gates must be self-closing and self-latching. § 17.28.265 · code text Swimming pools, spas, Jacuzzis, and hot tubs shall be completely enclosed by a fence at least five feet in height, and gates shall be self-closing and self-latching.
Setback from property lines	At least 5 feet. Applies: From any rear or side lot line. § 17.28.265 · code text Swimming pools shall not be located closer than five feet from any rear or side parcel line. At least 10 feet from the street-side lot line. Applies: Street side of a corner lot, where the rear lot line meets a side lot line. § 17.28.265 · code text On the street side of any corner parcel, where the rear parcel line abuts a side parcel line, the pool shall not be located closer than 10 feet from the side parcel line.
Equipment and alarms	Filter and heating equipment must be at least 15 feet from any neighboring home. Applies: Pools, spas, Jacuzzis and hot tubs. § 17.28.265 · code text Filter and heating systems for swimming pools, spas, Jacuzzis, and hot tubs shall not be located closer than 15 feet to any dwelling other than the dwelling on which the pool is located.

Pets, chickens and bees

Los Alamitos code What Los Alamitos's code adds
Chickens	Yes, up to 4 hens; no roosters. Applies: Residential lots. § 6.20.180 · code text A maximum of four female chickens, or hens, may be kept on a residential parcel.
Coop setback	At least 20 feet from any home on a neighboring lot; not in the front yard. Applies: Hen enclosures. § 6.20.180 · code text All hen chickens shall be kept within an enclosure that is at least 20 feet distant from any dwelling unit on an adjacent parcel.
Large animals	Prohibited: ox, steer, bull, cow, calf, horse, mare, stallion, colt, jack, mule, sheep, goat or hog. Applies: Within city limits. § 6.16.010 · code text No person shall have, keep, maintain or have in possession or under control any ox, steer, bull, cow, calf, horse, mare, stallion, colt, jack, mule, sheep, goat, or hog within the city limits.
Pet limit	Up to 3 licensed dogs and 3 cats; more needs a director's permit, renewed yearly. Applies: Per lot; dogs and cats over 4 months old. § 6.16.070 · code text no person shall keep or maintain more than three licensed dogs and three cats, over the age of four months, on any lot or parcel of land within the city unless first obtaining a permit therefor.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in Los Alamitos?

In residential zones, solid front yard fences are limited to 3 feet; other fences, including 90% open wrought iron in front yards, 7 feet.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Los Alamitos?

Detached accessory structures are limited to 15 feet, and to 640 square feet unless a site plan is approved.

Can I run a business from my home in Los Alamitos?

City code bars many home business types, such as tattoo parlors, fortune telling and vehicle repair.

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

Los Alamitos's code: Only 1 inspection is required. (Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.06.060); The inspection is scheduled within 2 business days of a request. (Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 15.06.060).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Los Alamitos?

Los Alamitos's code: At least 5 feet high. (Fence fully enclosing pools, spas, Jacuzzis and hot tubs.) (§ 17.28.265); Gates must be self-closing and self-latching. (§ 17.28.265).

Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in Los Alamitos?

Los Alamitos's code: Yes, up to 4 hens; no roosters. (Residential lots.) (§ 6.20.180); At least 20 feet from any home on a neighboring lot; not in the front yard. (Hen enclosures.) (§ 6.20.180).

General information, not legal advice.

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