San Gabriel · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in San Gabriel
San Gabriel sets its own limits on fences and accessory buildings. Fence height depends on the yard and on corner lots, and accessory setbacks depend on the structure's size and the lot type.
Key points
- Fence height: Residential fences are limited to 4 feet in front of the main building and 6 feet from there to the rear lot line.
- Accessory setbacks: Structures under 8 feet and 120 sq ft: 3 feet from interior side or rear lot lines; larger ones, at least 5 feet.
Each rule below is marked San Gabriel code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
San Gabriel code Residential fences are limited to 4 feet in front of the main building and 6 feet from there to the rear lot line.
All 4 San Gabriel rules on fences and walls, with the code text →
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
San Gabriel code Structures under 8 feet and 120 sq ft: 3 feet from interior side or rear lot lines; larger ones, at least 5 feet.
All 9 San Gabriel rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
San Gabriel code May extend up to 3 feet above the zone's maximum height limit. Panels at most 3 feet above the roof surface.
All 7 San Gabriel rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
| Bees |
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Park and impact fees for new homes
San Gabriel code Fees may be waived for very low and low income housing kept affordable for at least 30 years. The City Council sets the fee, no more than the new homes' fair share of open space and recreation costs.
All 3 San Gabriel rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| False alarm fees |
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|---|---|
| Alarm permit |
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Trash and recycling carts
| Sorting organics and green waste |
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Other San Gabriel rules on this
San Gabriel's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Urban dwelling units and urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 153.048)
- Permit to drain a pool into the sewer (§ 51.06)
- Pool fencing and setbacks (§ 153.129)
- Permit to cut or heavily prune certain trees (§ 95.22) — single-family zones only
- Noise from machinery and equipment (§ 130.09)
- Construction hours (§ 150.003) — owners doing their own work are exempt
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep chickens or bees at my home in San Gabriel?
San Gabriel's code: Yes; up to 2 hives, rear or side yard only, at least 5 feet from side and rear property lines. (Single-family residential property in the R-1 zone.) (§ 92.22).
Can I run a family child care home in San Gabriel?
California law sets this for every city, including San Gabriel: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in San Gabriel?
San Gabriel's code: The amount is set by the City Council by resolution (When a signal, message or alarm is proven to be a false alarm) (§ 91.05); Required (§ 91.25).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in San Gabriel?
San Gabriel's code: Householders must separate greenwaste and place it in the appropriate container for collection (§ 50.015).
General information, not legal advice.
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