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Seal Beach · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Seal Beach

Seal Beach sets its own rules for home businesses and entry features, and has a separate section on residential accessory structures. A home business needs a business license, and the city lists businesses that may not run from a home.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: Without a minor use permit, a home business may use 1 room, at most 20% of the home, and host 6 clients at once.
  • Entry features: Arbors, archways and gate structures over walkways or driveways need minor use permit approval (city rule).
  • Accessory structures: The city has a separate code section on residential accessory uses and structures.

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

Fences and walls

Seal Beach code What Seal Beach's code adds
Permit
  • Yes. A minor use permit is required, and the feature must meet the size limits.
    Applies: For walkway and driveway features such as an arbor, archway or gate structure.
    § 11.4.15.025 · code text
    Such architectural features require minor use permit approval pursuant to Chapter 11.5.20: Development Permits, and shall conform to the maximum dimensions and criteria set forth in Figure 11.4.15.025.B: Architectural Features Around Walkways and Driveways.

Running a business from home

Seal Beach code What Seal Beach's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 1 room and no more than 20% of the home's gross floor area.
    Applies: For home businesses approved by the director as a permitted use.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    A home occupation shall not be allowed which requires more than one room and may not exceed 20% of the gross floor area of the residence;
  • A minor use permit is required.
    Applies: For a business using more than 1 room or 20% of the home's gross floor area.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    Use requiring more than one room or 20% of the gross floor area of the residence;
Customer visits
  • Up to 6 clients, patients or pupils at any one time.
    Applies: Except child day-care facilities. More visitors need a minor use permit.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    The home occupation may allow up to 6 clients, patients, or pupils to be present at any one time (except for child day-care facilities); provided that there are no more than 2 groups of visitors per week.
  • No more than 2 groups of visitors per week.
    Applies: Except child day-care facilities.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    The home occupation may allow up to 6 clients, patients, or pupils to be present at any one time (except for child day-care facilities); provided that there are no more than 2 groups of visitors per week.
Employees
  • Only family members or people living full-time on the property may work in the business.
    Applies: A non-resident employee on site needs a minor use permit.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    Only family members or persons living full-time on the property shall be permitted to work at a home-based business;
Permit
  • Allowed as a permitted use or with a minor use permit.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    Home occupations shall be allowed as a permitted use or through a minor use permit, as set forth in this section below and pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 11.5.20: Development Permits.
  • A business license is required.
    Applies: To start and run a home business.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    A business license is required for the establishment and operation of a home occupation.
  • A minor use permit is required.
    Applies: To have an employee on site who does not live there.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    Having an employee on-site who is not a resident;
  • A minor use permit is required.
    Applies: For more than 6 clients, patients or pupils at one time, or more than 2 groups of visitors per week.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    Having on-site visitors in excess of that allowed under paragraph B.17 of this section.
Businesses not allowed
  • Adult businesses; animal hospitals or the boarding, caring, harboring, raising, training, or treatment of animals or birds for profit; beauty shops and barber shops; catering; dance or night clubs; maintenance and storage of equipment, materials, and other accessories for the construction and service trades; massage therapy; medical and dental offices, clinics, and laboratories (not including chiropractors and counselors/psychotherapists); mini self-storage; retail sales, except for artist's originals or products individually made-to-order on the premises; vehicle repair or storage, upholstery, automobile detailing and painting, and the display and sale of vehicles; welding and machining
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    The following is a nonexclusive list of examples of nonresidential uses that are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities, and are therefore prohibited as home occupations:

Solar panels and EV chargers

Seal Beach code What Seal Beach's code adds
EV charger permit
  • Expedited nondiscretionary building permit; apply in person, by mail or electronically; issued when the application meets the checklist.
    Applies: Installing an EV charging station anywhere in the city.
    § 9.60.090.040 · code text
    Anyone seeking to install an electric vehicle charging station at any site within the city may apply to the building official for an expedited nondiscretionary building permit.
  • If the application is incomplete, a written correction notice is available within 10 working days.
    Applies: Expedited building permit applications for EV charging stations.
    § 9.60.090.040 · code text
    If an application is deemed incomplete, a written plan check correction notice will be available to the applicant within 10 working days
Solar permit process
  • Administrative approval and all required permits once the application is confirmed complete and meets the checklist and standard plans.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.
    § 9.60.050.060 · code text
    the building official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations.
  • Only 1 inspection.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.
    § 9.60.050.060 · code text
    For a small residential rooftop solar energy system eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required

Swimming pools

Seal Beach code What Seal Beach's code adds
Pool barrier
  • Fully enclosed by a protective fence that meets the California Building Code.
    Applies: Swimming pools.
    § 11.4.10.030 · code text
    All swimming pools shall be completely enclosed by a protective fence in compliance with the provisions of the California Building Code.
Equipment and alarms
  • Hot tubs must be enclosed or screened to prevent noise and other disturbance to neighbors.
    Applies: Hot tubs.
    § 11.4.10.030 · code text
    Hot tubs shall be either enclosed or screened to prevent noise and other disturbance to adjacent properties.
  • At least 10 feet from neighboring homes, or 8 feet with approved sound attenuation; must meet city HVAC noise rules.
    Applies: Pool and hot tub filtration and heating systems.
    § 11.4.10.030 · code text
    All swimming pool and hot tub filtration and heating systems shall be set back a minimum of 1 foot from any property line and a minimum of 10 feet from any adjacent dwelling unit, or 8 feet with sound attenuation approved by city staff.
  • At least 1 foot from any property line.
    Applies: Pool and hot tub filtration and heating systems.
    § 11.4.10.030 · code text
    All swimming pool and hot tub filtration and heating systems shall be set back a minimum of 1 foot from any property line and a minimum of 10 feet from any adjacent dwelling unit, or 8 feet with sound attenuation approved by city staff.
Setback from property lines
  • Permanent wading pools are not allowed in any required setback area.
    Applies: Permanent wading pools.
    § 11.4.10.030 · code text
    Permanent wading pools are not permitted in any required setback area and shall not be located or maintained in a manner contrary to the public health and safety of the people residing in the area.
  • 50 feet.
    Applies: Residential districts; from the front lot line.
    § 11.4.10.030 · code text
    Residential | 50 ft. – Front 10 ft. - Street Side | 4 ft.
  • 10 feet.
    Applies: Residential districts; from the street-side lot line.
    § 11.4.10.030 · code text
    Residential | 50 ft. – Front 10 ft. - Street Side | 4 ft.
  • 4 feet.
    Applies: Residential districts; from rear and side lot lines not along a street.
    § 11.4.10.030 · code text
    Residential | 50 ft. – Front 10 ft. - Street Side | 4 ft.
Permit
  • Building permit required; first a California-registered civil engineer must certify in writing that the pool will not harm neighboring structures.
    Applies: Pool construction.
    § 11.4.10.030 · code text
    A written statement from a civil engineer registered in the State of California that certifies that construction of the pool will not have a detrimental effect on any neighboring structures, shall be required prior to the issuance of a building permit.

Other Seal Beach rules on this

Seal Beach'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 tall can a fence be in Seal Beach?

Arbors, archways and gate structures over walkways or driveways need minor use permit approval (city rule).

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Seal Beach?

The city has a separate code section on residential accessory uses and structures. Seal Beach also has a related rule: Residential accessory uses and structures (§ 11.4.05.100).

Can I run a business from my home in Seal Beach?

Without a minor use permit, a home business may use 1 room, at most 20% of the home, and host 6 clients at once.

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

Seal Beach's code: Expedited nondiscretionary building permit; apply in person, by mail or electronically; issued when the application meets the checklist. (Installing an EV charging station anywhere in the city.) (§ 9.60.090.040); If the application is incomplete, a written correction notice is available within 10 working days. (Expedited building permit applications for EV charging stations.) (§ 9.60.090.040).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Seal Beach?

Seal Beach's code: Fully enclosed by a protective fence that meets the California Building Code. (Swimming pools.) (§ 11.4.10.030); Hot tubs must be enclosed or screened to prevent noise and other disturbance to neighbors. (Hot tubs.) (§ 11.4.10.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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