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Signal Hill · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in Signal Hill

Signal Hill sets its own rules for rear and side fences and for detached accessory buildings.

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Key points

  • Fence height: Fences on rear and side property lines are limited to 6 feet (city rule).
  • Accessory buildings: A detached accessory building at least 6 feet from the main building is not treated as a main building for development standards.

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

Fences and walls

Signal Hill code What Signal Hill's code adds
Side and rear yard height
  • Fences, walls and hedges can be at most 6 feet tall.
    Applies: At rear and side property lines, in required rear or side yards, and at or behind front setback lines.
    § 20.10.120 · code text
    Fences, walls and hedges not greater than six feet in height shall be permitted at all rear and side property lines and within required rear or side yards, and at or to the rear of all front setback lines.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

Signal Hill code What Signal Hill's code adds
Distance from the house
  • A detached accessory building 6 feet or more from the main building is not treated as a main building.
    Applies: For development standards. A detached building closer than 6 feet is treated as part of the main building.
    § 20.10.075 · code text
    Where an accessory building is detached and separated from the main building by six feet or more, the accessory building need not be considered a main building for purposes of applying the property development standards of this title.

RV and boat parking

Signal Hill code What Signal Hill's code adds
Parking on the street
  • Not allowed without an oversized parking permit.
    Applies: Oversized vehicles and attached trailers on public streets; unmounted campers may not park on streets.
    § 10.30.020 · code text
    Only oversized vehicles or trailers for which an oversized parking permit has been issued in accordance with this chapter may park upon a public street or highway in the city.
  • Unattached trailers may not park on the street, except while loading or unloading or when disabled.
    Applies: Trailers and semitrailers not attached to a towing vehicle.
    § 10.28.230 · code text
    This section shall not apply to trailers or semi-trailers in the process of being loaded or unloaded, nor shall it apply to any trailer or semitrailer which is disabled in such a manner and to such an extent that it is impossible to avoid stopping and temporarily leaving the disabled trailer or semitrailer on that portion of the highway, street, alley, public right-of-way or public place ordinarily used for vehicle parking.

Solar panels and EV chargers

Signal Hill code What Signal Hill's code adds
EV charger permit
  • Same day over the counter, or within 3 business days for electronic submissions.
    Applies: Small residential EV charger systems with a complete application meeting the standard plans and checklist.
    § 15.13.060 · code text
    shall be issued a building permit or other non-discretionary permit the same day for over the counter or within three business days for electronic submissions with a complete application that meets all the standard plans and checklist requirements.
Solar permit process
  • Expedited non-discretionary permit; 1 inspection.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar systems that meet the standard plans and checklist.
    § 15.13.060 · code text
    A. An application for any small size rooftop residential solar, residential energy storage system, also referred to as ESS, and residential EV charger system that meets the requirements of the approved standard plans and checklist of the city shall be issued a building permit or other non-discretionary permit the same day for over the counter or within three business days for electronic submissions with a complete application that meets all the standard plans and checklist requirements.
  • Apply electronically by email, the city website or fax; electronic signatures accepted.
    Applies: Small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
    § 15.13.050 · code text
    Electronic submittal of the required permit application and documents via email, the city's website, or facsimile shall be made available to all small residential rooftop solar energy system permit applicants.
Review time
  • Same day.
    Applies: Complete over-the-counter applications meeting the approved standard plans and checklist.
    § 15.13.060 · code text
    shall be issued a building permit or other non-discretionary permit the same day for over the counter
  • 3 business days.
    Applies: Electronic submissions with a complete application meeting all standard plans and checklist requirements.
    § 15.13.060 · code text
    within three business days for electronic submissions with a complete application that meets all the standard plans and checklist requirements.

Swimming pools

Signal Hill code What Signal Hill's code adds
Pool barrier
  • A barrier restricting access is the primary safety device; a secondary safety device is also required inside the enclosure.
    Applies: Residential pools.
    § 15.36.020 · code text
    For residential pools, the city adopts the first and primary safety device as the barrier or enclosure around the pool restricting access. A secondary safety device shall then be required within the enclosure.

Other Signal Hill rules on this

Signal Hill'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 Signal Hill?

Fences on rear and side property lines are limited to 6 feet (city rule).

How big can a shed or accessory building be in Signal Hill?

A detached accessory building at least 6 feet from the main building is not treated as a main building for development standards.

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in Signal Hill?

Signal Hill's code: Not allowed without an oversized parking permit. (Oversized vehicles and attached trailers on public streets; unmounted campers may not park on streets.) (§ 10.30.020); Unattached trailers may not park on the street, except while loading or unloading or when disabled. (Trailers and semitrailers not attached to a towing vehicle.) (§ 10.28.230).

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

Signal Hill's code: Same day over the counter, or within 3 business days for electronic submissions. (Small residential EV charger systems with a complete application meeting the standard plans and checklist.) (§ 15.13.060); Expedited non-discretionary permit; 1 inspection. (Small residential rooftop solar systems that meet the standard plans and checklist.) (§ 15.13.060).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in Signal Hill?

Signal Hill's code: A barrier restricting access is the primary safety device; a secondary safety device is also required inside the enclosure. (Residential pools.) (§ 15.36.020).

General information, not legal advice.

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