South Gate · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in South Gate

South Gate sets its own limits on corner fences, accessory buildings and home businesses. Its fence rule covers fences and hedges near street corners.

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Key points

Accessory buildings: South Gate limits detached accessory buildings in residential zones to 10 feet high, at least 5 feet from any property line.
Corner fences: Within 75 feet of a street corner, South Gate limits fences and hedges within 20 feet of street lines to 4 feet, unless transparent.
Home businesses: South Gate requires a permit for a home business and allows no customers or non-resident employees for a general home occupation.

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

Fences and walls

South Gate code What South Gate's code adds
Corner visibility	At most 4 feet above sidewalk level within 75 feet of any street corner; see-through fences are exempt. Applies: Fences and hedges along or within 20 feet of street lines, near a street corner. § 5.12.010 · code text All fences and hedges now constructed, planted and maintained, or hereafter constructed, or planted on lots of land along or within twenty feet of and parallel to street lines in the city of South Gate, shall not be of a greater height than four feet from sidewalk level where such fences or hedges are constructed, planted and maintained within seventy-five feet of any street corner.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures

South Gate code What South Gate's code adds
Maximum height	Accessory structures can be at most 10 feet tall. Applies: Detached accessory structures or buildings in residential zones, except accessory dwelling units. § 11.43.070 · code text All detached accessory structures or buildings within residential zones, except accessory dwelling units, shall be a minimum of five feet from any property line, unless otherwise expressed in this code, be located at least six feet from the main building and be no taller than ten feet high. Canopy structures can be at most 12 feet tall. Applies: Temporary canopies in a rear yard, on the lot no more than 3 days, up to 200 square feet and 20 feet long. § 11.43.070 · code text Canopy structures with a maximum projected canopy area of two hundred square feet, maximum height of twelve feet and a maximum length of twenty feet may be located within a rear yard area. Detached garages may be 2 feet taller than the 10-foot limit. Applies: Residential zones, when the extra height lets the garage roof pitch match the main building's roof pitch. § 11.43.070 · code text Garages are allowed an additional two feet in height to accommodate a roof pitch that is aligned with the roof pitch of the primary structure.
Size or lot coverage	Canopy area can be at most 200 square feet. Applies: Temporary canopies in a rear yard, on the lot no more than 3 days. § 11.43.070 · code text Canopy structures with a maximum projected canopy area of two hundred square feet, maximum height of twelve feet and a maximum length of twenty feet may be located within a rear yard area. At most 20 feet long, 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Applies: Temporary storage containers on a lot with a single-family home; permanent placement is not allowed. § 11.43.070 · code text Storage containers shall be no greater than twenty feet in length, ten feet in height, and ten feet in width.
Side and rear setback	At least 5 feet from any property line. Applies: Detached accessory structures or buildings in residential zones, except accessory dwelling units, unless the code says otherwise. § 11.43.070 · code text All detached accessory structures or buildings within residential zones, except accessory dwelling units, shall be a minimum of five feet from any property line, unless otherwise expressed in this code, be located at least six feet from the main building and be no taller than ten feet high.
Distance from the house	At least 6 feet from the main building. Applies: Detached accessory structures or buildings in residential zones, except accessory dwelling units. § 11.43.070 · code text All detached accessory structures or buildings within residential zones, except accessory dwelling units, shall be a minimum of five feet from any property line, unless otherwise expressed in this code, be located at least six feet from the main building and be no taller than ten feet high.

Running a business from home

South Gate code What South Gate's code adds
Customer visits	No customers, clients or visitors may come to the home for the business. Applies: Home businesses in general. § 2.10.650 · code text No customers, clients or visitors shall come to the permitted dwelling unit in connection with the authorized home occupation; Direct sales are allowed. Applies: Cottage food operations. § 2.10.650 · code text provided, however, that direct sales may occur from a cottage food operation.
Employees	No one other than a resident of the home can be employed there. Applies: Home businesses in general. § 2.10.650 · code text No one other than a resident of the permitted dwelling unit shall be employed on the premises in the course of conducting a home occupation;
Permit	A permit for a home occupation or cottage food operation is required. Applies: In residential zones where the code allows this use. § 2.10.650 · code text An application for a permit to conduct a home occupation or cottage food operation in any residential zone in which such use is authorized by this code shall contain the information required by Section 2.10.140.

RV and boat parking

South Gate code What South Gate's code adds
Size limit	No parking for motor homes, converted buses, commercial or similar vehicles over 20 feet long or 10,000 pounds. Applies: Any public street or highway; the ban takes effect on a block once notice signs are posted. § 8.12.070 · code text No person shall park or leave standing upon any public street or highway any commercial motor vehicle, motor home, converted bus or similar size vehicle having a length in excess of twenty feet, or having a gross vehicle weight in excess of ten thousand pounds. No parking for motor homes, trailers, trailer coaches and similar vehicles over 90 inches wide. Applies: Public streets in a residence district; the ban takes effect on a block once notice signs are posted. § 8.12.070 · code text No vehicle shall be parked or left standing on public streets and highways in a "residence district," which vehicle is used or maintained for the transportation of persons for hire, compensation or profit, or which is designed, used or maintained for the transportation of property or persons, including buses, converted buses, motor homes, motor trucks, trailers, semitrailers, trailer coaches or truck tractors, as defined in the Vehicle Code, and similar vehicles of a width in excess of ninety inches as measured at the widest portion of the body, not including mirrors or other extensions.
Parking on the street	Allowed while loading or unloading people or property. Applies: Oversized vehicles otherwise banned from the street; not during days and times set by council resolution. § 8.12.070 · code text Prohibited vehicles may be parked on public streets and highways while loading or unloading persons or property, or when any such vehicle is parked in connection with, or in aid of, the performance of a service to or on a property in the block in which such vehicle is parked, or to perform repairs of an emergency nature to the motor vehicle itself; provided, however, that no such vehicle shall be parked, left standing or stopped during any prohibited day and time on any public street as designated by resolution of the city council. Allowed while serving a property on the same block or making emergency repairs to the vehicle. Applies: Oversized vehicles otherwise banned from the street; not during days and times set by council resolution. § 8.12.070 · code text Prohibited vehicles may be parked on public streets and highways while loading or unloading persons or property, or when any such vehicle is parked in connection with, or in aid of, the performance of a service to or on a property in the block in which such vehicle is parked, or to perform repairs of an emergency nature to the motor vehicle itself; provided, however, that no such vehicle shall be parked, left standing or stopped during any prohibited day and time on any public street as designated by resolution of the city council.

Solar panels and EV chargers

South Gate code What South Gate's code adds
EV charger permit	The Building Official approves and issues all permits when the application is complete and meets the city checklist. Applies: EV charging stations; not energized until city approval. Electronic signatures may replace wet signatures for electronic submittals. § 9.14.050 · code text When an applicant uses electronic submittal, the electronic signature of the applicant on all forms, applications and other documentation may be used in lieu of a wet signature. An inspection is required. Applies: After the charging station is installed. § 9.14.050 · code text An inspection of the station(s) shall be required and performed by the Building Official.

Tree removal

South Gate code What South Gate's code adds
Exemptions	No permit needed to remove dead branches, limbs or trees once the tree inspector confirms they are dead. Applies: Public trees. § 5.33.030 · code text A permit is not required to remove dead branches, limbs or trees. However, prior to removal, the branch, limb or tree must be confined by the tree inspector to be dead.
Penalty	A civil penalty equal to the tree's full restitution value plus labor and materials to install the public tree. Applies: Planting, removing, relocating, damaging, over-pruning or entering the protected zone of any public tree without a permit. § 5.33.100 · code text Any person who plants, removes, relocates, damages, excessively prunes or cuts, or encroaches into the protected zone of any public tree without a permit shall be liable to the city for a civil penalty in an amount equal to the tree's full restitution value plus the cost of labor and materials to install the public tree.
Permit to remove	Yes, a permit from the director of public works. Applies: Planting, removing, pruning or working in the protected zone of public trees. § 5.33.030 · code text No person, but for a person undertaking official business for the city of South Gate, shall plant, remove, relocate, damage, excessively prune or cut or encroach into the protected zone or any public tree within the city of South Gate without first obtaining a permit from the director of public works and paying the required fee.
Protected trees	Any public tree. § 5.33.030 · code text No person, but for a person undertaking official business for the city of South Gate, shall plant, remove, relocate, damage, excessively prune or cut or encroach into the protected zone or any public tree within the city of South Gate without first obtaining a permit from the director of public works and paying the required fee.
Replacement trees	May require replacing the public tree; the public works director sets size, species and condition. Applies: Violating any provision of this chapter or any permit. § 5.33.100 · code text Violations of any provisions of this chapter or any permit, may be required to replace the public tree(s) with a tree(s) of a size, species and condition determined by the director of public works. Replace the public tree with trees, including boxed trees; the public works director sets species and size. Applies: A condition of a permit. § 5.33.040 · code text Replacing the public tree with a tree or trees, including a boxed tree or trees, of a species and size designated by the director of public works; Pay restitution for the public tree in the amount set by the director of public works. Applies: A condition of a permit. § 5.33.040 · code text Payment of restitution for the public tree in the amount determined by the director of public works;

Swimming pools

South Gate code What South Gate's code adds
Pool barrier	No opening larger than 6 inches in any dimension, except doors or gates. § 9.50.010 · code text Said wall or enclosure shall be not less than five feet in height, with no opening therein greater than six inches in any dimension, except for doors or gates, The wall or enclosure may not offer ladder-like access. § 9.50.010 · code text provided, however, that no such wall or enclosure shall be erected that affords ladderlike access.
Barrier height	At least 5 feet high. Applies: Pools or other water over 18 inches deep; the wall goes around the pool or the whole property. § 9.50.010 · code text Said wall or enclosure shall be not less than five feet in height, with no opening therein greater than six inches in any dimension, except for doors or gates,
Gates	Self-closing, self-latching gates or doors, with latches at least 4 feet up; kept closed or attended at all times. § 9.50.020 · code text All gates or doors opening through such walls or enclosures shall be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices designed to keep, and capable of keeping, such door or gate securely closed at all times when not in actual use, provided, however, that the door of any dwelling that is forming any part of the enclosure hereinabove required need not be so equipped. Latching devices shall be located not less than four feet above the ground. Gates shall be kept closed or attended at all times.
Maintenance and empty pools	A pool breeding mosquitoes may be declared a public nuisance; it must be abated within 25 days of the notice. Applies: A pool that is a breeding place for mosquitoes. § 9.50.120 · code text This condition is a violation of Section 9.50.100 of the South Gate Municipal Code and must be abated within twenty-five days from the date of the notice.

Other South Gate rules on this

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

No roosters at a home (§ 4.01.080)
Beekeeping not allowed (Ch. 10.76)

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

How tall can a fence be in South Gate?

Within 75 feet of a street corner, South Gate limits fences and hedges within 20 feet of street lines to 4 feet, unless transparent.

How big can a shed or accessory building be in South Gate?

South Gate limits detached accessory buildings in residential zones to 10 feet high, at least 5 feet from any property line.

Can I run a business from my home in South Gate?

South Gate requires a permit for a home business and allows no customers or non-resident employees for a general home occupation.

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in South Gate?

South Gate's code: No parking for motor homes, converted buses, commercial or similar vehicles over 20 feet long or 10,000 pounds. (Any public street or highway; the ban takes effect on a block once notice signs are posted.) (§ 8.12.070); No parking for motor homes, trailers, trailer coaches and similar vehicles over 90 inches wide. (Public streets in a residence district; the ban takes effect on a block once notice signs are posted.) (§ 8.12.070).

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

South Gate's code: The Building Official approves and issues all permits when the application is complete and meets the city checklist. (EV charging stations; not energized until city approval. Electronic signatures may replace wet signatures for electronic submittals.) (§ 9.14.050); An inspection is required. (After the charging station is installed.) (§ 9.14.050).

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in South Gate?

South Gate's code: No permit needed to remove dead branches, limbs or trees once the tree inspector confirms they are dead. (Public trees.) (§ 5.33.030); A civil penalty equal to the tree's full restitution value plus labor and materials to install the public tree. (Planting, removing, relocating, damaging, over-pruning or entering the protected zone of any public tree without a permit.) (§ 5.33.100).

What are the pool fence and setback rules in South Gate?

South Gate's code: No opening larger than 6 inches in any dimension, except doors or gates. (§ 9.50.010); The wall or enclosure may not offer ladder-like access. (§ 9.50.010).

General information, not legal advice.

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