What Altadena Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Altadena, California may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 68 tracked ordinances across 28 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Altadena is an unincorporated CDP in Los Angeles County governed by LA County Code Title 22 §22.140.640 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units), most recently amended April 2024. Single-family lots may add one ADU plus one JADU; multifamily lots may add up to two detached new-construction ADUs plus conversion ADUs in non-livable existing space..

Also covered: Garage Conversions (moderate), Carport Rules (moderate), Shed Rules (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Altadena for details.

Noise Ordinances

Decibel Limits: Exterior noise in Altadena's residential zones is capped at 50 dBA daytime / 45 dBA nighttime (single-family); 55/50 dBA (multi-family); 60/55 dBA commercial; 70 dBA all hours industrial..

Also covered: Quiet Hours (moderate), Leaf Blower Rules (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Altadena for details.

Parking Rules

EV Charging: Altadena is an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, so EV charger installations are permitted by LA County Public Works Building & Safety Division at the East LA District Office. New one- and two-unit single-family homes must be EV-Capable with conduit and panel space for a Level 2 charger under the 2022 California Building Standards Code (CBSC) and CalGreen §4.106.4.

Also covered: RV & Boat Parking (moderate), Abandoned Vehicles (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Altadena for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Permit Requirements: Altadena STRs must register annually with the LA County Treasurer & Tax Collector under LA County Code Chapter 7.96 (Title 7, Division 3). Registration is limited to a Host's Primary Residence — ADUs and vacation rentals are ineligible..

Also covered: Night Caps (strict), Registration Rules (strict), Occupancy Limits (strict). See the full short-term rentals guide for Altadena for details.

Fire Regulations

Brush Clearance: Altadena is largely in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. LA County Fire requires year-round brush clearance within 200 feet of any structure and 10 feet of combustible fences and roadways..

Also covered: Fireworks (strict), Fire Pit Rules (strict), Wildfire Zones (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for Altadena for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Pool barriers in Altadena must be at least 60 inches tall, with no more than 2 inches gap below, and gates self-closing and self-latching with latch at least 60 inches above ground (LA County Building Code Manual 3109.2)..

Also covered: Height Limits (moderate), Material Restrictions (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Altadena for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Door-to-door commercial solicitors in Altadena must obtain a business license under LA County Code Title 7 and respect 'No Soliciting' signs. Non-commercial canvassing (political, religious) is protected speech..

Landscaping Rules

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees: Oak trees (genus Quercus) with a trunk circumference of 25 inches or more (8-inch diameter at 4.5 ft above grade) are protected — removal, damage, or encroachment into the protected zone requires an Oak Tree Permit under LA County Code Chapter 22.174..

Also covered: Water Restrictions (moderate), Grass Height Limits (moderate), Tree Trimming (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Altadena for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: All commercial cannabis activity — including retail dispensaries, cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and distribution — is banned in unincorporated LA County (including Altadena) under Ordinance 2017-0025..

Also covered: Home Cultivation (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Altadena for details.

Home Business

Home Occupation Permits: Altadena CSD allows up to 2 home-based occupations per property with no more than 1 client visit or 1 client vehicle per hour, and a maximum of 2 non-resident employees per property (Section 22.306.070.A.7)..

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: Altadena R-1 max height: 35 ft on lots ≥20,000 sf; 30 ft on lots <20,000 sf and flag lots. Maximum 2 stories above grade.

Also covered: Setback Rules (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Altadena for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Removal Permits: Removing or significantly damaging a native oak with an 8-inch trunk diameter (25-inch circumference) at 4.5 ft above grade requires an Oak Tree Permit from LA County Planning under Section 22.174.040..

Also covered: Heritage & Protected Trees (strict). See the full tree protection guide for Altadena for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rent Control: The LA County Rent Stabilization & Tenant Protections Ordinance (RSTPO) caps annual rent increases in covered Altadena multi-unit buildings (built before Feb 1, 1995) at 3% or 60% of CPI, whichever is lower (effective 2025)..

Also covered: Just Cause Eviction (strict). See the full rental property rules guide for Altadena for details.

Environmental Rules

Grading & Drainage: Hillside grading exceeding 2,500 cubic yards cut + fill requires a Conditional Use Permit in Altadena (CSD 22.306.060.B.2.b). Grading during the Oct 15 – Apr 15 rainy season is subject to Public Works erosion-control requirements..

Also covered: Flood Zones (moderate), Erosion Control (moderate), Stormwater Management (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Altadena for details.

Property Maintenance

Trash Bin Storage: Trash, recycling, and green waste bins must be set out for collection on the designated pickup day and removed from the street within 24 hours after pickup. Service is by exclusive franchise haulers (Athens Services for most of Altadena)..

Also covered: Property Blight (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Altadena for details.

Earthquake Safety

Seismic Gas Shutoff: LA County Code Title 30 (Residential Code) and Title 28 (Plumbing) require an automatic seismic gas shutoff valve on any new or substantially remodeled residence with natural gas service. Existing homes have no retrofit mandate..

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: Political signs on private property in Altadena are protected speech under the First Amendment (Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 2015).

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: LA County Code Section 22.140.470 (Outdoor Lighting) requires all outdoor lighting to be shielded so that direct illumination does not cross the property line, with hard caps in residential zones..

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Drone airspace is federally regulated — 49 USC 44809 governs recreational use. Altadena is under JWA/Burbank/LAX/El Monte airspace controls.

Animal Ordinances

Chickens & Livestock: LA County allows backyard chickens in R-1 zones in unincorporated areas (including Altadena) subject to coop setbacks under LA County Code Title 10 and Title 22. Roosters and large flocks may require additional permits or be restricted..

Also covered: Dog Leash Laws (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Altadena for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: LA County Code Section 13.56 sets a curfew for minors under 18 from 10:00 p.m. to sunrise (school nights) and 12:00 midnight on weekends, in any public place in unincorporated areas..

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Altadena for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Every new or remodeled residential pool in Altadena requires a 60-inch barrier with self-closing/self-latching gates plus at least 2 additional safety features under the California Pool Safety Act..

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Altadena for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: LA County Code Chapter 7.86 limits garage sales in residential zones to no more than 2 per calendar year per address, with each sale lasting no more than 3 consecutive days. No permit is generally required for compliant sales..

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Mobile food facilities operating in Altadena need a LA County Department of Public Health Mobile Food Facility permit, a LA County business license under Title 7, and must operate from approved commissaries..

Filming & Production

Location Permits: Commercial filming in Altadena's unincorporated areas requires a permit from FilmLA (the official film office contracted by LA County). Permits cover insurance, neighborhood notification, parking, and police/fire monitoring..

HOA Rules

CC&R Enforcement: HOAs in Altadena are governed by California's Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Civ. Code 4000 et seq.).

Trash & Recycling

Recycling Requirements: California SB 1383 requires all residents and businesses in Altadena to separate organic waste (food scraps + yard trimmings) from trash. LA County Code Chapter 20.87 implements at the county level via Athens Services' three-bin program..

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Residential solar permits in Altadena are issued by LA County Building & Safety under SB 1222/AB 2188's streamlined permitting — typically 3 business-day approval, $400–$500 typical fee..

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Altadena, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.