Moving to San Leandro, CA? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

San Leandro, 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 151 tracked ordinances across 30 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Open burning of yard waste, leaves, brush, or trash is effectively banned in San Leandro. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District Regulation 5 (Open Burning) prohibits residential open burning year-round in urbanized Alameda County, and California Fire Code §307 (adopted by SLMC §7-5-810) requires permits for any open fire..

Also covered: Backyard Fires (moderate), Brush Clearance (moderate), Smoke Detectors (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for San Leandro for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: California Health & Safety Code §§115920–115929 governs pool fencing in San Leandro: a 60-inch enclosure with self-closing, self-latching gates plus at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention features for any new or remodeled pool at a single-family home..

Also covered: Permit Requirements (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate), Material Restrictions (permissive). See the full fence regulations guide for San Leandro for details.

Rental Property Rules

Just Cause Eviction: San Leandro follows California AB 1482 (Civil Code 1946.2) statewide just-cause eviction rules. Landlords must cite one of 15 allowable reasons..

Also covered: Rent Control (moderate), Rental Registration (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for San Leandro for details.

HOA Rules

Board Procedures: San Leandro HOAs must follow Davis-Stirling Act (Civ Code 4000-6150) board meeting procedures, including open meetings and 4-day notice under Civ Code 4920..

Also covered: Architectural Review (moderate), CC&R Enforcement (moderate), Dispute Resolution (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for San Leandro for details.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: San Leandro limits garage and yard sales to two times per year on the property owner's premises or a residential property in the immediate vicinity. Off-site signs on public property (utility poles, street trees, medians, sidewalks) are prohibited — all signs must be placed on private property with the owner's permission, and a sign erected without a required permit violates Sign Code §4-1814..

Also covered: Holiday Displays (permissive), Political Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for San Leandro for details.

Animal Ordinances

Beekeeping: San Leandro Municipal Code Chapter 4-11 Article 14 requires an Animal Permit to keep bees, sets a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet, caps colonies at three (3) hives, prohibits front-yard hives, and imposes hard setbacks: 5 ft from any property line, 50 ft from any dwelling, and a 6-ft solid fence within 30 ft of the hive..

Also covered: Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Dog Leash Laws (strict), Breed Restrictions (permissive). See the full animal ordinances guide for San Leandro for details.

Trash & Recycling

Recycling Requirements: San Leandro Municipal Code Chapter 3-24 adopts the Alameda County Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance (ORRO), requiring all residents and businesses to sort recyclables, organics, and trash into the correct containers in compliance with California SB 1383..

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Illegal Dumping (strict), Bin Placement Rules (strict). See the full trash & recycling guide for San Leandro for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: San Leandro caps residential height at 28-30 ft / 2 stories in RS zones. Accessory structures limited to 15 ft; ADUs to 16-25 ft per state law..

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

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: San Leandro Municipal Code §4-1-1115(d) bans amplifiers, loudspeakers, phonographs, and electronic instruments in public streets, parks, and open areas between 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.

Also covered: Barking Dogs (moderate), Vehicle Noise (moderate), Construction Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for San Leandro for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: San Leandro Municipal Code Chapter 3-15 (Storm Water Management and Discharge Control Ordinance) prohibits non-stormwater discharges to the City's storm sewer system and requires C.3 BMPs for new development. The City participates in the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program under the Bay Area Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP)..

Also covered: Grading & Drainage (moderate), Flood Zones (strict), Erosion Control (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for San Leandro for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: San Leandro offers SolarAPP+ instant online permits for residential solar. AB 2188 caps review to 3 business days.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for San Leandro for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: San Leandro Property Maintenance Ordinance prohibits blight conditions such as junk, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, and neglected structures..

Also covered: Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate), Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive). See the full property maintenance guide for San Leandro for details.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: San Leandro prohibits commercial vehicles exceeding 20 feet in length, 7 feet in height/width, or 10,000 lbs GVWR from parking on any residential-district street, except for up to 2 hours for active pickups, deliveries, or construction/repair work..

Also covered: Driveway Rules (moderate), Dibs & Space Saving (moderate), Abandoned Vehicles (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for San Leandro for details.

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: San Leandro is served by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). EBMUD's permanent Section 29 Water Use Restrictions ban runoff, mid-day irrigation, and watering within 48 hours of rain in every drought stage, including Stage 0..

Also covered: Grass Height Limits (moderate), Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (moderate), Native Plants (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for San Leandro for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: San Leandro zoning code requires shielded outdoor lighting in residential zones. No formal Dark Sky ordinance but spill/glare onto neighbors prohibited..

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for San Leandro for details.

Home Business

Customer Traffic Restrictions: Home occupations in San Leandro may not generate pedestrian, automobile, or truck traffic detrimental to the neighborhood, and may not reduce or eliminate any required residential parking..

Also covered: Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Zoning Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for San Leandro for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: San Leandro does not require a permit for occasional household garage sales but limits frequency, hours, and signage to prevent commercial resale..

Also covered: Frequency Limits (permissive), Time Restrictions (moderate). See the full garage & yard sales guide for San Leandro for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Per San Leandro Municipal Code Chapter 4-34 (Mobile Food Vending), it is unlawful to operate a mobile food vending unit without a City permit, a business license, current commercial & auto liability insurance, and an Alameda County Environmental Health Department permit. Hours are limited to 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily..

Also covered: Vending Zones (strict), Sidewalk & Mobile Vending (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for San Leandro for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Primary-Residence-Only Rule: A hosted STR dwelling unit must be the permittee's primary, permanent residence. Investor-owned vacation rentals, second homes, and ADUs (in-law units) cannot be operated as STRs in San Leandro..

Also covered: Noise Rules (moderate), Night Caps (strict), Taxes & Fees (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for San Leandro for details.

Building Safety

Lead Paint: San Leandro pre-1978 renovations must follow EPA RRP rule and California HSC 17920.10. Lead-safe certified firms required for paint-disturbing work..

Also covered: Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed (moderate), Elevator Maintenance (strict), Pest Control (moderate). See the full building safety guide for San Leandro for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: San Leandro Zoning Code §2.04.388 allows one detached ADU and one JADU per single-family lot through ministerial review, implementing California Government Code §§65852.1, 65852.2 and 65852.22..

Also covered: Shed Rules (moderate), ADU Permits (permissive), ADU Owner Occupancy (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for San Leandro for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Safety Rules: New and remodeled San Leandro pools must include at least two of the seven drowning-prevention safety features from California Health & Safety Code §115922 (SB 442) and anti-entrapment dual drains per §115928, in addition to the 5-foot barrier and door alarms required by §115923..

Also covered: Fencing Requirements (strict), Above-Ground Pools (moderate), Pool Permits (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for San Leandro for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: San Leandro permits a limited number of cannabis dispensaries under a city license program, with strict zoning buffers from schools and youth uses..

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

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Per San Leandro Administrative Code Ch. A7 (Park Operating Procedures), all city parks except Chabot Park and the Shoreline are open 8:00 AM–8:00 PM (Oct 31–Apr 30) and 8:00 AM–10:00 PM (May 1–Oct 30).

Also covered: Juvenile Curfew (strict). See the full curfew laws guide for San Leandro for details.

Earthquake Safety

Soft-Story Retrofit: San Leandro Ordinance 24-495 (adopted December 2024) added Article 16 to SLMC Title 7 Chapter 7-5 (Building Code), creating a mandatory Earthquake Hazard Reduction program for existing wood-frame residential buildings with soft, weak, or open-front ground-story walls. Owners must submit a structural-adequacy analysis within 18 months of receiving City notice..

Also covered: Foundation Anchoring (moderate), Unreinforced Masonry (moderate), Seismic Gas Shutoff (moderate). See the full earthquake safety guide for San Leandro for details.

Filming & Production

Location Permits: San Leandro Administrative Code Title 32 requires a film permit for any filming activity within City limits except news gathering. Applications must be submitted at least seven (7) working days before the planned shoot date..

Also covered: Production Noise (moderate), Street Closures (moderate). See the full filming & production guide for San Leandro for details.

Tree Protection

Parkway Planting: The parkway strip between curb and sidewalk is public right-of-way; all trees there are City property. Residents may plant a parkway tree only with Public Works Director approval using species from the approved list..

Also covered: Tree Ordinances (permissive), Tree Removal Permits (moderate), Heritage & Protected Trees (permissive). See the full tree protection guide for San Leandro for details.

Street Vending

Vendor Permits: Under California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946, Gov Code 51036-51039), San Leandro must permit sidewalk vendors subject only to objective health, safety, and welfare requirements. Sidewalk food vendors must also hold an Alameda County Environmental Health permit and a San Leandro business license..

Also covered: Cart & Stand Rules (moderate), Vending Zones (moderate). See the full street vending guide for San Leandro for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Per SLMC Chapter 4-5 (Peddlers, Solicitors, and Itinerant Merchants), Article 2, it is unlawful to engage in the business of peddler, solicitor, or itinerant merchant in San Leandro without a permit. Applicants file a sworn application with the Finance Director, who issues a photo identification badge..

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (permissive). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for San Leandro for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: San Leandro has not adopted a local drone ordinance. Recreational flyers must follow FAA 49 U.S.C.

Also covered: Commercial Drones (moderate), Park Drone Restrictions (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for San Leandro for details.

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in San Leandro. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.