Los Angeles County, CA Building Safety: Door Locking Hardware (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Title 26 Ch. 67, Security Provisions
- Minimum deadbolt throw
- 1 inch, 5/8-inch embedment
- Hook-bolt throw minimum
- 3/4 inch
- Hinge pins
- Nonremovable if exterior-accessible
- Alternate hardware
- Needs Sheriff recommendation, Pen. Code 14051
Summary
In unincorporated Los Angeles County, swinging entry doors on dwellings and single-tenant areas must carry a keyed deadbolt meeting Title 26 Chapter 67's forced-entry standards. A single door, the active leaf of a pair, or a Dutch door's bottom leaf needs a deadbolt with hardened cutting-resistant inserts plus a latch, key-operated from outside and thumb-turned from inside.
SECTION 6709 - DOORS—SWINGING DOORS ... 6709.2 Single Swinging Door, Pair of Doors and Dutch Doors. A single swinging door, the active leaf of a pair of doors, and the bottom leaf of Dutch doors shall be equipped with a deadbolt and a latch. ... The deadbolt lock or locks shall be key operated from the exterior side of the door and engaged or disengaged from the interior side of the door by a device not requiring a key, tool or excessive force. ... A straight deadbolt shall have a minimum throw of l inch (25.4 mm) and the embedment shall not be less than ⅝ inch (15.9 mm) into the holding device receiving the projected bolt.
Full Breakdown
Los Angeles County Code Chapter 67, "Security Provisions," sets minimum construction standards for resisting unlawful entry into enclosed Group B, F, M, R and S occupancies and private garages, per Section 6702's scope. Section 6705 defines the core hardware: a cylinder guard is a hardened-steel device covering the lock cylinder against wrenching, prying, cutting or pulling out; a deadbolt has no spring action and is held fast by a key cylinder, thumbturn or lever; a deadlocking latch is held in the projected position by a guard bolt, plunger or auxiliary mechanism.
Section 6708 triggers these rules whenever a door is reachable from a street, yard, passageway, garage or similar area. 2 requires the active leaf of a swinging door, or the bottom leaf of Dutch doors, to carry both a deadbolt and a latch, key-operated from the exterior and released without a key, tool or excessive force from the interior; a straight deadbolt must have at least a 1-inch throw with 5/8-inch embedment, or 3/4-inch throw for hook-shape bolts. 3 requires the inactive leaf to carry a deadbolt too, though it need not be key-operated from outside.
6 requires cylinder guards whenever the lock cylinder projects beyond the door face or is otherwise reachable by attack tools. Section 6704 allows equivalent alternate security devices only on the County Sheriff's recommendation and consistent with Penal Code Section 14051.
Violations & Fines
Enforcement runs through the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works Building and Safety Division as part of standard building permit plan check and inspection for new construction and door hardware alterations. Noncompliant hardware discovered during permitted work or inspection triggers correction orders before final sign-off; occupancy or final inspection approval can be withheld until the deadbolt, latch, cylinder guard and hinge-pin requirements of Sections 6709.2 through 6709.6 are met. Section 6703 clarifies these hardware rules never override the separate emergency-exit and egress-door requirements of Section 1030.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a deadbolt on my exterior door in unincorporated LA County?
What counts as a code-compliant deadbolt throw?
Are cylinder guards required on every lock?
Does this hardware rule apply inside the City of Los Angeles?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles County to another location·View the California building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.