Los Angeles County, CA Ordinances (2026)

Unincorporated Los Angeles County has no data-center-specific zoning. Title 22 does not define or regulate data centers, so they are reviewed as an industrial use permitted in the…

In unincorporated LA County, any vehicle used to dump bulky items, hazardous waste, or solid waste on public or private property is declared a public nuisance and subject to seizure…

In unincorporated LA County, only the county's authorized recycling agent may take recyclables you've set out for pickup: anyone else who knowingly removes them is committing a…

In the unincorporated High Desert Area, county code requires occupied properties without county-provided trash pickup to use a permitted hauler or a self-hauler permit for at least…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, new commercial, industrial and 4+ unit residential projects must enclose dumpsters and recycling bins at least 10 feet from any building, 20 feet…

Trash bins in unincorporated LA County may not be set out before 5:00 p.m. the evening before scheduled collection and must be removed by 8:00 p.m. on collection day (or within two…

Yard waste too large for standard bins must be placed in securely tied bundles no longer than 4 feet and weighing no more than 70 pounds for residential collection in unincorporated LA…

Waste collectors serving designated unincorporated communities (including Altadena, La Crescenta/Montrose, East Pasadena, Hacienda Heights, and Lennox) must provide free curbside…

Residential waste collectors in unincorporated LA County must collect trash at least once per week and are prohibited from collecting in residential areas between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00…

Unincorporated LA County residents and businesses must divert organic waste from landfills by source-separating food scraps, green waste, and other organics using an authorized hauler…

Waste collectors in unincorporated LA County must collect large items that cannot fit in standard bins, such as stoves, refrigerators, and furniture, though they may require advance…

Unincorporated LA County caps annual rent hikes on pre-1995 rental units at 3% (up to 4% for small landlords, 5% for luxury units) under the Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections…

California Civil Code §1950.5, amended by AB-12 effective July 2024, caps residential security deposits at one month's rent statewide. Los Angeles County does not add a local cap…

Landlords in unincorporated Los Angeles County can only terminate an occupied tenancy in a covered rental unit by citing a specific At-Fault or No-Fault reason under the county's Rent…

Landlords of rent-stabilized units in unincorporated LA County must give tenants at least 30 days' written notice before any annual rent increase, and register the unit with the…

California Government Code §12955 bans housing discrimination based on a tenant's lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers and other rental subsidies. LA County Title 8.42…

Los Angeles County's Building Code defines specific substandard conditions, including lack of hot water, inadequate wiring, pest infestation, and mold, that make any dwelling a public…

Mandatory rental registration is required in unincorporated LA County under the RSO. Landlords must register all rental units and pay annual fees by September 30. Fully covered units…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, skateboarding is banned on any county road, street, highway, lane, or alley with a grade over three percent, or at speeds above 10 miles per hour.

Los Angeles County bans loitering on any County-operated beach, including Venice, Zuma, and Dockweiler, between midnight and 6 a.m., regardless of whether the beach sits in…

In a narrow slice of unincorporated LA County near the Palos Verdes Peninsula, hosting a gathering where a minor drinks or ingests cannabis is a public nuisance carrying a $1,000 fine…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, Code Section 11.64.030 bans smoking or vaping cannabis in public beaches, elevators, buses, museums, libraries, public meeting rooms, and near…

Smoking is banned within 25 feet of restaurant and bar patios, within 40 feet of food trucks, on public beaches, and at all county parks in unincorporated Los Angeles County, per…

In unincorporated LA County, the traffic commissioner can post signs banning pedestrian crossing at hazardous mid-block or intersection locations, and crossing there is prohibited.

Drinking beer, wine, or any other intoxicating beverage on a public street, sidewalk, alley, highway, or public parking lot in unincorporated Los Angeles County is a misdemeanor under…

Los Angeles County bans aggressive solicitation in every County-owned or -operated park, whether the park sits in incorporated or unincorporated territory: covering blocking…

In areas served by LA County Fire, unincorporated county territory and dozens of contract cities, a Fire Department operational permit is required for LP-gas storage unless a single…

Property owners in unincorporated LA County must maintain 100 feet of defensible space around any structure located on or adjacent to brush- or forest-covered land. The fire department…

Recreational and cooking fires on private property in unincorporated LA County are allowed without a permit only if the fuel area does not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in…

The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling, and use of fireworks are prohibited in unincorporated LA County, with narrow exceptions for safe-and-sane fireworks where…

Unincorporated LA County designates Local Agency Fire Hazard Severity Zones throughout the region, including the Malibu–Santa Monica Mountains Area and the San Gabriel Mountains…

Open outdoor fires are generally prohibited in unincorporated LA County except for specific permitted exceptions. Small recreational and cooking fires on private property (maximum 3…

In unincorporated LA County, verified student film productions skip the Fire Code permit fee for filming and still-photography permits on the initial issuance.

Filming that uses the public road right-of-way in unincorporated Los Angeles County, including lane or street closures, needs a Public Works highway permit; the county charges a $468…

Unlike almost every other noise source in unincorporated Los Angeles County, motion picture production and related activities are entirely exempt from Chapter 12.08's noise chapter: no…

Commercial still-photography shoots with 15 or more on-site cast and crew, held outside an approved production facility within the County Fire Protection District, need a Fire…

Automatic fire sprinkler systems are required throughout all new Group R (residential) buildings in unincorporated LA County, including mobile and manufactured homes. Additional…

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…

Hosts operating a Short-Term Rental in unincorporated Los Angeles County must provide and maintain working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on the premises under County…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, installing, altering, or repairing electrical wiring, devices, or equipment requires a permit from the Chief Electrical Inspector before work…

Unincorporated LA County requires a permit from the Chief Plumbing Inspector before any gas piping, drainage, sewer, or plumbing work under the adopted 2025 California Plumbing Code…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, building, altering, or demolishing a structure without a permit from the Building Official is prohibited, and permitted work must pass staged…

In unincorporated LA County, child care centers must supply 1 parking space per staff member, 1 per business vehicle, and 1 per 20 licensed children, plus a dedicated on-site drop-off…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, permit applicants for construction or demolition projects must recycle or reuse at least 70% of C&D debris by weight and 100% of land-clearing…

In unincorporated LA County, Title 26 requires written Building Official approval at each construction stage before work continues, foundation, framing, energy efficiency, plus a…

In Chapman Woods, unincorporated LA County caps new houses at 40% of lot area (max 3,500 sq ft) on lots under 13,000 sq ft, dropping to 20% (max 8,000 sq ft) on lots over 40,000 sq ft…

Feeding coyotes, raccoons, foxes, opossums, or ground squirrels is a misdemeanor in unincorporated Los Angeles County, with only narrow exceptions for trapped or injured animals.

In unincorporated LA County (and contract cities), keeping animals in unsanitary conditions or in a way that becomes a hazard or nuisance violates County Code § 10.40.010: a…

In the Santa Monica Mountains North Area of unincorporated LA County, any vegetation removal or construction near nesting habitat requires a biologist nest survey within 30 days of…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, every cat over four months old must be individually licensed within 30 days of acquisition or moving in, and keeping an unlicensed cat is…

In unincorporated LA County, licensed pet-grooming facilities must follow detailed equipment, sanitation, and staffing standards set by County Code, not just general business rules.

In unincorporated LA County (and contract cities where Title 10 applies), dogs and cats four months or older must be spayed or neutered unless the owner holds an unaltered-animal…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, a small-animal veterinary clinic needs a Conditional Use Permit in the C-1, C-2, and C-R commercial zones, while a full animal hospital with…

All dogs and cats four months of age or older in unincorporated LA County must be implanted with a microchip, and owners must register the chip number with the Department.

Chickens, fowl, and other non-household animals must be kept at least 35 feet from any residence in unincorporated Los Angeles County and at least 100 feet from schools and hospitals…

Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet on all public property and common areas of private property in unincorporated LA County.

LA County Animal Control (Title 10) uses behavior-based dangerous dog determinations rather than breed-specific bans. California prohibits breed-specific legislation except for…

LA County Code Title 10, Section 10.28.060 requires a license to keep wild animals in unincorporated areas. Many exotic species are prohibited entirely. California Fish and Game Code…

Anyone maintaining a beehive (apiary) on premises other than their own residence in unincorporated Los Angeles County must post a sign identifying the owner's name, address, and phone…

Feeding wildlife in unincorporated LA County is discouraged and may violate nuisance provisions. CDFW regulations prohibit feeding certain species. The county's large unincorporated…

Secondhand stores in unincorporated LA County (Zones C-2 and MXD) must conduct all operations, including donation drop-off, sorting, and storage, inside an enclosed building, and must…

Body art establishments (tattoo, piercing, and related services) in unincorporated LA County must hold a county business license, a public health facility permit, and a conditional use…

In unincorporated Willowbrook, the County's Imperial Commercial Zone bans tobacco and vape shops outright: new e-cigarette or smoke-shop retailers can't open in that corridor between…

In unincorporated LA County, operating a tow truck on a public highway for a fee requires a county license under Code § 7.28.030, unless the operator already holds a city-issued tow…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, running an auto repair business from a house is flatly illegal. County Code Table 22.140.290-A names automotive repair, painting, body/fender…

Any massage establishment operating in unincorporated LA County must obtain a public health permit from the County Health Officer and pay an annual fee of $409 before providing…

Adult businesses in unincorporated LA County must maintain a license under Chapter 7.92; the Business License Commission must revoke a license for felony convictions, employee…

Pawnbrokers in unincorporated LA County must obtain a county license and may only conduct business between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.; pledges and purchases are prohibited outside those…

Grading, excavation, and fill are prohibited in designated floodways in unincorporated LA County unless a California-licensed civil engineer certifies in a hydraulic analysis that the…

In the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone, new residential construction in FEMA A, AE, or AH flood zones must have its lowest floor built at least one foot above the…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, marinas, docks, piers, and boat launches need a Conditional Use Permit in the Open Space (O-S) zone and are barred outright in the A-1, A-2, R-R…

All cut and fill slopes in unincorporated LA County must be planted and irrigated to prevent erosion, with taller slopes requiring both ground cover and shrubs or trees at specific…

All grading in unincorporated LA County must comply with NPDES requirements: best management practices must be installed before grading begins and maintained until permanent drainage…

Los Angeles County's defensible space rules require specific vegetation management within 100 feet of structures on or adjacent to brushland. Dead vegetation must be removed…

Several unincorporated LA County areas fall within the California Coastal Zone, including communities near Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains. Coastal development permits from the…

Los Angeles County prohibits tobacco retailers from selling any flavored tobacco product, including menthol, mint, fruit, chocolate, vanilla, and candy flavors, as well as electronic…

Federal Tobacco 21 (Public Law 116-94) and California Business and Professions Code section 22963 bar LA County retailers from selling cigarettes, cigars, vapes, or any tobacco product…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, County Code § 11.38.640 makes leak repair a legal duty, not a suggestion: anyone who owns or rents premises with accessible indoor plumbing or…

In the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone, Los Angeles County's Local Coastal Program requires recycled water for golf courses, landscape irrigation, and maintenance of…

In unincorporated LA County, rental properties with two or more units must have landlords treat every adjacent unit for bed bugs once an infestation is confirmed, under the county's…

Under California Health and Safety Code §113948, every food handler in LA County must obtain an ANSI-accredited food handler card within 30 days of hire. Cards are valid for three…

LA County Health Officer assigns letter grades A, B, or C to food facilities based on a 100-point inspection score, and may immediately close any facility that scores below 70 percent…

Infestation of insects, vermin, or rodents in a building is a substandard condition under Los Angeles County Code, making any affected dwelling or structure a public nuisance subject…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, housing developments that set aside units as affordable, senior, or donated-land housing qualify for a density bonus above the base zoning maximum…

In unincorporated LA County, an ADU or JADU can only be rented for stays longer than 30 consecutive days, and it can't be sold apart from the main house.

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, standard accessory dwelling units carry no owner-occupancy requirement since the County released its covenant interest, but a junior ADU still…

Detached ADUs in unincorporated LA County are capped at 1,200 sq ft and 25 feet tall, require a 4-foot rear and side setback, and are prohibited in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, a one-story detached storage shed up to 120 square feet and 12 feet tall does not require a building permit.

When a garage or carport is converted into an ADU in unincorporated LA County, no replacement parking is required for either the ADU or the primary residence.

Los Angeles County sorts businesses in the unincorporated area into more than 80 named license classes under Title 7: each with its own flat first-year and annual-renewal fee set by…

Unincorporated Los Angeles County requires a $604 annual Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate under County Code § 8.42.050 before anyone may push a food cart onto a public…

Food trucks in unincorporated LA County need a county business license, LA County Dept of Public Health mobile food facility permit, and CA seller's permit. Catering trucks cannot…

Food truck vending in unincorporated LA County is subject to Title 22 zoning and health department regulations. California SB 946 protects sidewalk vendor rights. Trucks cannot block…

Section 8.53.105.B commits the County Housing Program Chief to a routine habitability inspection of every covered rental property in unincorporated Los Angeles County once every four…

Tenants in unincorporated Los Angeles County rental properties with two or more units can file a habitability complaint with the County Housing Program Chief, who must schedule the…

Unincorporated Los Angeles County bans camping on any accepted county road or highway under Los Angeles County Code § 16.86.020, with fines escalating from $100 to $500 for repeat…

In unincorporated LA County, a home-based occupation gets just one client visit or one client vehicle per hour, allowed only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

No signage of any kind advertising a home-based occupation is permitted in unincorporated LA County, not on the lawn, in windows, on the mailbox, or anywhere on the property.

The Agua Dulce CSD permits home-based occupations in residential and agricultural zones with CSD-specific restrictions: 8 am–6 pm hours only, no more than two non-resident employees…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, small (up to 8 children) and large (9-14 children) family child care homes are permitted by right in every residential zone -- R-A through R-5…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, temporary window signs on business storefronts can't cover more than 25 percent of any single window or connected window run along the same…

In unincorporated LA County, outdoor advertising signs can't have a message face within 660 feet of a freeway or scenic highway's right-of-way if aimed at passing drivers, per County…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, Code § 22.114.040 bans digital billboards outright in every zone: no sign may use flashing, sequential, or programmable-message illumination that…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, holiday decorations are exempt from the sign ordinance's ban on attention-getting devices like banners and balloons, but only if displayed in…

Unincorporated LA County caps yard sale signage at two temporary signs per sale, four square feet each, posted only at the residence -- never in the public right-of-way -- and taken…

Political signs in unincorporated LA County are protected by CA state law and the First Amendment. May be placed 90 days before election, removed within 10 days after. Maximum 32 sq…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, anyone organizing a parade, running race, or bicycle event on a public highway must get a Sheriff's permit filed at least 15 days ahead, per…

Unincorporated LA County requires a Special Events Permit for street fairs, carnivals, and festivals; a Short-Term Special Events Permit caps sponsor-run fairs at six weekends or seven…

Groups of 25+ at local/community parks (50+ at regional parks), weddings, amplified sound, tents over 10x10, or alcohol require a Parks and Recreation permit before use of any Los…

Restaurants in unincorporated Los Angeles County must get an annual outdoor dining permit from the Public Works Commissioner before placing tables on a sidewalk, on-street parking…

Unincorporated LA County zones farmland A-1 Light Agricultural or A-2 Heavy Agricultural under Title 22 Chapter 22.16, permitting crops, livestock, and low-density homes through…

California Civil Code §3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance suits after three years of consistent activity. LA County applies the state rule, particularly…

On county highways in unincorporated Los Angeles County, drivers must not drive in a marked bicycle lane except to cross at a driveway or to park where parking is legal or the vehicle…

Los Angeles County requires new residential construction, additions, and repairs in unincorporated areas within the 65 dB CNEL noise zone around LAX to meet Title 26 sound-insulation…

California AB-1346 bans the sale of new gas-powered leaf blowers and other small off-road engines under 25 horsepower starting 2024, applying countywide. LA County does not have a…

Sound vehicles (trucks or other vehicles equipped with loudspeakers or sound-amplifying devices for advertising) in unincorporated LA County cannot operate on public highways between…

After a written warning from the Department, owners are prohibited from allowing their animal to emit excessive noise that unreasonably disturbs neighbors in unincorporated LA County.

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, construction, drilling, demolition and repair work is banned on weeknights from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and all day on Sundays and holidays whenever it…

The Santa Monica Mountains North Area Community Standards District caps daytime exterior noise at 43 dBA L90 (8 am–8 pm) and nighttime at 38 dBA L90 (8 pm–8 am), measured at the…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, any outdoor music, dance, or rock festival expected to draw more than 500 people must get a Business License Commission permit before it can…

Los Angeles County prohibits willfully making loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise that disturbs neighborhood peace or causes discomfort to a reasonable person. The ordinance applies…

In unincorporated LA County, hosting platforms must block Short-Term Rental bookings unless the host holds a valid County registration certificate, post that certificate number on…

Only a host's primary residence may be registered; the host must live there at least 275 days per year, must document it with two official records, and ADUs, vacation rentals, and…

A 'Hosted Stay' requires the host to remain on the property throughout the guest's occupancy except during daytime or work hours; an 'Un-Hosted Stay' where the host is absent is also…

Short-term rental guests in unincorporated LA County are limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional people, with an absolute maximum of 12 guests per booking.

Hosts face fines up to $2,000 per day per violation or twice the nightly rate (whichever is greater) for enumerated violations; platforms face up to $1,000 per day; certificates may be…

STR guests in unincorporated LA County must follow all county parking regulations. Street parking is subject to posted limits and 72-hour rules. Hosts should communicate parking rules…

Short-term rentals must not cause nuisance activities including excessive noise, and must not be used to host parties, commercial events, or any gathering advertised on social media.

Un-Hosted Stays are capped at 90 nights per calendar year and must be booked for a minimum of 2 consecutive nights; Hosted Stays have no annual night cap but must be at least 1 night.

Hosts must sign a perjury-certified affidavit confirming primary residency, 24/7 local contact, minimum and maximum stay limits, and ineligibility of ADUs and vacation rentals before a…

Short-term rentals of 30 days or less in unincorporated LA County are subject to the county's 12% Transient Occupancy Tax, which applies to any structure, including apartment houses…

In unincorporated LA County, altering the exterior or character-defining features of a designated Landmark or historic district property requires a Certificate of Appropriateness from…

Properties within LA County's Historic District overlays must comply with special development standards, and in the Historic Highlands Historic District (Altadena, established July…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, the Board of Supervisors designates preferential parking districts by ordinance, on petition from two-thirds of a street's dwelling units; Public…

Unincorporated Los Angeles County does not define curb colors itself, but drivers and pedestrians must obey every posted traffic sign or curb marking the road commissioner places…

In unincorporated LA County, curbside loading zones marked by the traffic commissioner cap commercial vehicle stops at 20 minutes and passenger stops at 3 minutes, daily 7 a.m. to 6…

In 21 named unincorporated districts, oversized trailers and vehicles cannot park on streets or alleys without a nonconforming-vehicle permit.

Los Angeles County regulates non-consent towing only in its unincorporated territory, not in the 88 incorporated cities, and its Title 15 traffic ordinance is about when a vehicle may…

In unincorporated LA County residential and agricultural zones, vehicles may only be parked in the front yard area on a driveway; motor homes and travel trailers may not be parked in…

In more than 20 unincorporated communities, oversized vehicles, including RVs, large trailers, and boat trailers, exceeding 8 feet wide, 7.5 feet tall, or 20 feet long require a valid…

Los Angeles County Code Title 15, Chapter 15.64 governs parking in unincorporated areas. A vehicle left on a public highway for 72 or more consecutive hours may be removed. Oversized…

LA County Code Chapter 15.80 governs abandoned and inoperative vehicles in unincorporated areas. Vehicles on public highways for 72+ hours may be towed. Inoperative vehicles visible…

EV charging infrastructure in unincorporated LA County benefits from AB 2097 (no parking minimums near transit), CA Civil Code 1947.6 (tenant EV charging rights), and CALGreen…

Overnight parking in unincorporated LA County is subject to CA Vehicle Code 22651 (72-hour limit). Overnight vehicle habitation is restricted in many communities. LA County Sheriff…

On County-run Los Angeles County beaches like Dockweiler and Marina del Rey, open fires and barbecues are banned except in specific County-installed fire pits, RV Park barbecues, and…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, outdoor advertising signs and billboards can't use exposed incandescent lamps over 40 watts, revolving beacons, or flashing operations, and…

The Santa Monica Mountains North Area CSD requires all outdoor lighting to be fully shielded and directed downward, turned off from 10 pm to sunrise, with prohibited lighting types…

In the unincorporated Rural Outdoor Lighting District, County Code bans outdoor lighting that causes "unacceptable light trespass" onto neighboring parcels and requires every fixture…

Subdividers in unincorporated Los Angeles County must plant trees along the street frontage of every new lot, with species, number, and placement set by the Director of Public Works…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County land inside a mapped Significant Ecological Area, removing, pruning past 25% of foliage, or encroaching on a tree from the County's SEA Protected…

The Santa Monica Mountains North Area CSD designates any tree with a single trunk 36 or more inches in diameter (or two trunks totaling 54 or more inches) as a heritage tree; removal…

California Penal Code section 25400 prohibits carrying a concealed firearm without a CCW. The LA County Sheriff issues permits to county residents under shall-issue rules following…

California Penal Code section 26350 bans open carry of unloaded handguns in incorporated areas, and section 26400 bans openly carried unloaded long guns. Most LA County cities are…

California Penal Code sections 25400 and 25610 require firearms transported by vehicle in LA County to be unloaded, with handguns inside a locked container or trunk. Long guns must be…

Adults 21 and older in unincorporated LA County may cultivate up to six living cannabis plants per private residence under California Proposition 64, with plants kept indoors or in a…

Medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated LA County require a county business license, a conditional use permit from the Regional Planning Commission (if required under Title…

California AB-1276 prohibits restaurants and food vendors from automatically providing single-use foodware accessories. Utensils, straws, condiments, and stirrers must only be supplied…

California AB-1236 (Labor Code §2814) prohibits LA County and any city or county from requiring private employers to use E-Verify. Federal mandates apply only to federal contractors…

Commercial door-to-door solicitors in unincorporated LA County may need a county business license. Solicitation is regulated under county business licensing provisions. Religious and…

Door-to-door solicitors in unincorporated LA County may not approach any residence without a prearranged appointment between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (8:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. during…

Minors under 18 may not be present in any public place between 10:00 p.m. and sunrise unless they qualify for one of ten statutory exemptions. Parents who knowingly allow violations…

Los Angeles County parks and park buildings close to the public between midnight and 8 a.m. countywide, unless the visitor holds a valid camping permit or written authorization from…

In the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone, Los Angeles County requires new landscaping and revegetation to use locally-indigenous, drought-tolerant plants outside…

Tree trimming in unincorporated LA County is generally unrestricted for private property, except for protected oak trees. Any cutting or pruning of oak trees 8+ inches diameter…

Water use in unincorporated LA County is governed by various water districts and state conservation mandates. LADWP and other districts impose watering schedules during drought. AB…

Unincorporated LA County requires weed and vegetation maintenance under fire hazard reduction and nuisance abatement codes. Property owners must keep lots clear of weeds, especially in…

In the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains North Area, LA County requires a Protected Tree Permit before cutting, removing, relocating, or encroaching on any species listed on its…

Rainwater harvesting is legal and actively encouraged in unincorporated LA County. LADWP offers rebates for rain barrels. The LACFCD promotes distributed stormwater capture projects…

In unincorporated LA County, outdoor and indoor spas and hot tubs need the same pool-style barrier as swimming pools, but a lockable ASTM-rated safety cover can replace the…

Above-ground pools in unincorporated LA County holding 3,000+ gallons require a building permit from LA County Building & Safety. All barrier requirements (60-inch fencing…

LA County has no general predictive-scheduling ordinance for unincorporated areas. California AB-1228 governs fast-food workers via the statewide Fast Food Council, and statewide…

Unincorporated LA County charges a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax on all hotel and short-term stays of 30 consecutive days or less, collected by the operator at the time rent is paid and…

Hotel and janitorial employers in unincorporated LA County must offer available positions in writing to laid-off workers who qualify, prioritized by seniority, giving them at least 10…

Hotel employers in unincorporated LA County must pay room attendants double their regular rate for every hour worked on any day their cleaning workload exceeds 3,500 square feet (for…

LA County declares any property maintained in a defective, unsightly, or deteriorated condition that diminishes neighboring property values or constitutes a public nuisance as…

Most unincorporated LA County areas do not receive snow. Mountain communities (e.g., Wrightwood, Mt. Baldy area) may experience snowfall but there is no county snow removal ordinance…

Most single-family and lower-density residential zones in unincorporated LA County cap all buildings at 35 feet above grade, while the high-density R-5 zone allows up to 65 feet with a…

In unincorporated LA County residential zones, minimum front yards range from 15–20 feet depending on the zone, interior side yards require at least 5 feet, and rear yards require 15…

In Los Angeles County's unincorporated Residential Planned Development (RPD) zone, buildings built as a planned residential development under a Conditional Use Permit cannot cover more…

Unincorporated LA County offers an expedited permit process for small residential rooftop solar systems, with plan check review completed within 1 to 3 business days of a complete…

Residential rooftop solar installations in unincorporated LA County require a building, electrical, or plumbing permit; a combined solar energy permit covering all three disciplines…

California Solar Rights Act (Civil Code 714) prohibits HOAs from effectively banning solar installations in unincorporated LA County. Any restriction increasing cost by more than…

Fences 6 feet or shorter do not need a building permit in unincorporated LA County; taller fences or any fence used as a pool or spa barrier require a permit plus an inspection.

CA Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code 841) applies in unincorporated LA County. Adjoining property owners share boundary fence costs equally. The spite fence doctrine (CC 841.4)…

In the Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone (unincorporated LA County), barbed wire and chain-link fencing are explicitly prohibited, and fences must not use spikes, barbs, razors, or…

Retaining walls in required yards may not exceed 6 feet, and when a fill-retaining wall is topped with a fence the wall and fence heights are counted together toward the permitted…

The Altadena Community Standards District limits front-yard fences to 42 inches within 10 feet of the right-of-way line, 6 feet farther back, and bans barbed wire, concertina wire…

Yard sales on the last weekend of each month (the designated weekend) require no permit in unincorporated LA County; up to two additional yard sales per year on other weekends require…

When noise from a licensed dance hall or entertainment establishment disturbs nearby residents, the Business License Commission may order soundproofing; a licensee who fails to comply…

Residential air conditioning and refrigeration equipment in unincorporated Los Angeles County may not exceed fixed decibel limits measured at the neighbor's property line, patio or…

Unincorporated Los Angeles County requires any sounding motor-vehicle burglar alarm to shut off within 15 minutes of activation, treating a longer-running alarm itself as a noise-code…

HOAs in LA County are governed by the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Civil Code §4000–6150). Board meetings require advance notice, open sessions, and recorded…

HOAs in LA County may require architectural approval for exterior modifications under their CC&Rs, but California law limits restrictions on solar panels, drought-tolerant landscaping…

The Davis-Stirling Act regulates HOA assessments in LA County. Regular assessments may increase up to 20% annually without member vote. Special assessments exceeding 5% of budget…

The Davis-Stirling Act requires HOAs to offer internal dispute resolution (IDR) and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) before litigation. Members may request IDR meetings with the…

HOAs in LA County enforce CC&Rs through the Davis-Stirling Act. Fines require notice and hearing. CC&R amendments typically need 67% member approval. Enforcement must be uniform and…

In unincorporated LA County, the owner of property abutting a sidewalk or curb must repair or reconstruct it once it is out of repair, needs reconstruction, or endangers pedestrians.

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, placing or leaving any impediment to travel on a highway or sidewalk requires a Public Works encroachment permit; obstructing without one is a…

Anyone placing an encroachment, fences, structures, driveways, pipelines, in an unincorporated LA County highway right-of-way must get a permit from the Public Works commissioner…

The LA County Agricultural Commissioner maintains a list of noxious weeds and invasive plant species. California's noxious weed list (Food & Agriculture Code §5004) applies countywide…

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, violating any Title 22 zoning provision, permit, or approval is a misdemeanor by default under County Code § 22.242.030, with each day of the…

Security cameras on private residential property are legal in unincorporated LA County. California is a two-party consent state for audio recording (Penal Code §632), so cameras…

California is a two-party (all-party) consent state for recording confidential communications. Under Penal Code §632, recording private conversations without consent from all parties…