Garden Grove, CA

Garden Grove establishes exterior noise level standards based on land use zone. In residential zones, the daytime (7:00 AM to 10:00 PM) exterior noise limit is 55 dBA and the nighttime (10:00 PM to 7:00 AM) limit is 50 dBA, measured at the property line of the receiving property. Commercial zone limits are 60 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime. Industrial zone limits are 70 dBA at all times. These limits apply to stationary noise sources; temporary spikes from vehicles, construction (during permitted hours), and emergency equipment are assessed under separate standards.

Garden Grove regulates outdoor music and amplified sound under its general noise ordinance. Amplified music, live performances, loudspeakers, and PA systems used outdoors in or near residential areas must comply with the city's decibel limits (55 dBA daytime / 50 dBA nighttime at the receiving property line) and quiet hour restrictions (10 PM to 7 AM). Commercial establishments such as restaurants and bars along Garden Grove's major corridors must ensure that amplified entertainment does not exceed applicable noise standards at neighboring residential property lines. Special event permits for outdoor music may be obtained through the city with conditions on hours, volume, and duration.

Garden Grove enforces quiet hours in residential areas from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM daily. During these nighttime hours, noise that is plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet or more from the source is prohibited in residential zones. The city's noise ordinance is designed to protect residents from unreasonable disturbances while balancing the needs of a densely populated Orange County community of approximately 173,000 people. Daytime noise is also regulated but subject to higher tolerance thresholds. Persistent or repeated violations may result in escalating fines and potential misdemeanor charges.

Garden Grove restricts construction activity that generates noise to the hours of 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday. Construction is prohibited on Sundays and federal holidays. These restrictions apply to all construction, demolition, grading, excavation, and renovation activities on both residential and commercial properties. Contractors and homeowners performing DIY work must comply with these hours. Emergency repairs that pose an immediate threat to life or property are exempt from the time restrictions.

Garden Grove regulates the keeping of chickens, roosters, and livestock through its municipal code and zoning ordinance. Hens may be kept on residential lots that meet minimum lot-size thresholds, but roosters are prohibited in most residential zones because of the noise they generate. Larger livestock such as horses, goats, and cattle are restricted to properties with agricultural or equestrian zoning designations or to residential parcels that exceed minimum acreage requirements. All animal enclosures must comply with setback distances and be maintained in a sanitary condition to prevent nuisance complaints.

Garden Grove requires that all dogs be kept on a leash when on any public street, sidewalk, park, or other public area. Dogs running at large are subject to impoundment by OC Animal Care, which provides animal control services for the city under contract. All dogs over the age of four months must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. Garden Grove maintains a community dog park at Eastgate Park where dogs may be exercised off-leash within the designated fenced area.

Garden Grove does not impose breed-specific restrictions on dog ownership. California state law (Food and Agriculture Code Section 31683) preempts cities and counties from enacting breed-specific legislation that bans or restricts dogs based solely on breed. This means Garden Grove cannot prohibit residents from owning pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, or any other breed. Instead, the city enforces breed-neutral dangerous dog and vicious dog provisions that focus on individual animal behavior rather than breed classification.

Garden Grove requires all short-term rental (STR) operators to obtain a short-term rental permit from the city before listing or renting a property for periods of 30 consecutive days or fewer. The STR ordinance was enacted to address the impact of vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods, particularly given the city's proximity to Disneyland and other Anaheim Resort area attractions. Operators must demonstrate compliance with safety, parking, noise, and occupancy requirements. The property must be the operator's primary residence for hosted rentals, or meet additional requirements for whole-home rentals. A valid Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate is also required.

Garden Grove requires short-term rental operators to register their property with the city and display a valid permit number on all online listings and advertisements. Each listing must include the city-issued STR permit number prominently in the listing description. Platforms that do not display a valid Garden Grove permit number may be subject to city enforcement actions. The registration process verifies ownership, safety compliance, insurance coverage, and TOT enrollment. Operators must maintain current registration and notify the city of any changes to ownership, contact information, or the number of bedrooms offered for rental.

Garden Grove imposes nighttime occupancy and noise caps on short-term rentals to protect residential neighborhood quality of life. Between the hours of 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM, only registered overnight guests up to the permitted maximum occupancy may be present at the rental property. No outdoor gatherings, parties, or events are permitted during nighttime hours. The maximum occupancy for overnight stays is 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons. Noise from STR properties must comply with the city's quiet hour standards, and STR-related noise violations carry enhanced enforcement consequences including potential permit revocation.

Garden Grove prohibits open burning of trash, yard waste, construction debris, and other materials in residential backyards. The city falls within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), which bans open burning under Rule 444 except for narrowly defined exemptions. Recreational fires in approved fire pits and portable outdoor fireplaces are permitted under specific conditions, but burning of leaves, branches, paper, cardboard, lumber, and other waste materials is strictly prohibited at all times. Violations may result in fines from both the city fire department and SCAQMD.

Garden Grove falls within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and is subject to mandatory no-burn day orders issued throughout the fall and winter months. On declared no-burn days, wood-burning in fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas, and outdoor wood-burning devices is prohibited under SCAQMD Rule 445. Open burning of waste, yard debris, trash, and construction materials is prohibited at all times within Garden Grove as a densely urbanized Orange County city of approximately 173,000 residents. Gas and propane appliances are exempt from no-burn orders.

Garden Grove permits recreational fires in approved fire pits and portable outdoor fireplaces on residential properties subject to SCAQMD and local fire code requirements. Fire pits must burn only clean, dry, seasoned firewood or manufactured fire logs — no trash, treated lumber, or yard waste. The fire must be contained in an approved device, located at least 15 feet from any structure or combustible material, and kept to a manageable size no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. A spark screen or lid must be in place during use, and an adult must supervise the fire at all times with an extinguishing method readily available.

Garden Grove regulates on-street parking through its Municipal Code Title 11 and posted signage throughout the city. Vehicles may not remain parked on any public street for more than 72 consecutive hours without being moved. Street sweeping parking restrictions are enforced on posted days, and vehicles in violation receive citations. Abandoned or inoperable vehicles on public streets are subject to citation and towing. The city also enforces overnight parking restrictions on certain residential streets through posted signage.

Garden Grove strictly regulates the parking and storage of recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, and campers in residential zones. RVs, boats, and trailers may not be parked or stored in front yard areas visible from the street. On public streets, they are subject to the standard 72-hour parking limit and may face additional restrictions in posted areas. When stored on residential property, recreational vehicles must be located behind the front building line and screened from public view. Living or sleeping in an RV parked on a street or residential property is prohibited.

Garden Grove requires that all vehicles parked on residential property be on a paved or approved hard surface. Parking on unpaved front yard areas such as grass, dirt, or gravel is prohibited. Vehicles parked on driveways may not extend over the public sidewalk or into the right-of-way. Inoperable, unregistered, or dismantled vehicles may not be stored in open view on driveways or front yards. Garage spaces designated as required parking must retain their vehicle-parking function.

Garden Grove prohibits the parking and storage of large commercial vehicles in residential zones. Vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or exceeding certain length thresholds may not park on residential streets overnight. The city also restricts the storage of commercial trailers, heavy equipment, and vehicles with prominent commercial signage in residential areas. Garden Grove enforces designated truck routes that channel heavy commercial traffic along major corridors and away from neighborhoods.

Garden Grove establishes maximum fence and wall heights based on the fence's location on the property and the applicable zoning district. In residential zones, fences within the front yard setback are limited to 42 inches (3.5 feet). Side yard and rear yard fences may be up to 6 feet in height. Corner lots have additional sight-distance requirements at intersections. Fences exceeding these limits require a variance or conditional use permit from the Planning Division.

Garden Grove requires building permits for certain fence and wall construction projects, particularly for masonry block walls and fences exceeding standard height thresholds. Most wood, vinyl, and chain-link fences under 6 feet do not require a building permit but must comply with zoning setback and height regulations. Block walls and masonry fences over 3.5 feet typically require a building permit and structural details. Retaining walls over 4 feet require permits and engineered plans. All fences must comply with both the California Building Code and local zoning standards.

Boundary fences between neighboring properties in Garden Grove are governed by California Civil Code Section 841, commonly known as the Good Neighbor Fence Act of 2013. This state law establishes a presumption that adjoining property owners share equally in the reasonable costs of constructing, maintaining, and replacing a boundary fence. A property owner who wants to build or replace a shared boundary fence must provide written notice to the neighbor at least 30 days before beginning work. All local Garden Grove fence height limits and permit requirements still apply regardless of neighbor agreement.

Garden Grove regulates the trimming, pruning, and removal of trees on both public rights-of-way and private property. Street trees and parkway trees are maintained by the city's Public Works Department, and residents are prohibited from trimming, removing, or damaging any public tree without prior authorization. Trees on private property may generally be trimmed by the property owner, but removal of significant or protected trees may require approval from the Community and Economic Development Department. The city promotes proper arboricultural practices and encourages drought-tolerant tree species suited to Orange County's Mediterranean climate.

Garden Grove requires property owners to maintain lawns and landscaped areas in a neat and orderly condition as part of its property maintenance and nuisance abatement regulations. Grass and vegetation on residential and commercial properties must not be allowed to grow to excessive heights that create fire hazards, harbor vermin, or detract from the appearance of the neighborhood. The city enforces a maximum vegetation height standard, after which overgrowth is considered a public nuisance subject to abatement. Garden Grove's code enforcement division conducts regular inspections and responds to resident complaints regarding unmaintained properties.

Garden Grove enforces a strict weed abatement program as part of its broader property maintenance and fire prevention efforts. The city declares weeds, rubbish, and dead vegetation on private property to be a public nuisance and seasonal fire hazard. Property owners are required to clear all weeds and combustible vegetation annually before the start of fire season, and to maintain their properties in a weed-free condition throughout the dry months. The program is coordinated with the Orange County Fire Authority's hazard reduction requirements for the region.

Garden Grove's zoning code permits home-based businesses in residential zones subject to a set of conditions designed to preserve the residential character of neighborhoods. Home occupations must be clearly incidental and secondary to the residential use of the dwelling and must not alter the external appearance of the home. A business license from the city is required before operating any home-based business. The regulations limit the types of activities, number of employees, and percentage of floor space that may be devoted to the business, and they prohibit manufacturing, warehousing, and retail sales from residential properties.

Garden Grove prohibits exterior signage for home-based businesses in residential zones as part of its home occupation regulations. The zoning code requires that home occupations not alter the residential appearance of the dwelling, and commercial signage on residential property is considered incompatible with this requirement. This includes permanent signs, temporary banners, window signs visible from the street, vehicle-mounted advertising parked at the residence, and any form of exterior advertising that identifies the property as a place of business. The restriction preserves the visual character of Garden Grove's residential neighborhoods.

Garden Grove strictly limits customer and client traffic at home-based businesses in residential zones. The city's home occupation regulations prohibit retail walk-in sales and significantly restrict the volume of clients or customers visiting the home for business purposes. Home occupations must not generate vehicular or pedestrian traffic substantially in excess of what is normal for the residential neighborhood. The intent is to prevent parking congestion, noise, and commercial activity patterns that would diminish the residential character of the area and negatively impact neighboring residents.