Glendale, CA

Glendale establishes specific decibel limits based on zoning districts under Section 8.36.040. Residential zones range from 45-60 dBA depending on property type and time of day. Noise exceeding the ambient level plus 5 dBA is presumed to be a violation, with a further 5 dBA reduction for sounds containing pure tones or impulsive characteristics.

Glendale enforces quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM under Chapter 8.36 of the Municipal Code. During nighttime hours, exterior noise in single-family residential zones must not exceed 45 dBA, while daytime limits are 55 dBA. The city declares it policy to prohibit unnecessary, excessive, and annoying noise from all sources.

Glendale requires registration and approval before operating any loudspeaker or sound-amplifying equipment in public spaces. Amplified sound is restricted to 7 AM to 10 PM and may not exceed 15 dBA above ambient levels at any property line. Equipment may not be operated within 200 feet of churches, schools, hospitals, or libraries.

Glendale prohibits construction activity in or within 500 feet of residential zones between 7 PM and 7 AM. The ordinance broadly defines construction to include transportation, delivery, loading, and unloading of materials, tools, and equipment at construction sites. Emergency utility and public safety work is exempt.

Glendale requires all home-sharing hosts to register and obtain a license, designate a local contact person who can respond within 60 minutes, maintain records for three years, and sign an indemnification agreement. Hosts must display their license number on all listings and comply with large-party prohibitions under Chapter 9.22.

Glendale does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights a primary residence can be rented for home-sharing. The City Council removed a proposed 180-day annual cap, making Glendale more lenient than many neighboring cities in this regard. However, the host must be present on-site during every guest stay.

Glendale requires a Home-Sharing License under Chapter 5.56 for any rental of 30 consecutive days or less. Only hosted stays where the primary resident is on-site during the guest's entire stay are permitted. Vacation rentals (un-hosted stays) are strictly prohibited. The license number must be displayed on all advertisements and listings.

Glendale falls within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), which enforces seasonal burn bans from November through February. On declared No-Burn Days, all wood burning in fireplaces, stoves, and outdoor fire pits is prohibited. Propane and natural gas devices are generally exempt. Glendale's location in the Verdugo Mountains area makes fire safety an elevated concern.

Glendale regulates fire pits under Chapter 15.08 of the Municipal Code, which adopts the International Fire Code with local amendments. Open burning must be at least 50 feet from any structure. Gas-fueled fire pits (propane or natural gas) are preferred and generally exempt from burn bans. All outdoor fire installations require compliance with the Glendale Fire Code.

Glendale strictly regulates backyard fires under the International Fire Code as adopted in Chapter 15.08. Open burning requires a 50-foot clearance from structures and Fire Code Official approval. Recreational fires must be contained in approved devices, with wood burning subject to SCAQMD No-Burn Day restrictions. The Verdugo Mountains proximity requires enhanced fire safety vigilance.

Glendale strictly limits the parking of RVs, boats, and large vehicles on public streets to a maximum of two hours. Large vehicles are defined as those exceeding 8 feet in width, 8 feet in height, or 23 feet in length. Boats and personal watercraft of any size are also limited to two hours. Temporary permits are available but limited to two 24-hour periods per month.

Glendale limits parking of commercial and large vehicles (over 8 feet wide, 8 feet tall, or 23 feet long) on public streets to two hours. This applies to all motor vehicles, house cars, recreational vehicles, and trailers. Vehicles parked for service or loading may remain longer only as reasonably necessary to complete the work.

Glendale prohibits parking on the front setback or yard area in residential zones except on improved driveways or in approved garages/carports. Driveways must not exceed 52% of the front property line width, and in R1 zones cannot occupy more than 45% of the first 25 feet of setback area. Decorative paving is required for driveway surfaces in single-family zones.

Glendale enforces posted time-limit street parking throughout the city, with Preferential Parking Permit Districts available for residents in designated areas. Moving a vehicle within 300 feet on the same street is deemed a single act of parking and does not reset the time limit. Residents may purchase preferential parking permits but are still subject to posted No Parking zones.

Glendale limits fence heights based on zone and location. In residential zones, fences in front setback areas are limited to 42 inches. Side and rear fences may be up to 6 feet. Fences on retaining walls can be up to 6 feet above the retaining portion. The Fence Overlay Zone (F) applies to certain North Glendale neighborhoods with additional restrictions.

Glendale regulates fences at property boundaries through its zoning code. Side and rear boundary fences may reach 6 feet. Chain-link fencing must be screened from adjacent parcels by vegetation. California's Good Neighbor Fence Act (Civil Code Section 841) also applies, generally requiring shared costs for boundary fences between neighbors.

Glendale requires permits for fence construction, particularly for fences and walls over 3 feet in height which are subject to additional requirements under Chapter 30.47. Fences must be made of approved materials including wood, masonry, or decorative metal. The Community Development Department reviews fence plans for compliance with zoning, height, setback, and material requirements.

Glendale requires dogs to be restrained by a chain or leash not exceeding 6 feet in length and held by a capable person when off the owner's property. Dogs are not considered "at large" when on a leash, on the owner's private property, or securely confined within an automobile. Owners must immediately clean up fecal matter deposited on public or private property.

Glendale allows limited keeping of chickens and small livestock in residential areas under Title 6 of the Municipal Code. Residents may keep a combined total of no more than two rabbits, chickens (excluding roosters), ducks, or pigeons within 50 feet of neighboring residences. Up to 12 such animals may be kept if more than 300 feet from any neighboring dwelling.

Glendale does not impose breed-specific restrictions or bans on any dog breed. The city addresses dangerous dogs through behavior-based regulation rather than breed identification. California state law under the Food and Agricultural Code generally preempts local breed-specific legislation. The code focuses on "vicious animal" designations based on individual animal behavior.

Glendale requires property owners to keep grass and lawns neatly cut and trimmed. Street setback areas in single-family zones must be landscaped with at least 50% plant materials and maintained in a neat and orderly manner. Parkway landscaping must be maintained in a clean, orderly, and healthy condition at all times. Drought-tolerant alternatives are encouraged.

Glendale protects both city-owned trees (Chapter 12.40) and indigenous trees (Chapter 12.44) with strict permit requirements. Topping, hat-racking, or lion's tail pruning of protected indigenous trees is prohibited. Any work to or near a protected indigenous tree requires a permit. City trees are pruned every six years following industry standards.

Glendale requires property owners to maintain properties free of hazardous vegetation year-round, with particular attention during fire season. A minimum 100-foot defensible space from structures and 10 feet along roads must be maintained. Dead, dry, or neglected landscaping including cultivated ground cover must be cleared if it provides a means of transmitting fire to structures.

Glendale strictly prohibits business signage for home occupations in residential zones. Accessory wall signs are not permitted in residential zones or for residential uses in mixed-use zones. Identification wall signs are permitted in all zones but not for individual tenants or occupants in residential zones. Home businesses must operate without any exterior indication of commercial activity.

Glendale requires a Home Occupation Permit under Chapter 30.45 for any business operated from a residence. The business must be incidental and subordinate to the residential use. The Director of Community Development may grant permits with conditions to protect the residential neighborhood. A separate business registration certificate is not required for permitted home occupations.

Glendale strictly prohibits any increase in pedestrian or vehicular traffic generated by a home occupation. No required residential parking spaces may be displaced by the home business. The home business must operate without any visible impact on the residential neighborhood, maintaining the character and quiet enjoyment expected in residential zones.