Before You Build in Long Beach, CA: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Front yard fences limited to 3 feet. Side and rear yard fences up to 6 feet 6 inches. LBMC §21.43.020 governs.

Boundary fences in Long Beach follow CA Civil Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) requiring shared cost. Spite fences over 10 ft built to annoy neighbors are a private nuisance under CA Civil Code §841.4.

A fence permit is required in Long Beach for fences over 4 feet or retaining walls over 4 feet. Fences over 6 ft 6 in require engineered drawings. Planning Bureau review is required for location, height, and materials.

Pool barriers in Long Beach must be at least 60 inches (5 ft) per CA Building Code Title 24 and the Swimming Pool Safety Act. Self-closing, self-latching gates required. At least one additional safety feature mandatory.

Retaining walls under 2 ft require no permit in Long Beach. Walls up to 4 ft are exempt unless supporting surcharge or sloping earth. Walls over 4 ft require a building permit and engineered drawings.

Above-ground pools in Long Beach must comply with the same barrier and safety requirements as in-ground pools per CA Building Code Title 24 and the Swimming Pool Safety Act. Pools with water 18+ inches deep require fencing.

Swimming pool fencing in Long Beach must be at least 60 inches per CA Building Code Title 24. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching. Openings in barriers cannot exceed 4 inches. Two drowning prevention features required.

A building permit is required for pool and spa installation in Long Beach. Pools cannot be in required front yards where fences over 5 ft are prohibited. Plans must include drainage, fencing, and safety feature details.

Long Beach pools must comply with the CA Swimming Pool Safety Act (HSC §115920-115929). At least two safety features required: barrier/fence, pool cover, alarms, or self-closing doors. Virginia Graeme Baker Act drain cover compliance is mandatory.

Hot tubs and spas in Long Beach are subject to the same barrier requirements as swimming pools under CA Building Code. Spas with water 18+ inches deep must be enclosed. Covers may count as one safety feature.

Long Beach follows CA state ADU law (Gov Code §65852.2). Detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft, 4-ft side/rear setbacks, 16-ft height limit. Pre-approved plans available.

Garage conversions to ADU or JADU allowed under CA state ADU law. Converted garages are exempt from setback requirements. No replacement parking required if within ½ mile of transit.

Accessory structures on private property require building permit depending on size. In flood zones, FEMA anchoring and elevation requirements apply.

Carports in Long Beach require a building permit and must comply with residential zoning setback requirements under LBMC Title 21. Detached carports are treated as accessory structures with specific height and lot coverage limits.

Tiny homes on foundations are regulated as ADUs under CA Gov Code §65852.2. Tiny homes on wheels are not permitted as permanent dwellings in residential zones but may qualify as recreational vehicles subject to parking and storage rules.

Open burning is heavily restricted in Long Beach. South Coast AQMD regulates all outdoor burning. Wood burning may be banned on Spare the Air days.

Portable fire pits are allowed in Long Beach on private property with conditions. Fires must be attended at all times. South Coast AQMD spare-the-air day restrictions apply. Beach fire rings are available at designated locations.

Trimming or removing public/street trees in Long Beach requires a permit from the Director of Public Works under LBMC Ch. 14.28. Topping, heading back, stubbing, lion tailing, and pollarding are prohibited.

Long Beach follows the MWELO (Smartscape) ordinance for new landscaping. Projects 500-2,500 sq ft have streamlined permits; over 2,500 sq ft require a landscape professional. High-water turf is prohibited in parkways and medians.

Street trees cannot be removed without city permit from Director of Public Works. City only approves removal for dead, dying, diseased, or hazardous trees. Private tree removal on private property governed by Chapter 14.28.