115 local rules on file · Pop. 90,189 · Alameda County
All consumer fireworks, including 'safe and sane,' are banned in Livermore year-round. Possession or use carries fines up to $1,000.
Livermore's south and east foothills, including areas near Del Valle and Sycamore Grove, are mapped as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by CAL FIRE.
Livermore enforces PRC 4291 defensible space — 100 ft of clearance around structures in east/south foothill VHFHSZ areas, inspected annually by LPFD.
Commercial noise in Livermore limited to 65 dBA at residential property lines day, 55 dBA night. Industrial zones have higher limits. LLNL and airport have separate regimes.
Amplified music in Livermore must stay below 55 dBA day / 45 dBA night at neighbor property lines. Downtown and wine country events may require amplified sound permits.
Livermore prohibits habitual dog barking that disturbs neighbors under LMC 6.08. Alameda County Animal Services handles enforcement with a complaint and warning system.
Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) has a voluntary noise abatement program with preferred runway/pattern procedures. No curfew but quiet hours 10 PM-7 AM discouraged.
Livermore allows leaf blowers within construction hours only. AB 1346 bans sale of new gas blowers statewide since Jan 1, 2024. Electric blowers still subject to noise hours.
Vehicle noise in Livermore enforced primarily through CA Vehicle Code §27150-27207. Altered/loud exhausts prohibited. Engine braking restricted on some streets.
Landscaping in Livermore allowed 7 AM-7 PM weekdays, 9 AM-6 PM Saturdays. No Sunday/holiday landscaping per LMC 9.32. Applies to mowers, blowers, trimmers.
Livermore quiet hours run 10 PM to 7 AM weekdays and 10 PM to 8 AM weekends per LMC Chapter 9.32. Residential limit is 55 dB day, 45 dB night.
Livermore construction hours are 7 AM to 7 PM Monday-Friday and 9 AM to 6 PM Saturdays. No construction Sundays or federal holidays without permit.
Livermore cannot enact breed-specific bans — California Food & Ag Code §31683 preempts all local BSL. Dangerous dog designations are behavior-based only.
Exotic pets heavily restricted in Livermore. CDFW Title 14 §671 bans most wild animals statewide. No permits for big cats, primates, venomous reptiles.
Beekeeping allowed in Livermore residential zones with setbacks. Hives must be 20+ feet from property lines and registered with Alameda County Ag Commissioner.
Dogs in Livermore must be leashed in public per LMC 6.08 and Alameda County ordinance. 6-foot max leash. Off-leash only at designated dog parks (Max Baer, Robertson).
Livermore limits households to approximately 4 dogs and 4 cats per single-family residence. Exceeding the limit requires a kennel permit.
Livermore allows backyard hens on residential lots. Typical limit 4-6 hens, no roosters. Coop setbacks 15-25 feet from neighbor dwellings.
Feeding wildlife discouraged in Livermore. Feeding deer, coyotes, raccoons, and turkeys can trigger nuisance designation. CDFW prohibits deer feeding statewide.
Livermore allows 6-foot fences in rear/side yards and 3.5-foot fences in front yards per LMC zoning. Corner lots have visibility triangle restrictions.
California Civil Code §841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) governs Livermore boundary fences. Costs presumed split equally; 30-day written notice required before construction.
Livermore permits wood, vinyl, masonry, wrought iron, and metal fencing. Chain link restricted in front yards. Barbed wire banned in residential zones.
Livermore corner lots must maintain a clear sight triangle — typically 25 feet from intersection curbs — with nothing over 3 feet in height.
No permit needed for Livermore fences 6 feet or less. Over 6 feet requires building permit. Retaining walls over 4 feet always require permit per CBC.
Barbed wire and electric fencing prohibited in Livermore residential zones. Permitted in agricultural zones for livestock with proper signage under CA Penal Code rules.
Livermore pools must have 60-inch barriers with self-closing, self-latching gates per CA Health & Safety Code §115920-115929. Post-2007 pools need 2+ safety features.
Livermore must allow ADUs under CA Gov Code §65852.2. Detached ADUs up to 800 sq ft with 4-ft setbacks, JADUs up to 500 sq ft, 60-day permit review.
Garage conversions to ADUs are streamlined under CA state law in Livermore. Near-transit conversions don't require replacement parking.
Sheds under 120 sq ft in Livermore don't require a building permit. Setbacks typically 3-5 ft from side/rear property lines; no electrical/plumbing without permit.
Tiny homes on foundations qualify as ADUs in Livermore under state law. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are treated as RVs — not legal as permanent dwellings.
Carports in Livermore require a building permit and must meet zoning setbacks. Front-yard carports generally prohibited; side/rear setbacks 3-5 ft.
Livermore follows California Water Service and Zone 7 drought stages, plus permanent SWRCB rules — no runoff, no hosing hardscape, watering before 9 AM / after 6 PM.
Livermore follows California's MWELO and AB 1572 turf ban for non-functional turf. New developments must emphasize native and drought-tolerant plants.
Livermore treats grass or weeds over 12 inches as a public nuisance under Gov Code §39561. LPFD-led abatement notices precede contractor clearing and liens.
Artificial turf is allowed in Livermore residential yards. CA Civil Code §4735 prohibits HOAs from banning synthetic grass during drought declarations.
Rainwater harvesting from rooftops is legal in Livermore under the 2012 CA Rainwater Capture Act. No permit for simple rain barrels; larger cisterns may need permits.
Livermore abates noxious weeds and overgrown vegetation under Gov Code §39560 and PRC §4291, targeting fire fuels on vacant lots and hillside parcels.
Livermore regulates trimming of street and heritage trees through the Public Works Department; private-property trees generally don't require permits unless protected.
Livermore requires a permit to remove heritage, native oak, and street trees. Replacement planting or in-lieu fees typically required.
Livermore home occupations must not generate customer visits that exceed typical residential traffic. Regular client meetings at home are typically prohibited.
Livermore permits small (up to 8 children) and large (9-14) family daycare homes in all residential zones per Health & Safety Code §1597.40 state preemption.
Livermore home occupations require a Home Occupation Permit and business license. No on-site employees, no customer traffic, no exterior signs or storage.
Cottage food operations in Livermore are allowed under CA AB 1616/AB 1240, with Class A (direct) or Class B (indirect) registration through Alameda County Environmental Health.
Livermore home occupations require a home occupation permit and business license. Must be clearly incidental to residential use with no external impacts.
No signage is allowed for home occupations in Livermore. Business signs on residential property violate the home occupation permit terms.
Livermore TOT is 10% on all stays under 30 days. Hosts must collect and remit monthly or ensure platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) collect on their behalf.
Livermore STRs must provide on-site parking for guests (typically 1 space per bedroom up to the home's capacity). Street parking should be minimized.
Livermore STR occupancy is typically capped at 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional, subject to building/fire code limits. Daytime event caps also apply.
Livermore does not impose a statewide-style annual night cap on whole-home STRs, but non-hosted operations are subject to full operational standards and enforcement.
Livermore STRs must comply with citywide noise ordinance quiet hours (typically 10 PM-7 AM). Amplified outdoor sound prohibited at night; complaints can trigger permit action.
Livermore STR operators must carry liability insurance (commonly $500,000-$1,000,000) covering STR use. Platform coverage (e.g., AirCover) may satisfy requirements.
Livermore STRs must register with the city annually and renew. Registration requires business license, TOT certificate, insurance, local contact, and safety certification.
Livermore requires short-term rentals to obtain a business license and register with the city. STRs are regulated under the municipal code with operator standards.
Livermore requires building, electrical, and plumbing permits for new pools and spas. Plan review ensures compliance with HSC §115920-115922 safety features.
Livermore pool barriers must be 60 inches minimum, with self-closing/self-latching gates opening outward. Per HSC §115923, at least two drowning prevention features required.
Livermore hot tubs/spas require electrical permits. A locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 satisfies barrier requirements under HSC §115922.
Livermore enforces CA Pool Safety Act (HSC §115920-115929): VGB-compliant drain covers, anti-entrapment, barriers, and real estate disclosure at sale.
Above-ground pools over 18 inches deep in Livermore require permits and must meet HSC barrier rules. Pool walls 60+ inches high may serve as the barrier.
Livermore follows SB 946 and AB 1236 streamlined EV charger permitting; CalGreen Title 24 mandates EV-ready infrastructure in new construction.
Livermore prohibits commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR and oversized vehicles from parking in residential zones except for active loading or service calls.
Livermore has no blanket overnight parking ban on residential streets; the 72-hour rule under CVC 22651(k) is the primary constraint, plus posted permit zones.
Livermore Police investigate abandoned vehicles under CVC 22669 and CVC 22523; 72+ hour parking, expired registration, or inoperable condition triggers tow.
Livermore enforces the statewide 72-hour limit under CVC 22651(k) plus posted time-limit zones downtown; permit parking districts exist near Livermore High School.
Livermore requires encroachment permits for new or widened driveway approaches and prohibits driveway parking that overhangs sidewalks under CVC 22500(f).
Livermore prohibits RVs, boats, and trailers from parking on public streets more than 72 hours and restricts front-yard RV storage to screened side or rear yards.
Livermore HOAs enforce CC&Rs via notice, hearing, and fines per Civ Code §5850/5855. Fines must be in an adopted schedule; hearings required before penalties.
Livermore HOA assessments regulated by Civ Code §5600-5740. Regular increase capped at 20%/year without member vote; special assessments >5% budget need approval.
Livermore HOA architectural committees must follow Civ Code §4765: fair procedures, written decisions, appeal rights. Cannot ban solar (§714) or water-conserving plants (§4735).
Livermore HOAs follow Davis-Stirling Act (Civ Code §4000-6150). Open board meetings, 4-day notice, agenda requirements, and member speaking rights mandated.
Livermore HOAs must offer Internal Dispute Resolution (Civ Code §5900-5920) and Alternative Dispute Resolution before filing suit to enforce CC&Rs (§5930).
Livermore has FEMA-mapped flood zones along Arroyo Mocho and Arroyo Las Positas; NFIP floodplain development permits required in Zones A and AE.
Livermore is a Bay Area MRP 3.0 permittee; new/redevelopment projects 10,000+ sq ft must implement C.3 Low Impact Development stormwater treatment.
Livermore requires grading permits for 50+ cubic yards of earthwork or 6+ ft of cut/fill under LMC Ch. 15.32 and CBC Appendix J.
Livermore requires erosion and sediment control plans for grading permits Oct 1-Apr 30 wet season; BMPs mandatory under MRP 3.0 construction requirements.
Livermore prohibits light trespass onto neighboring residential properties; LMC Title 21 caps illuminance at residential property lines to 0.5 foot-candles.
Livermore's proximity to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Lick Observatory supports shielded-lighting requirements under LMC Title 21 design standards.
Livermore residential height limits are typically 30 ft / 2 stories in RL and RS zones; detached ADUs allowed up to 16-25 ft per state law.
Livermore caps residential lot coverage typically at 40-50% for main structures; impervious surface and FAR limits also apply under LMC Title 21.
Livermore zoning Title 21 sets typical residential setbacks at 20 ft front, 5 ft side, 15-20 ft rear; ADU setbacks reduced to 4 ft under state law.
Livermore addresses pests through property maintenance nuisance rules and Alameda County Vector Control Services; licensed pest operators must follow DPR regulations.
Livermore enforces Cal/OSHA Title 8 scaffold standards plus encroachment permits for sidewalk or right-of-way scaffolding through the Public Works Department.
Pre-1978 Livermore homes subject to EPA RRP Rule and HSC §17920.10. Lead-safe work practices required for renovation; disclosure mandatory at sale/lease.
Livermore elevators regulated by Cal/OSHA Division of Occupational Safety & Health Elevator Unit. Annual permits and inspections required; certificates must be posted.
Livermore tenants are protected by California's AB 1482 statewide just-cause eviction law. Landlords must state an allowable reason after 12 months of tenancy.
Livermore has NO local rent control ordinance; only statewide AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act applies, capping annual increases at CPI+5% up to 10%.
Livermore does not operate a municipal rental registration or rent board. Landlords must still comply with state disclosure and habitability requirements.
Livermore processes residential solar permits within 1-3 business days under AB 2188/SB 379; Title 24 Solar Mandate requires panels on new homes.
California Civil Code §714 Solar Rights Act preempts HOA solar bans statewide; Livermore HOAs cannot prohibit rooftop solar or cause >10% efficiency loss.
Door-to-door commercial solicitors in Livermore must obtain a city business license and identification badge before canvassing residences.
A posted No Solicitation sign in Livermore legally bars commercial solicitors from knocking, even with a city permit.
Livermore food trucks need Alameda County Environmental Health MFF permit plus city business license; private property operation via zoning approval under LMC Title 21.
Livermore allows food trucks on private property with zoning approval but restricts sidewalk vending under SB 946 to permitted zones and time limits.
Holiday lighting and seasonal displays on private homes are permitted in Livermore without special permits when within standard safety limits.
Political signs are protected speech in Livermore, with HOAs preempted from banning them under California Civil Code 4710.
Livermore permits small, temporary garage sale signs on private property but prohibits them on utility poles, traffic signs, and public right-of-way.
Livermore prohibits blighted property conditions including junk, debris, inoperable vehicles, and overgrown vegetation visible from the street.
Livermore allows occasional residential garage sales without a permit but limits frequency and signage to prevent sales from becoming de facto retail use.
Livermore adjacent property owners must maintain sidewalks in safe condition under California Streets & Highways Code 5610, though snow is essentially never a concern.
Vacant lots in Livermore must be kept free of weeds, trash, and fire fuels per weed abatement and public nuisance codes.
Trash, recycling, and organics carts must be stored out of public view between collection days under Livermore property maintenance rules.
Livermore Sanitation Inc. provides weekly curbside collection of garbage, recycling, and organics on a set day based on address.
Livermore residential customers receive two on-call bulky item pickups per year from Livermore Sanitation at no extra charge.
Trash, recycling, and organics carts in Livermore must be placed at the curb no earlier than the evening before pickup and stored out of public view otherwise.
Livermore residents and businesses must separate organic waste from trash under California SB 1383, enforced through the green cart program.
Livermore adults 21+ may grow up to six cannabis plants indoors per Prop 64; outdoor cultivation is prohibited under local ordinance.
Livermore prohibits all commercial cannabis storefronts and manufacturing; only state-licensed delivery may reach Livermore addresses.
Livermore enforces a juvenile curfew prohibiting minors under 18 from being in public places between 10 PM and 5 AM without a parent or valid exception.
Livermore city parks and LARPD facilities are closed from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM except for permitted events.
Recreational drones in Livermore fall under FAA rules plus park launch restrictions; airspace around the Livermore Municipal Airport is Class D.
Commercial drone operations in Livermore require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate plus LAANC authorization within Livermore Airport Class D airspace.