Santa Clarita, CA

Santa Clarita sets specific decibel limits by zoning district and time of day under Section 11.44.040. Residential areas are capped at 65 dBA during the day and 55 dBA at night. Commercial and manufacturing zones permit up to 80 dBA during the day and 70 dBA at night. Boundary-line disputes between different zones default to the quieter zone's standard.

Santa Clarita enforces noise limits with designated quiet hours from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Residential zones are limited to 65 dBA during the day and 55 dBA at night. The city declares it policy to prohibit unnecessary, excessive, and annoying noises detrimental to the health and welfare of its citizens.

Santa Clarita prohibits the use of radios, musical instruments, loudspeakers, and other sound-amplifying equipment in a manner that disturbs the peace and comfort of neighboring residents. Amplified sound must comply with the standard noise limits of 65 dBA daytime and 55 dBA nighttime in residential zones. Loud parties with amplified music are specifically addressed and may trigger law enforcement response cost recovery.

Santa Clarita restricts construction requiring a building permit to weekdays 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturdays 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM when within 300 feet of residentially zoned property. Construction is prohibited on six designated holidays. The Department of Community Development may issue after-hours permits with noise containment requirements.

Santa Clarita adopts the 2022 California Fire Code with local amendments. Fire pits and recreational fires must be at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material. Gas and propane fire pits are generally permitted and exempt from SCAQMD no-burn days. Wood-burning fire pits are subject to SCAQMD Rule 445 burn-day restrictions. Much of Santa Clarita is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone requiring extra caution.

Santa Clarita is within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and subject to mandatory no-burn days under Rule 445. Open burning of vegetation and debris is prohibited without a permit from the LA County Fire Department. The city's location in a high fire risk area means burn bans are frequently in effect, especially during Santa Ana wind events and dry summer months.

Santa Clarita requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in fire hazard zones under state law (PRC 4291). Backyard fires must comply with California Fire Code setback requirements. Properties in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain brush clearance, and the LA County Fire Department actively inspects and enforces compliance through its Defensible Space Program.

Santa Clarita requires that vehicles parked on private driveways have the express or implied consent of the property owner. Inoperable vehicles are not allowed to be visible from public view, even on private property. Required residential off-street parking spaces (typically in garages) must be maintained and cannot be permanently converted for non-parking uses such as storage.

Santa Clarita prohibits parking commercial vehicles on any street in a residential zone at any time, except for vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) under 12,000 pounds. Exceptions are provided for active loading/unloading, construction work in the immediate vicinity, and service activities on adjacent properties. This regulation addresses community concerns about large commercial trucks in residential neighborhoods.

Santa Clarita enforces a 72-hour street parking limit for all vehicles on public roads. Vehicles that remain in the same location for more than 72 consecutive hours are subject to citation and towing. The city updated its enforcement approach after receiving 4,711 complaints about the 72-hour rule in 2022 alone, including a provision that vehicles must move at least 150 feet to reset the clock.

Santa Clarita strictly regulates oversized vehicles including RVs and boats. Vehicles meeting or exceeding at least two of three criteria (23 feet long, 8 feet tall, or 7 feet wide) cannot be parked on public streets for more than 48 hours without a permit. Permits allow up to 72 hours and are limited to three permits per 90 calendar days. The city responded to 783 oversized vehicle complaints in a single recent year.

Santa Clarita generally exempts standard residential fences from building permits. Chain link or wire fences under 12 feet and wood, vinyl, or wrought iron fences under 6 feet are typically exempt when allowed by the Planning Division. Block walls and retaining walls have separate permit requirements. Fences over 6 feet require Director approval or adjustment permits depending on height.

Santa Clarita follows California Civil Code Section 841 for shared boundary fences between neighbors, which establishes equal responsibility for maintenance of common fences. The city's zoning code governs maximum heights and setbacks. Property line disputes for fences installed as regional planning requirements may reference approved grading plans, and the city recommends hiring a licensed land surveyor for uncertain boundaries.

Santa Clarita limits front yard fences to 42 inches (view-obscuring) or 48 inches (non-view-obscuring pipe or rail). Interior side and rear yard fences can be up to 6 feet tall by right. Fences between 6 and 15 feet in height require Director approval with a 5-foot setback from property lines. Heights exceeding 15 feet require an adjustment permit.

Santa Clarita permits chickens and other small animals based on lot size under Chapter 17.62. Lots under 15,000 sq ft may not keep poultry. Lots between 15,001 and 20,000 sq ft may keep up to 3 small animals including chickens. Roosters are only permitted on lots greater than one acre at a ratio of one per acre. All animal structures must be at least 50 feet from any street or building used for human habitation.

Santa Clarita requires all dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when off the owner's property. Dogs running at large on public property or another person's private property are prohibited under Chapter 8.32. Up to 4 dogs per household are permitted without an animal facility license. All dogs over 4 months must be licensed, vaccinated against rabies, microchipped, and spayed or neutered.

Santa Clarita has no breed-specific restrictions. California state law (Food & Agricultural Code Section 31683) preempts all local breed-specific legislation. Instead, the city uses behavior-based dangerous dog classifications under Chapter 8.37. Dogs are declared dangerous based on individual behavior such as biting, attacking, or menacing, not their breed. Owners of declared dangerous dogs face specific containment and insurance requirements.

Santa Clarita requires dry grass and weeds to be cut to 3 inches or less on all properties as part of fire hazard reduction. Properties in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain 100 feet of defensible space with grass cut to a maximum of 4 inches. The LA County Agricultural Commissioner and Fire Department jointly enforce these requirements through annual inspections and the weed abatement program.

Santa Clarita has a strong oak tree preservation ordinance requiring a permit for any cutting, pruning, removal, relocation, or encroachment into the protected zone of any oak tree on public or private property. The city's policy is to require preservation of all healthy oak trees unless compelling reasons justify removal. Property owners must maintain oak trees in good health, and failure to do so is a violation.

Santa Clarita properties are subject to the LA County weed abatement program enforced jointly by the Fire Department and Agricultural Commissioner. Properties must maintain clearance of hazardous vegetation including weeds, dry brush, and rubbish. A minimum 100-foot clearance from structures and 10 feet along roads is required. Non-compliant properties face County abatement at the owner's expense with costs potentially placed as liens.

Santa Clarita completely prohibits all signage for home-based businesses. No signs of any kind, whether permanent or temporary, are permitted to advertise a home occupation. This includes wall signs, yard signs, window signs, banners, and any other form of exterior advertising. The restriction is designed to preserve the residential character of neighborhoods throughout the city.

Santa Clarita strictly limits customer and client visits to home-based businesses. No employees, customers, or clients may visit the site except as specifically allowed. The home business must not generate vehicular or pedestrian traffic in excess of what is normal for the residential zone. Visitation and deliveries are limited to 7 AM - 7 PM Monday through Friday and 8 AM - 6 PM on weekends, with no visits on holidays.

Santa Clarita requires a Home Occupation Permit (HOP) from the Planning Division for all home-based businesses. Only one home occupation is permitted per dwelling unit. The business must be conducted entirely indoors with no exterior alterations, storage, or signage. Only residents of the dwelling may work in the business. The permit fee is $51 and is processed as a Class II application.

Santa Clarita does not impose specific night caps or annual rental day limits on short-term rentals. There are no hosted vs. unhosted distinctions or annual night limits. Hosts may operate year-round without restrictions on the number of nights rented, though they must comply with general noise quiet hours from 9 PM to 7 AM and parking regulations.

Santa Clarita does not currently have a specific short-term rental ordinance or permit requirement. There are no city-imposed land-use restrictions on short-term rentals. Hosts must comply with the city's 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and may need a Los Angeles County business license. The regulatory landscape is less restrictive than many neighboring LA County cities.

Santa Clarita does not require specific STR registration but hosts must comply with the city's 10% Transient Occupancy Tax. Business licensing is administered through Los Angeles County. There is no city-maintained STR registry, no listing number requirement, and no mandatory inspections for short-term rental properties.