What is a Zoning Violation
A zoning violation is any land use maintained contrary to the Zoning Code (Title 22). Below are examples of common zoning violations observed on properties:
Inaccessible Garage
Required covered off-street parking, such as a garage or carport, must be maintained accessible for the parking of vehicle(s), unless there is an approval from LA County Planning for another use of the garage. For example, the garage entrance and driveway cannot have items blocking vehicle access to the driveway and garage or carport interior.
Yard Setbacks
Parcels in Agricultural and Residential Zones have a front, side and rear yard setback. A yard setback means an open space on the property without any structures as measured from the property lines.
Parking of Vehicles in the Front Yard
The parking or storage of vehicles in front yard areas is not allowed unless on a driveway, which is the area leading directly to an approved garage or carport. The front yard is the area, paved or unpaved, between the house and the road not including the driveway.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLES/BOATS IN THE DRIVEWAY
Recreational vehicles, such as motorhomes, travel trailers, and boats, are not allowed to be stored, parked, or maintained in the driveway, except under specific conditions within the Rowland Heights Community Standards Districts.
Commercial Vehicle Storage
Commercial vehicles are not allowed to be parked, stored or maintained on residential or agricultural properties.
Inoperative Vehicles
An inoperative vehicle needs a repair to be started and/or driven. Examples of inoperative vehicles are vehicles that need a jump star or have flat/missing tires, broken/missing headlights/taillights, and/or broken/missing windshields. Inoperative vehicles are not allowed to be stored and/or parked on the property.
OCCUPIED RECREATIONAL VEHICLES/TRAILERS
Living in a recreational vehicle or trailer for any length of time on a property is generally not allowed, except with approvals for emergency temporary housing following a disaster (e.g., the Woolsey Fire Disaster, etc.), in a permitted RV Park, or related to LA County Planning’s Interim and Supportive Housing Ordinance, which are also subject to other County Department approvals.
Yard Sales
Yard sales are only permitted on the last full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of each month. Two additional weekends may be permitted with FREE registration. No yard sales are allowed Monday through Friday. The items allowed to be sold at a yard sale must be limited to secondhand, household or personal items owned by the property owner(s) or tenant(s) of the residence having the yard sale. The sale of new items or merchandise is not allowed. Sales must be within the front and side yard areas of a residence. Please see Yard Sale Flyer for more details.
Auto Repair
Automobile repair activities such as dismantling, body & fender repair, painting, engine overhaul, transmission repair, battery, brakes, muffler, or radiator installation, and upholstering are not permitted in Residential and Agricultural Zones and outside of an enclosed structure in Commercial and Industrial zones.
Business Signage
There are many specific requirements regarding the placement of business signs such as wall business signs, roof signs, and poles signs in commercial and industrial zones. Temporary signage such as banners and portable signs are not permitted.
OUTSIDE DISPLAY AND/OR SALES
Merchandise displayed and sold outside of an enclosed building is not allowed. Temporary outside display or sales of goods may be allowed with a Special Events Permit.
Junk and Salvage
Storing items classified as junk and salvage material on commercial, residential and agricultural properties is not allowed. “Junk and salvage” is defined in the Zoning Code as “Any old, secondhand, or scrap ferrous and nonferrous metals, paper and paper products, cloth and clothing, wood and wood products, manufactured rubber products, rope, manufactured plastic products, paint, manufactured clay and porcelain products, furniture, including mattresses, trash, and similar materials, and shall include dismantled machinery, equipment, and parts.
Outside STorage
Storing items outside of an enclosed structure is not allowed. “Outdoor storage” is defined in the Zoning Code as “the storage of goods, equipment, or materials outside of a building for any purpose other than outdoor display.”
Vacant Land
Vacant land must be clear of any storage materials, vehicles, and structures until a primary use (e.g., house, business, storage yard etc.) that has approvals from LA County Planning or other County agency has been established. Living on vacant land is not allowed.
OAK TREE ENCROACHMENT/REMOVAL
Oak trees are a protected tree species. Encroachment into the protected zone of an oak tree, as well as damage to and/or removal of an oak tree without LA County Planning approval is generally not allowed. The protected zone of an oak tree is measured 15 feet from the trunk, or five (5) feet from the dripline (canopy), whichever is greater. Please see Oak Tree Care Flyer to learn about how to care for your oak tree.
This is a partial list of common violation types. If you have any specific inquiry regarding a possible zoning violation, please call Zoning Enforcement at (213) 974-6453 or (213) 974-6483. If you require reasonable accommodations or materials in an alternative format, please contact the ADA Coordinator at (213) 974-6488 (Voice) or (213) 617-2292 (TDD), with at least three business days’ notice. Please let us know if you require translation services.
