Compton, CA

Compton enforces weed abatement through both its municipal nuisance code and the Los Angeles County Fire Department's annual weed abatement program. Property owners are required to remove all weeds, dead vegetation, and combustible plant material from their properties to prevent fire hazards, rodent harborage, and neighborhood blight. The LA County Fire Department issues annual weed abatement notices to properties identified as having excessive vegetation growth, and properties that are not cleared by the deadline are abated by county contractors with costs assessed against the property.

Compton regulates tree trimming and removal through its municipal code and the city's Public Works Department tree management program. Property owners are responsible for maintaining trees on their private property in a safe and healthy condition, including trimming branches that overhang public sidewalks or obstruct traffic sight lines. Street trees located in the public right-of-way are managed by the city, and residents may not trim, remove, or damage street trees without prior authorization from Compton Public Works. Removal of significant trees on private property may require review depending on the circumstances.

Compton Municipal Code Chapter 9-4 and the city's property maintenance standards require that all residential and commercial properties maintain lawns and vegetation in a neat, trimmed condition. Grass and weeds that exceed 12 inches in height constitute a public nuisance subject to abatement. The city actively enforces vegetation height standards through its Code Enforcement Division, which conducts regular sweeps and responds to neighbor complaints. Compton's enforcement approach is particularly proactive given the city's ongoing neighborhood revitalization efforts.

Compton's zoning ordinance permits home-based businesses in residential zones as accessory uses, provided they comply with home occupation standards designed to preserve the residential character of neighborhoods. Home occupations must remain secondary to the primary residential use of the property, conducted entirely indoors, and must not generate visible evidence of commercial activity from the street. A valid City of Compton business license is required for all home occupations. The business must be operated by a resident of the dwelling and may employ a limited number of non-resident workers.

Compton prohibits all exterior signage for home-based businesses operating under the city's home occupation standards. No business signs, banners, flags, window displays, or other visible commercial indicators may be placed on or around a residential property operating a home occupation. This prohibition extends to illuminated signs, temporary signs, A-frame signs on sidewalks, and magnetic or adhesive vehicle signs on cars parked in driveways or on the street in front of the home. The restriction is designed to preserve the residential character of neighborhoods and prevent visual commercial encroachment.

Compton's home occupation standards strictly limit customer and client traffic to residential properties operating home-based businesses. The regulations are designed to prevent home businesses from generating foot traffic, vehicle traffic, and parking demand that would be inconsistent with a residential neighborhood. Businesses that require regular visits by customers, clients, or patients are generally incompatible with Compton's home occupation standards. Only incidental, appointment-based visits by a very limited number of clients are tolerated, and the overall pattern of activity must not disrupt the residential character of the street.

Compton Municipal Code Article 10 of Title 9 establishes quiet hours during which unnecessary noise that disturbs the peace, comfort, or repose of residents is prohibited. Nighttime quiet hours run from 10 PM to 7 AM on weekdays and 10 PM to 8 AM on weekends and holidays. During these hours, any noise audible beyond the property line of a residential dwelling that disrupts sleep or normal activities is considered a violation. The ordinance applies broadly to amplified music, parties, vehicle repair, barking dogs, and other common neighborhood noise sources.

Compton restricts construction activity in or adjacent to residential zones to specific daytime hours. Construction, demolition, excavation, and building repair work are permitted Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 7 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Construction is prohibited on Sundays and city-observed holidays. Emergency repairs and public works projects may be exempt with prior authorization from the city. The restrictions apply to all types of construction noise including power tools, heavy equipment, hammering, and delivery trucks.

Compton Municipal Code Article 10 establishes exterior noise standards by zoning district. Residential zones carry a limit of 55 dBA during daytime hours (7 AM to 10 PM) and 45 dBA during nighttime (10 PM to 7 AM). Commercial zones are held to 65 dBA at all hours, and industrial zones to 70 dBA. Noise from fixed mechanical equipment such as HVAC units, generators, and pool pumps must not cause the receiving property to exceed these thresholds. Measurements are taken at the property line using the A-weighted slow meter response.

Compton's noise ordinance addresses outdoor music and amplified sound through both its quiet-hours provisions and its exterior decibel standards. Operating any radio, stereo, musical instrument, or sound-reproducing device in a manner that disturbs neighbors is prohibited at any hour. After 10 PM, amplified sound audible beyond the property line is treated as a quiet-hours violation. Loudspeakers and public address systems directed toward streets or public areas require a city permit. Large outdoor events with amplified music require a Special Event Permit from the city.

Compton does not issue permits for short-term rentals in residential zones. The city's zoning code (Title 10) does not list short-term rentals as a permitted, conditionally permitted, or accessory use in any residential zoning district. Because no permit pathway exists, operating a short-term rental (fewer than 30 consecutive days) in any residential property is effectively prohibited. Only licensed hotels and motels in commercially zoned areas may legally offer lodging for stays shorter than 30 days. Compton has not adopted a standalone STR ordinance.

Compton has no short-term rental registration, licensing, or certification program for residential properties. Because the zoning code does not recognize short-term rentals as a permitted residential use, there is no registration framework to participate in. Property owners cannot register an STR because the underlying activity is prohibited. Code enforcement monitors listing platforms and issues violations to properties found advertising short-term stays. Only commercially zoned lodging facilities with a valid business license and TOT account are registered for transient occupancy.

Compton does not operate a night-cap or partial-allowance short-term rental program. Because short-term rentals are entirely prohibited in residential zones through the zoning code, there is no framework for annual night limits, hosted-only exceptions, or seasonal allowances. Unlike Los Angeles (which caps home-sharing at 120 nights per year) or other neighboring cities that regulate rather than ban STRs, Compton's position is a complete prohibition with zero nights allowed for residential short-term rental activity.

Backyard open burning is prohibited in Compton under both SCAQMD Rule 444 and the LA County Fire Code, which Compton adopts by reference. Open burning of trash, yard waste, leaves, and construction debris is illegal throughout the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which includes all of LA County. Recreational fires in approved fire pits or outdoor fireplaces are permitted under limited conditions, but burning of waste materials, lumber, or treated wood in any container is not considered a recreational fire and remains prohibited. SCAQMD no-burn alerts further restrict even recreational fires on high-pollution days.

Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces in Compton are regulated under the LA County Fire Code, which the city adopts by reference. Portable and permanent fire pits are permitted in residential backyards when they meet specific size, setback, and fuel requirements. Fire pits must be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, must be located at least 15 feet from any structure or combustible material, and must use only clean dry firewood, natural gas, or propane. All outdoor fire pits are subject to SCAQMD no-burn restrictions on designated high-pollution days.

Compton falls within the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and is subject to mandatory no-burn day orders issued throughout the fall and winter months. On declared no-burn days, all wood-burning in fireplaces, fire pits, chimineas, and outdoor wood-burning devices is prohibited. Open burning of waste, yard debris, trash, and construction materials is prohibited at all times in Compton as a densely urbanized area. Gas and propane appliances are exempt from no-burn orders.

Compton regulates on-street parking through its Municipal Code and posted signage. Vehicles may not be parked on any city street for more than 72 consecutive hours without moving. Abandoned or inoperable vehicles on public streets are subject to citation and towing. The city also enforces street sweeping parking restrictions with posted signs on affected streets throughout the community.

Compton restricts the parking and storage of recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, and campers in residential zones. RVs and boats may not be stored or parked in front yard areas or on the street for extended periods. Vehicles of this type must be stored behind a fence or in an enclosed structure when kept on residential property. The city actively enforces these rules through its Code Enforcement Division.

Compton requires that all residential properties maintain adequate off-street parking and that vehicles are parked only on paved surfaces. Parking on unpaved areas such as front lawns, dirt, or gravel is prohibited. Driveways must provide direct access from the street to required garage or parking spaces and must remain free of permanent obstructions. Vehicles parked in driveways may not block the public sidewalk.

Compton prohibits the parking and storage of commercial vehicles, heavy trucks, and equipment in residential zones. Vehicles exceeding specified weight limits or displaying commercial signage may not be parked on residential streets or in residential driveways overnight. The city enforces truck route restrictions that limit heavy vehicle traffic to designated corridors and prohibit commercial vehicle parking in neighborhoods.

Compton establishes maximum fence and wall heights based on the location on the property and the zoning district. Front yard fences are limited to a maximum of 42 inches (3.5 feet) in residential zones, while side yard and rear yard fences may be up to 6 feet tall. Corner lots have special visibility requirements at intersections. Fences exceeding these height limits require approval from the city's Planning Division.

Compton requires building permits for certain fence and wall construction projects, particularly for block walls and fences exceeding standard height thresholds. Most wood and chain-link fences under 6 feet in height do not require a building permit but must still comply with zoning setback and height regulations. Block walls and masonry fences over 3.5 feet typically require a building permit and structural plans. All fences must comply with both the California Building Code and local zoning standards.

Boundary fences between neighboring properties in Compton are governed by California Civil Code Section 841, commonly known as the Good Neighbor Fence Act. This state law establishes a presumption that adjoining property owners share equally in the costs of constructing, maintaining, and replacing a boundary fence. A property owner who wants to build or replace a boundary fence must provide written notice to the neighbor at least 30 days before starting work. Local Compton fence height and permit requirements still apply.

Compton requires that all dogs be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet when on any public street, sidewalk, park, or other public area. Dogs running at large are subject to impoundment by LA County Animal Care and Control, which provides animal control services for the city. All dogs over the age of four months must be licensed and vaccinated against rabies. The city has no designated off-leash dog parks within its boundaries.

Compton Municipal Code Chapter 10-1 restricts the keeping of livestock, poultry, and farm animals within the city. Given Compton's dense urban character as a south Los Angeles County city of approximately 97,000 residents, the city generally prohibits keeping roosters, horses, goats, pigs, and other large livestock on standard residential lots. Hens may be kept on certain larger residential lots in limited numbers subject to setback, enclosure, and sanitation requirements. All animal keeping must comply with the city's nuisance and public health standards.

Compton does not impose breed-specific restrictions on dog ownership. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 expressly preempts cities and counties from enacting breed-specific bans or restrictions, meaning no municipality in California — including Compton — may prohibit or restrict ownership of dogs based solely on breed. All dog owners in Compton must comply with general licensing, vaccination, leash, and nuisance requirements regardless of breed. Dogs deemed dangerous or vicious are regulated individually based on behavior, not breed classification.