El Monte, CA

El Monte falls under the jurisdiction of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), which enforces mandatory no-burn day restrictions under Rule 445. On declared no-burn days during the winter wood-burning season (typically November through February), all wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves, fire pits, and chimineas are prohibited throughout the South Coast Air Basin, including all of El Monte. Gas and propane appliances remain exempt. Open burning of yard waste and vegetative debris is permanently prohibited in El Monte under SCAQMD Rule 444.

El Monte regulates backyard fires through the California Fire Code (adopted with local amendments) and SCAQMD air quality rules. Recreational fires for cooking, warmth, or ceremonial purposes are permitted when confined to an approved fire pit or fireplace with a maximum fuel area of 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. All backyard fires must maintain at least 10 feet of clearance from structures, and a means of extinguishment must be immediately available. Wood-burning fires are prohibited on SCAQMD no-burn days, and open burning of trash or debris is prohibited at all times.

El Monte regulates fire pits under the California Fire Code adopted with local amendments. Portable and permanent fire pits are permitted in residential backyards subject to clearance, containment, and supervision requirements. Gas-fueled fire pits (propane or natural gas) are preferred and are generally exempt from SCAQMD no-burn day restrictions. Wood-burning fire pits must comply with seasonal burn restrictions and maintain the standard 10-foot clearance from all structures. Permanent built-in fire pit installations may require a building permit.

El Monte regulates on-street parking through its Municipal Code and the California Vehicle Code as locally adopted. Vehicles parked on public streets may not remain in the same location for more than 72 consecutive hours without being moved. Overnight parking restrictions apply in certain residential areas between 2 AM and 6 AM where posted. Street sweeping regulations require vehicles to be moved on designated days, and violations result in citations issued by the El Monte Police Department's parking enforcement division.

El Monte restricts the parking and storage of recreational vehicles, boats, trailers, and other oversized vehicles on public streets and in residential areas. RVs, boats on trailers, and similar oversized vehicles may not be parked on public streets for more than 72 hours and are prohibited from overnight street parking in restricted zones. On private residential property, RVs and boats must be stored in side or rear yards behind the front building setback line, must be on an improved surface, and may not be used as living quarters.

El Monte regulates driveway parking to ensure vehicles do not obstruct sidewalks, block access to garages, or encroach on the public right-of-way. Vehicles parked in residential driveways must be entirely on the private property side of the sidewalk and may not extend over the sidewalk or into the street. Parking on unpaved front yard areas is prohibited; vehicles must be on approved hard surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, or pavers. Blocking a sidewalk with a parked vehicle is a violation of both city code and California Vehicle Code Section 22500.

El Monte restricts the parking of commercial vehicles in residential zones to preserve neighborhood character and reduce traffic impacts. Vehicles exceeding 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or displaying prominent commercial signage, equipment racks, or cargo attachments are generally prohibited from parking on residential streets and in residential driveways. Smaller commercial vehicles such as passenger vans and pickup trucks used for business purposes may park in residential areas if they meet size and weight restrictions. Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and heavy equipment are prohibited in all residential zones.

El Monte's zoning code establishes maximum fence and wall heights based on location relative to the property's building setback lines. In residential zones, fences in the front yard setback area are limited to a maximum of 42 inches (3.5 feet). Side and rear yard fences may be up to 6 feet in height. Fences on corner lots must comply with sight-distance triangle requirements at intersections. Decorative elements such as lattice or arbors may add up to 12 inches above the base fence height in rear and side yards only.

El Monte requires building permits for certain types of fence and wall construction. Standard wood, vinyl, or chain link fences up to 6 feet in height generally do not require a building permit, though they must comply with zoning setback and height standards. Masonry block walls, retaining walls over 4 feet in height (including surcharge), and fences exceeding the standard height limits require a building permit from the Building and Safety Division. All fences must comply with El Monte's zoning code for height, setback, and material standards regardless of permit requirements.

Shared boundary fences between neighboring properties in El Monte are governed by California Civil Code Section 841, known as the Good Neighbor Fence Act of 2013. Under this state law, adjoining landowners are presumed to share equally in the responsibility to maintain a reasonable boundary fence between their properties. The law applies to all residential properties in El Monte and provides a structured notice process for requesting fence repairs or replacement from a neighbor. El Monte's local zoning code governs the physical specifications (height, materials, setbacks) while state law governs cost-sharing obligations.

El Monte requires all dogs to be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet when on any public street, sidewalk, park, or other public area. Dogs must be under the control of a responsible person at all times when off the owner's property. El Monte contracts with the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society for animal control services. All dogs over the age of four months must be licensed with the city and vaccinated against rabies. Violations of the leash law are enforced through citations and may result in impoundment of the animal.

El Monte regulates the keeping of chickens, roosters, and livestock through its municipal code and zoning ordinance. Hens are permitted on residential lots that meet minimum lot-size requirements, but roosters are prohibited in most residential zones due to noise concerns. Larger livestock such as horses, goats, and cattle are restricted to properties zoned for agricultural or equestrian use, or to residential lots exceeding 20,000 square feet in certain zones. All animal enclosures must meet setback requirements and be maintained in a sanitary condition to avoid nuisance violations.

El Monte does not impose breed-specific restrictions on dog ownership. California state law (Food and Agriculture Code Section 31683) preempts cities and counties from enacting breed-specific legislation that bans or restricts dogs based solely on breed. This means El Monte cannot prohibit residents from owning pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, or any other breed. Instead, El Monte enforces breed-neutral dangerous dog and vicious dog provisions that focus on individual animal behavior rather than breed classification.

El Monte regulates the trimming, pruning, and removal of trees on both public rights-of-way and private property. Street trees and parkway trees are maintained by the city's Public Works Department, and residents are prohibited from trimming, removing, or damaging any public tree without prior authorization. Trees on private property may generally be trimmed by the property owner, but removal of significant or protected trees may require a permit from the Community and Economic Development Department. The city encourages proper arboricultural practices and drought-tolerant tree species consistent with its San Gabriel Valley climate.

El Monte requires property owners to maintain lawns and landscaped areas in a neat and orderly condition as part of its property maintenance and nuisance abatement regulations. Grass and vegetation on residential and commercial properties must not be allowed to grow to excessive heights that create fire hazards, harbor vermin, or detract from the appearance of the neighborhood. The city enforces a maximum grass height of 12 inches, after which the overgrowth is considered a public nuisance subject to abatement. El Monte's code enforcement division conducts regular sweeps and responds to resident complaints regarding unmaintained properties.

El Monte enforces a strict weed abatement program as part of its broader property maintenance and fire prevention efforts. The city declares weeds, rubbish, and dead vegetation on private property to be a public nuisance and seasonal fire hazard. Property owners are required to clear all weeds and combustible vegetation by June 1 each year as part of the annual weed abatement cycle, and to maintain their properties in a weed-free condition throughout the fire season. The program is coordinated with the LA County Fire Department's hazard reduction requirements for the San Gabriel Valley region.

El Monte's zoning code permits home-based businesses in residential zones subject to a set of conditions designed to preserve the residential character of neighborhoods. Home occupations must be clearly incidental and secondary to the residential use of the dwelling and must not alter the external appearance of the home. A business license from the city is required before operating any home-based business. The regulations limit the types of activities, number of employees, and percentage of floor space that may be devoted to the business, and they prohibit manufacturing, warehousing, and retail sales from residential properties.

El Monte prohibits exterior signage for home-based businesses in residential zones as part of its home occupation regulations. The zoning code requires that home occupations not alter the residential appearance of the dwelling, and commercial signage on residential property is considered incompatible with this requirement. This includes permanent signs, temporary banners, window signs visible from the street, vehicle-mounted advertising parked at the residence, and any form of exterior advertising that identifies the property as a place of business. The restriction is designed to preserve the visual character of El Monte's residential neighborhoods.

El Monte strictly limits customer and client traffic at home-based businesses in residential zones. The city's home occupation regulations prohibit retail walk-in sales and significantly restrict the volume of clients or customers visiting the home for business purposes. Home occupations must not generate vehicular or pedestrian traffic substantially in excess of what is normal for the residential neighborhood. The intent is to prevent parking congestion, noise, and commercial activity patterns that would diminish the residential character of the area and negatively impact neighboring residents.

El Monte Municipal Code Chapter 8.36 establishes quiet hours during which noise that disturbs the peace of neighbors is subject to enforcement. Designated quiet hours run from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM on weekdays and from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM on weekends and holidays. During these periods, amplified music, loud gatherings, barking dogs, and other disturbances that are audible beyond the property boundary may result in citations. Daytime noise must also remain reasonable and not create a nuisance for surrounding residents.

El Monte restricts construction activity in or adjacent to residential zones to specific daytime hours. Construction, demolition, excavation, and grading are permitted Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Construction is prohibited on Sundays and city-recognized holidays. Emergency repairs and public infrastructure projects may be exempt from these restrictions with appropriate authorization.

El Monte Municipal Code Chapter 8.36 sets exterior noise standards by land use zone. Residential zones carry a limit of 55 dBA during daytime hours (7:00 AM to 10:00 PM) and 45 dBA during nighttime hours (10:00 PM to 7:00 AM). Commercial zones are permitted up to 65 dBA at all hours, and industrial zones up to 70 dBA. Fixed mechanical equipment such as HVAC units, pumps, and generators must not cause the noise level at the receiving property line to exceed the applicable limit.

El Monte regulates outdoor music and amplified sound under its general noise ordinance in Chapter 8.36 of the Municipal Code. Amplified music, loudspeakers, and sound-reproducing devices that create noise audible beyond the property line of the source parcel may constitute a nuisance violation. During quiet hours (10:00 PM to 7:00 AM weekdays, 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM weekends), any audible amplified sound at a neighboring property is subject to enforcement. Public events with amplified sound require a Special Event Permit from the city.

El Monte does not permit short-term rentals in residential zones and has no STR permit or licensing program. The city's zoning code (Title 17) does not list short-term rentals as a permitted, conditionally permitted, or accessory use in any residential zoning district. Properties may only be rented for periods of 30 consecutive days or longer. There is no pathway for homeowners to obtain a permit to operate an Airbnb, VRBO, or similar short-stay rental in a residential area.

El Monte has no short-term rental registration, licensing, or host certification program for residential properties. Because STRs are prohibited in all residential zones, the city has not created a registration framework. There is no online portal, no annual registration fee, and no TOT collection mechanism for residential hosts. Listings discovered on platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO are subject to code enforcement action rather than an invitation to register.

El Monte does not operate a night-cap or annual-limit short-term rental program. Because short-term rentals are outright prohibited in all residential zones under the zoning code, there is no framework for annual night limits, hosted-only allowances, or seasonal exceptions. Unlike Los Angeles (which allows 120 nights per year for primary residences) or other San Gabriel Valley cities that regulate STRs, El Monte's position is a complete prohibition with zero nights permitted.