• Garages, sheds, patio covers, and arbors that are over 120 square feet or are attached to a building are considered accessory structures and require a building permit. If the structure is under 120 square feet and detached from a building, a permit is not required. Any electrical or plumbing work associated with the structure will also require a permit. For more information, please see the Accessory Structure Guidelines. 

• Regardless of the need for a permit, the structure will need to meet the required setbacks to the property line and from the house. 

• Trees
  • The City’s Tree Preservation Ordinance (LMC Chapter 12.20) protects trees around the City and encourages a denser urban forest.  
  • While property owners are responsible for maintaining their own trees, a Tree Action Permit is required through the Public Works Department for structural pruning on a protected tree. A Planning General Application must also be filed with the Planning Division. The City of Livermore’s tree handout provides information on the removal of trees as well as which trees are considered protected. Visit the Landscape Maintenance page to learn more about tree maintenance in the city.  
• Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
  • The Livermore Municipal Code establishes standards for designing, installing, and maintaining water efficient landscapes that avoid runoff and other water waste in landscape projects. For more information, please see the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance handout. Additionally, there is a Water Efficient Landscape Design Review Intake Form for submitting design plans to the City.  
• Landscape in Residential Front Yards
  • For information on landscaping requirements in front yards, please refer to page 145 of the City’s Design Standards and Guidelines, and Section 4.02.020 (C) of the Livermore Development Code.  
• South Livermore Valley Specific Plan
  • Driveways in the SLVSP must be 10 feet in width or less. 
• Landscape Strips
  • Landscape strips in front of each residential property must be maintained by the homeowner and cannot be modified without City approval.  

• Home-based businesses or “Home Occupations” are permitted within the City of Livermore and are governed under the regulations within Livermore Development Code (LDC) Section 6.02.060 and Chapter 9.05. In addition to approval by the Community Development Department, certain types of home occupations may require approval from other City departments such as the Livermore Pleasanton Fire Department or other agencies such as the Alameda County Environmental Health Department or the State of California. 
• Home Occupation Permits require an annual renewal approved by the City. 
• Please see the Business License webpage for more details. 
• Please see the Home Occupation Permit Application Information and Helpful Hints for more information. These permits are required for the majority of home businesses. Exceptions include: 

  • A legal live/work facility  

  • A small and large family day care homes for fourteen or fewer children operated in compliance with state law and Livermore Development Code section 6.02.020 (Child Day Care Facilities)  

  • Home occupations that do not see clients at the residence or have employees other than the household member occupying the residence. Exempt home occupations are subject to locational, developmental, and operational standards outlined in the Livermore Municipal Code.

• Additionally, there are prohibited uses such as adult businesses, animal hospitals, personal services (on-site massage, tattoo, body piercing), small engine repairs, as well as others as listed in subsection L of Section 6.02.060 in the Livermore Development Code.  
• A Cottage Food Operation (CFO) permit is required for any home food or catering business which is handling or preparing food.   

• Business License

  • Looking to apply, pay, renew or close your business license? There is general information provided on the business license page of the City’s website.  

  • Please call the Livermore Police Dept. at (925) 371-4900 for additional requirements for the following businesses: Day Spa, Massage, Solicitor, Dance, Card Room and Taxi. 

• Tobacco 
  • In Livermore, the sale of flavored tobacco, electronic smoking devices, and fluid are prohibited. The sale of permitted tobacco products requires a Tobacco Retailer’s license. For general information, please see the Tobacco Retailer License FAQ sheet.  

• Alcohol
  • The sale of alcohol requires a permit from the Alcoholic Beverage Department run by the state of California. Information on licenses and the application process can be found on the Alcoholic Beverage Control Website.  

• Cannabis
  • Presently, medical and recreational cannabis dispensaries, commercial cultivation, and manufacturing of cannabis products are not allowed within city limits. Individuals who are 21 years and older may grow up to six recreational cannabis plants for personal use within a private residence. For more information, visit the City of Livermore’s Medical Cannabis page or Medical Cannabis FAQ page.  

• Food Handling 
  • Any restaurant or business that handles food requires a Food Handlers Permit for all employees. Additional information specific to restaurants can be found through CAGold.  

• Massage 
  • Prior to checking zoning, contact Livermore Police Department at (925) 371-4900 to confirm whether or not additional permits are needed.  

A Special Event Permit shall be obtained before conducting athletic events, parades, and public assemblies which occur on or within the public right-of-way or other publicly owned property, in compliance with LMC Section 12.45.120 (Permit required). 

For information on Temporary Use Permits and Block Parties, please visit the Special Events Page. 

Block Party Application

• This permit allows neighbors to block off a section of the street in their neighborhood to have a party. The application requires an approval signature from all residents within the block party area. 

Temporary Use Permit

• On or within Commercial or Industrial private property: 
  • Short term activities or temporary uses are allowed on private property, subject to the issuance of a Temporary Use Permit, and only when conducted in compliance with Section 9.09.090. 
  • Entertainment events: Amusement rides, arts and crafts exhibits, auctions, carnivals, circuses, concerts, fairs, festivals, flea markets, food events, outdoor entertainment/sporting events, and other similar events as determined by the Director for a period not to exceed 10 days twice per year, separated by at least 30 days between uses. These events shall be conducted at least 200 feet away from any residence. 

Effective July 1, 2023, temporary signs are not permitted in the designated public right of way, and are not permitted in the street, street median, or sidewalk, in residential, commercial, or industrial zones, other than the Downtown Specific Plan and as specified in LDC 4.06.060 and 4.06.140. For more information, visit the Temporary Signs webpage.   

Residential

• Temporary signs placed on private properties in residential zoning districts must meet the following requirements: 
  • Cannot be in the public right-of-way (generally 10ft from the curb) 
  • Maximum size of four-square feet per sign 
  • Signs must be staking signs 
  • No limit to number of signs 

Commercial

• Temporary signs in commercial zoning districts still require a temporary sign permit from the Planning Division. 
• Permanent signs require sign approval from the Planning Division as well as a building permit. To learn more about permanent sign approval, please see the sign approval handout. A Master Sign Program is often used for projects that involve multiple buildings or multiple tenants and results in a quicker approval of individual signs in the project. 

Generally, a parcel’s allowed density can be found by obtaining the site’s General Plan designation in the City’s Geographic Information System, and by cross referencing the correct General Plan designation standards. 

New state laws like SB9 have impacted allowed densities, as described in the FAQ below.  

Once an application and fees are submitted, the application will be uploaded into our online data base. It will then be assigned to a Planner, sent to appropriate departments for comments, and a response to the applicant will be received within 30 days.  

• The application may need to be revised and resubmitted to address the comments, or it may be able to be approved and returned with Conditions of Approval.  
• In addition to a completeness review, the application may also go through environmental and design review.
• The project may be required to be heard at a noticed Planning Commission and/or City Council public hearing. 

Setbacks describe the required distance a structure must be from the rear, sides, and front of the property line. Setbacks differ depending on the zone, which can be determined by looking at the City of Livermore zoning map. Section 3 of the Livermore Development Code provides information specific to each zone, including setback requirements.  

Accessory Structures and ADUs must also follow setback requirements, which can be found in the accessory structure guidelines and ADU handout.  

If you live in a Planned Development (PD) or Planned Unit Development (PUD), contact a planner for information on your setbacks.