License: No. #1076712
Discover what you can build in the City of Carson. This city guide covers essential Custom Home regulations and zoning laws to help you navigate the process and make informed decisions for your property.
On single-family residential lots in Carson, you may build one Custom Home, either attached or detached, on your property. You can also build up to one JCustom Home into the existing primary residence.
Multifamily property owners in Alhambra may convert at least one Custom Home, and additional Homes not to exceed a maximum number equal to 25% of the existing units out of existing uninhabitable space. Ergo:
No more than two detached Homes may be constructed on a multifamily lot in Carson.
A detached Custom Home can be a maximum of 1,200 square feet in Carson, or up to 60% of the size of the main dwelling unit, whichever is smaller.
In Carson, an attached Homes can be up to 50% of the existing living area of the main dwelling unit, to a maximum of 1,000 square feet.
In Carson, A Custom Home must be a maximum of 16 feet high unless granted a special exemption by the city.
Two-story Homes can be permitted in Carson, but they must follow height requirements. Without a special exemption, Homes are limited to 16 feet. 16 feet is usually too low for two-story buildings, which typically require at least 18 feet.
It is difficult to build “stacked” Homes (a two-story structure with one Custom Home on each floor) in Carson. Residential property can only be permitted for one Custom Home, meaning a second Custom Home to stack on top of the first one will not be permitted. Multifamily property can be permitted for up to two detached Homes, but the standard height limitation of 16 feet for detached Homes usually makes a two-story structure infeasible.
Residential property can only be permitted for one Custom Home, so you will probably not be permitted for two Homes, attached to each other or otherwise. However, multifamily property can be permitted for up to two detached Homes, and it is possible to design those two Homes to be attached to each other within one new structure.
No, a JCustom Home is defined as a small Custom Home converted from existing space within the main structure of the primary dwelling unit. As such, it cannot be attached to A Custom Home.
Generally roof decks would be permitted on A Custom Home, but must meet the height restrictions for the zone. Roof decks cannot encroach into the required setbacks. As a rule of thumb, railings and access staircases above 42″ need to be included in height calculations.
Carson makes no mention of specific requirements for the exterior of the Custom Home. However, general guidance is that the exterior roofing, trim, walls, windows and the color palette of the Custom Home shall incorporate the same features as the primary dwelling unit.
A detached Custom Home in Carson requires a minimum four-foot side and rear setback.
A detached Custom Home in Carson requires a minimum ten feet of separation from any existing structure.
Homes can generally not be permitted in the front yard of a home in Carson.
Yes, the City of Carson requires you submit your Custom Home plans in person to the Carson Planning Division.
California building codes say you need a soils report if your Custom Home project involves:
The Long Beach Community Development division might ask for a soils report even if your project doesn’t fit those exact situations.
The City of Carson requires homes to maintain 50% of their front yards as green space, but since Homes usually cannot be permitted for front yards, this doesn’t affect most Custom Home plans. Carson does not specify strict requirements for green space or permeable hardscapes in backyards, but residents are encouraged to mind green space and make a significant portion of any hardscapes permeable.
To start the plan check process, you’ll need to submit your Custom Home plans in-person to the city’s Planning Division.
The length of the plan check depends. It can take anywhere from 60 to 90 days to get your plans approved as they move from one department to the next. This can depend on how busy the city is, if your plans have any issues, and how many corrections you may have to make.
Carson requires that you add one new parking space to your property per Custom Home. However, several exemptions have been put in place to make it easier to add A Custom Home. You need not add parking when any of the following apply:
If more parking must be added, it can be placed within the required setbacks. Tandem parking is allowed, unless otherwise restricted by special rules.
Most newly constructed Homes must comply with California Title 24 Building and Energy Efficiency Standards. If you submitted your permit application later than January 1, 2020, this means you must provide solar panels on new Homes to offset their reliance on the grid. This does not necessarily mean the solar panels need to be installed on the Custom Home itself. They can be installed on the primary dwelling unit or a new or existing array.
Some exemptions may apply to certain Homes. Possible exemptions include:
No, a separate electric and water meter is not required for A Custom Home. However, you may request one from the city.
Not necessarily. A Custom Home can be permitted under the existing address. If you want your Custom Home to have its own address, you can apply to the Mapping and Property Management Division (MPM) for a “½” address designation. In other words, if your address is 1234 Elm Street, your Custom Home could have a separate address of “1234½ Elm Street.”
Low Impact Development (LID) is an approach to land development or redevelopment that seeks to preserve and conserve onsite water quality and natural features, with minimal detrimental effect to local waterways and ecosystems. The City of Carson may require LID fees for larger Homes.
Operating A Custom Home as an Airbnb or short-term rental is prohibited by the City of Carson.
Any Custom Home built within the last 15 years is exempt from rent control. The City of Carson limits rent increases to 3% per year for older, non-rent-controlled buildings. Newly-constructed Homes are usually exempt.
You can use gas appliances in A Custom Home in the City of Carson as long as all building codes, safety standards, and installation guidelines are adhered to. The proper permits must be obtained, and requirements for safety and ventilation observed.
You are not required to put fire sprinklers in your Custom Home if the main dwelling unit is not required by law to have fire sprinklers.
