Outdoor Living
Fence Rules in Los Angeles: Height Limits and Permits
Most Los Angeles front yards allow fences up to 3½ feet, side and rear yards allow more, and some walls need a building permit. Here is how the rules fit together.
THE AMERICAN HOME MAGAZINE
Outdoor Living
Patios, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, fire-safe yards and backyard ideas for Southern California homes.
Images are design concepts, not completed projects, unless noted.
Outdoor Living
Fire-Resistant Landscaping: Plants and Layout for Southern California Yards
No plant is fireproof, but the right plants, spacing and upkeep make a yard much harder for embers and flames to cross. Here is how to plan one.
Outdoor Living
10 Front Yard Ideas for Southern California Homes That Use Less Water
Ways to give your house more curb appeal with less lawn, from a planted entry path to a small courtyard by the front door, plus what to check before you build.
Outdoor Living
12 Backyard Ideas from Southern California Homes
From outdoor kitchens to plunge pools and fire-smart borders: ideas that work in real yards, and what to check before you build.
Outdoor Living
Zone 0 and Fire-Resistant Homes: What Southern California Homeowners Should Know
The state’s new five-foot rule is not in force yet, but the steps behind it already protect homes and can lower insurance costs.
Cost Guides
Outdoor Living Costs in Los Angeles: 2026 Ranges for Patios, Pergolas and Outdoor Kitchens
What a patio, a shade structure or an outdoor kitchen can cost in Southern California, what moves the price, and when you need a permit.