Deck Builderin Lomita, CA
A deck builder in Lomita starts by asking which side of Pacific Coast Highway the lot is on: south of it, anything over 16 feet above natural grade needs a Height Variation Permit with a silhouette and neighbor notice. Everywhere, the state exemption covers only decks of 200 square feet or less, under 30 inches and detached.
Lomita is a 1.87 square mile city cut in two by Pacific Coast Highway. North of the highway, the Housing Element says, large lots went up from the 1940s through the 1960s. South of it, uniform subdivisions arrived in the 1970s and 1980s, and that is where the City protects views. Census estimates for 2020 to 2024 count 7,904 homes, half of them single-family detached (3,965), plus 544 mobile homes and 2,068 homes in buildings of five or more units.
MDG Builders, CSLB #1040337, is a Tarzana general contractor. We draw the deck, take the zoning and permit questions to Building and Safety and Planning and hire a licensed carpentry subcontractor to build it. Materials and ranges are on the decks page, and the Lomita overview shows the other trades we run here.
What Lomita's Building and Safety Division, Zoning Code and Municipal Code say about decks
Where decks permits come from in Lomita: City of Lomita Community and Economic Development Department, Building and Safety Division and Planning Division.
- The state list of permit-exempt work in Residential Code R105.2 (the 2025 text, as excerpted by the City of Albany) exempts decks not over 200 square feet, not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to a dwelling and not serving the required exit door. Anything attached, higher or larger needs a permit, and Lomita's setback rules still apply; the County's amendments were not read.
- Lomita's accessory-structure rule (section 11-1.30.06) caps accessory buildings and structures at 50 percent of the required rear yard, but pools, spas, ground-mounted equipment, patio slabs and on-grade decks are excluded; structures above grade follow the projection limits (5 feet for decks and landings, 10 feet for lattice and covered porches) in section 11-1.30.05.
Sources for these rules
Can you build a raised or second-story deck south of Pacific Coast Highway in Lomita?
Only through a view review if it rises past 16 feet. Residential lots south of the highway are limited to 16 feet and one story, excluding basement, unless a Height Variation Permit is granted. Section 11-1.70.11 applies to a new structure or addition over 16 feet from natural grade and asks for signatures or certified-mail receipts from immediately adjacent owners and a built silhouette of the proposal.
The City then notifies owners within 300 feet, and objections are due within 14 days. A Planning Commission hearing follows if the director finds a significant view blocked or 5 percent or more of those notified object. The City's fee schedule lists the permit, and we do not print amounts because the schedule may not match current practice.
A low deck on the ground is a different matter, and the process matters mainly to platforms, roof decks and decks on tall posts. Planning decides whether a particular design is a structure over 16 feet, so take the address and a section drawing to the duty planner at (310) 325-7110 ext. 103 before designing around a view.
Can you build a deck without a permit in California, and does Lomita follow that rule?
Only a small, low, free-standing one. The state list of permit-exempt work, as the City of Albany reprints the 2025 residential code at R105.2, covers a deck of 200 square feet or less, not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to a dwelling and not serving the required exit door. Anything attached, higher or larger needs a permit, and zoning limits apply either way.
Lomita adopts the County's Title 30 by reference (Municipal Code section 10-7.01) and we did not read the County's amendments, so confirm the threshold. Who issues the permit also needs a call: the Building and Safety page says the City now handles plan check, permits and inspections through the GeoCivix portal, while the Planning page still routes by-right permits through LA County. The counter number is (310) 304-3788.
The City's text comes from the GoCodebook mirror, because Municode itself needs JavaScript to read. Building without a permit has a second cost at sale, covered further down.
- Is the deck 200 square feet or less?
- Is it 30 inches or lower above grade everywhere?
- Is it detached and away from the exit door?
How far can a deck reach into a Lomita yard?
Five feet for a raised deck, and ten for a lattice porch. Section 11-1.30.05 lets decks, balconies, open stairways and landings above grade project up to 5 feet into the front, rear and corner side setbacks if the floor is at least 6 feet below the zone's height limit and access comes from interior living space. Lattice and covered unenclosed porches attached to the house may project up to 10 feet into front and rear setbacks.
The yards behind those projections are the same across the R-1, R-2, R-3 and A-1 zones: a 20 foot front yard, a 20 foot rear yard and a 5 foot side yard, where the side setback is 10 percent of lot width but not under 3 feet or over 5 feet. Lots hold a 27 foot height limit, 35 feet in R-3, and R-1 and A-1 lots carry a floor area ratio of 0.60.
Ordinance No. 891 rewrote this table on June 16, 2026, so any handout with an older section number may be out of date.
How do Lomita's accessory structure rules treat a pergola, patio cover or separate deck?
A detached structure has its own ceiling. Accessory structures on R-1 and A-1 lots are limited to 16 feet and one story and 750 square feet combined, with pools, spas, trellis or lattice patios and existing garages left out of the count. They need 3 foot rear and side setbacks, and no accessory structure may have a kitchen, bathroom, permanent dividing wall or drain pipe larger than 2 inches, though outdoor kitchens are excepted.
Section 11-1.30.06 also caps accessory buildings and structures at 50 percent of the required rear yard, but pools, spas, ground-mounted equipment, patio slabs and on-grade decks are excluded from that count. Pool and spa equipment must stay 3 feet from interior lot lines, 10 feet from a secondary front line and out of the front yard.
Between buildings the code asks for 6 feet, with eaves no closer than 3 feet, so a pergola added near the garage may need to move.
How high must a deck railing be in Lomita, and what about a pool deck?
Plan on 42 inches. The 2022 California Residential Code, on ICC's site, requires a guard where the walking surface is more than 30 inches above grade within 36 inches of the edge (R312.1.1), sets the height at 42 inches (R312.1.2) and stops a 4 inch sphere from passing through any opening (R312.1.3). Lomita adopts the 2025 edition through the County, so ask whether those numbers changed.
Pool decks have a second layer. Section 3-8.03 requires any pool, fish pond or body of water 21 inches or more deep to be enclosed by a fence at least 6 feet above the ground including gates, with self-latching gates whose latch sits at least 4.5 feet up and 6 feet of clearance from the face of an upward slope on the far side. Section 3-8.02 makes the contractor who builds a new private pool put up the safety sign.
Do you need a permit for deck repair in Lomita, and what are termites doing to old decks?
Swapping worn boards in place is the simple case, but we found no Lomita sentence that says it is exempt, so ask. Rebuilding framing, a ledger, stairs or guards sits closer to new construction. The 2022 residential code, section R507.9.1.1, calls for a ledger of at least 2 by 8 pressure-treated lumber, with no concentrated loads from beams or girders and never fastened to masonry veneer, and R507.9.2 requires lateral hold-downs: two devices of 1,500 pounds within 24 inches of each end, or four of 750 pounds.
Wood has an enemy in southern California. UC's pest management guidance names drywood termites as the most common type here, working into decks and fences, and recommends fixing moisture problems and sealing exposed wood.
A permit history helps at sale. Section 11-1.59.03 requires the seller to obtain a City residential property report within three business days of signing, and the inspector notes apparent unpermitted construction, which must be corrected within 90 days at most. Footings carry one more local duty: section 4-2.33 requires abandoned oil or water wells to be capped or filled, so a post hole that finds pipe or a void should stop work.
What does a deck builder charge in Lomita, wood or composite?
No Lomita price study turned up, so the anchor is Remodeling magazine's 2025 Cost vs. Value report for Los Angeles. Its 16 by 20 foot deck with bench, planter, three steps and full railing costs $18,419 in treated wood and returns 99.6 percent at resale, against $26,872 in composite and 73.9 percent. Angi's Los Angeles deck page, updated in October 2025, lists an average of $13,570 and a spread from $6,335 to $20,871. The two sources roughly agree on wood and split on composite, which we rate medium to low.
Our planning ranges are about $45 to $75 per square foot for treated wood and $65 to $110 for composite, which puts a 16 by 20 deck near $14,500 to $24,000 and $21,000 to $35,000, with permits and engineering extra. Federal wage data for May 2025 put carpenters in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area at a mean $37.79 an hour.
The City's own fire guidance says no fire hazard zone lies inside Lomita, and the State Fire Marshal's 2025 map shows small Moderate and High patches along the southeast edge near Palos Verdes Drive North and Western Avenue, read from an image, so check the parcel before choosing decking. CSLB's C-5 framing class covers framing and rough carpentry, and our license check guide shows how to look one up.
Deck photos from Lomita and nearby communities
Footings, framing, railings and finished decks from Lomita and the South Bay, shown at the stages that matter. Tap any photo to enlarge it.
What decks costs around Lomita
These dollar figures are Los Angeles planning ranges and not a Lomita bid, and a proposal should show permits, engineering and any view-review process on separate lines. On the same property, see flooring in Lomita and concrete work in Lomita. Neighboring cities: decks in Torrance, deck building in Redondo Beach, decks in Rancho Palos Verdes and decks in Los Angeles.
| What it covers | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood deck | $45 to $75 per square foot |
| Composite deck | $65 to $110 per square foot |
| 16 by 20 foot wood deck (320 sq ft) | About $14,500 to $24,000 |
| 16 by 20 foot composite deck | About $21,000 to $35,000 |
| Hillside, second-story, rooftop and ipe decks | Priced by site visit |
| Permits and engineering | Quoted as separate lines |
Lomita deck questions, answered
Can I build a deck without a permit in California, and in Lomita?
Only a small free-standing one: 200 square feet or less, no more than 30 inches above grade, not attached to a house and not serving the exit door, according to the state model list. Lomita adopts County amendments we did not read, so call Building and Safety at (310) 304-3788 first.
What is the largest deck without a permit in Lomita?
The state model list sets 200 square feet, provided the deck stays within 30 inches of grade everywhere, stands free of the house and is not the required exit landing. A larger or attached deck needs a permit. Lomita's own thresholds were not confirmed, so ask before assuming the model applies.
How much should a 16x20 deck cost in Lomita?
In the 2025 Cost vs. Value report from Remodeling magazine, a Los Angeles deck of 16 by 20 feet with bench, planter, steps and railing costs $18,419 in wood and $26,872 in composite. Angi's Los Angeles average is $13,570. No Lomita study turned up, so the price comes from a site visit.
How much would a 20x20 deck cost in Lomita?
At our planning range of $45 to $75 per square foot for treated wood, 400 square feet comes to roughly $18,000 to $30,000, and composite at $65 to $110 comes to $26,000 to $44,000. Those multiply Los Angeles ranges, and permits and engineering are extra.
Is it cheaper to build a wood deck or composite deck in Lomita?
Wood costs less to build. The Los Angeles Cost vs. Value data shows $18,419 for wood against $26,872 for composite, with 99.6 percent recouped against 73.9 percent. Composite saves staining later, while wood is exposed to termites and rot, so weigh upkeep as well as the first price.
Is railing height 36 or 42 inches for decks in Lomita?
Plan on 42 inches, the minimum in the model residential code, which wants a guard once the walking surface rises more than 30 inches above grade and bars any opening that lets a 4 inch sphere through. Because Lomita adopts the 2025 edition through the County, the inspector can say which wording governs.
Do I need a permit for deck repair in Lomita?
Replacing worn boards in place is likely the easy case, yet no Lomita sentence we read confirms it. New framing, a new ledger, stairs or guards point toward a permit, and so does any attached deck. Ask the counter first, since unpermitted work can show up on the sale report.
What happens if a deck is built without a permit in Lomita?
It can surface at sale. The City requires a residential property report within three business days of signing a sale agreement, the inspector notes apparent unpermitted construction, and violations must be corrected within 90 days at most. We found no published penalty amounts, so ask the counter what a late permit requires.
Can I build a roof deck or second-story deck in Lomita?
Yes in principle, within limits. North of Pacific Coast Highway the height limit is 27 feet. South of it, lots are held to 16 feet and one story unless a Height Variation Permit is granted with a silhouette and neighbor notice. A raised deck's floor must also sit at least 6 feet below the zone limit.
What license does a deck builder need in Lomita?
Framing and rough carpentry fall under CSLB's C-5 class, and a general building contractor can take a carpentry job. Work that needs a permit must go to a licensed contractor even under $1,000. Look the number up on the CSLB site before signing, and ask each subcontractor for theirs.
Tell us the size, the height and which side of PCH you are on
Share the rough size, how high the deck sits above the ground, whether it touches the house and whether the lot is north or south of Pacific Coast Highway. The view, yard and permit questions come with us to the first visit.