Los Angeles County HOA Guide
Whittier HOA Guide: Local Rules for Boards and Owners
Whittier has about 85,800 residents, and the Census Bureau puts its owner-occupied rate at 57.9%. Depending on the street, water comes from the city or from one of several other providers, and the city has been working through CAL FIRE’s new fire hazard maps.
This guide collects the city rules a Whittier board runs into most often, and points you to the How2HOA guide that explains what to do about each one.
Local rules on this page were checked against the City of Whittier website, city meeting documents, the state’s CEQA database, the State Water Resources Control Board and U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts on November 2, 2026. The city’s Short-Term Rentals page and its Urban Forest Management Plan page would not open, and neither would the online Whittier Municipal Code, so we could not read the final short-term rental rules, the noise ordinance or the full parking chapter. The city’s water conservation page still describes 2022 state emergency rules, and its fire hazard map page did not show whether the 2025 map has been adopted. The state’s bill page for AB 1572 would not open, so the turf dates come from the State Water Board. Confirm the current rule before you act on it. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
At a glance
HOAs in Whittier at a glance
We did not find a city page that explains or lists homeowners associations. A few facts still shape how a Whittier board works:
Because the city has no HOA office, your CC&Rs and state law are your main guides. City ordinances apply on top of them. If your community is in one of the historic districts, ask Planning what exterior changes need city review.
Local rules
Rules that apply in Whittier
Three layers of rules apply to a Whittier association. State law comes first, mainly the Davis-Stirling Act. City ordinances apply to every property, whether or not it is in an HOA. Your governing documents can then be stricter than the city in most areas, and state law limits them in a few. The city does not enforce your CC&Rs, and your CC&Rs do not excuse anyone from a city rule.
Fire hazard maps and hillsidesThe city has been reviewing CAL FIRE’s 2025 maps. Its page does not say which neighborhoods are in a zone.
CAL FIRE released updated Local Responsibility Area fire hazard severity zone maps for Southern California on March 24, 2025. The city’s page says the maps show the likelihood of wildfire over the next 30 to 50 years and may affect insurance, building codes and defensible space requirements going forward.
When we checked, the city’s page said Whittier had not yet adopted the map and was still in the public comment period. The city’s workshop slides listed a public hearing in July 2025 and explain that, under Government Code section 51179, the council can raise a hazard designation but cannot lower one. We could not confirm whether the map has been adopted since.
At the city’s June 18, 2025 workshop, the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority gave updates on brush clearance in the surrounding hillsides, and LA County Fire covered home hardening and defensible space. The city page links to a Whittier zone map and an interactive map, and takes questions at ccd@cityofwhittier.org.
Good practice, not a legal requirement: if your community borders open hillside land, look up your parcels on the map, talk with your insurance broker and plan brush and roof work before fire season.
What to do about it: Wildfire Defensible Space for Foothill HOAs and How to Minimize Homeowners Association Liability. For coverage questions, see Rising HOA Insurance Costs in California and the FAIR Plan and California HOA insurance requirements.
Short-term rentalsThe city took up new short-term rental rules in early 2026. We could not confirm the final details.
In early 2026 the City Council took up Ordinance No. 3175, Zoning Code Amendment ZCA24-0003, which adds short-term rental regulations citywide. The city filed a CEQA notice of exemption for the amendment with the state on February 25, 2026.
The city has a Short-Term Rentals page, but it would not open for us, and neither would the online code. We are not going to guess at the final rules, such as who may operate a rental, where rentals are allowed or how permits work. Ask Planning at City Hall, or Building and Safety at (562) 567-9320, for the current rules.
Whatever the city allows, your CC&Rs may still limit rentals in your community, so a city permit does not override them.
What to do about it: How to Handle Short-Term Rentals in Your Community walks through writing and enforcing a rental rule. For longer leases, see Renting Out Your Home in a Homeowners Association. For the California rules, see our guide to buying, selling and renting in a California HOA.
Street parking and permit districtsNo vehicle may stay on a city street 72 hours or more. Some streets are permit-only districts.
Because the online code would not open, we could not confirm an overnight parking ban or an oversized vehicle rule. We also found no rule on towing from private streets. Ask the city before relying on a city rule inside a private-street community.
What to do about it: How to Set Up a Towing Service in Your Homeowners Association and HOA Rules and Enforcing Violations. For the state rules on enforcement, fines and hearings, see California HOA enforcement, fines and disputes.
Water: who supplies it and the rulesYour provider depends on your address. City water customers call Public Works.
The City of Whittier runs its own water utility, and its Water Service Area Map shows where it serves. Other parts of Whittier get water from other providers. The city’s FAQ lists Suburban Water Systems at (562) 944-8219, San Gabriel Water at (562) 699-1041, Orchard Dale at (562) 941-0114, Golden State Water at (562) 864-8214 and Cal Domestic at (562) 947-3811. Your water bill shows which one serves your community, and rules and rates come from that provider.
The city’s water conservation page still describes the state’s 2022 emergency rules: no runoff onto sidewalks, no washing driveways or sidewalks, no watering within 48 hours after a quarter inch of rain and no filling decorative fountains or ponds, with a recommended schedule of three days a week. The page itself says the state regulation lasted one year, and it does not name a current local stage, so confirm with Public Works at (562) 567-9530 before you set your schedule. That line also takes water waste reports.
The city’s page mentions rebates for smart irrigation systems, water-efficient appliances and rain barrels, but gives no amounts and no HOA program.
Under AB 1572, a 2023 state law, the State Water Board says HOAs and common interest developments must stop watering nonfunctional turf with drinking water by January 1, 2029. Nonfunctional turf is mowed grass that is not used for recreation or community activities, such as grass along streets, in parking lots or next to buildings and sidewalks. Associations with more than 5,000 square feet of irrigated common area must self-certify compliance by June 30, 2031, and then every three years through 2040.
What to do about it: put the turf conversion in your numbers with Planning Your HOA Budget and Understanding HOA Reserve Studies, then compare landscape bids with the Vendor Comparison Worksheet. For the California rules behind these projects, see California HOA maintenance and repair responsibilities and California HOA reserves.
City treesCity policy is not to remove a healthy, mature tree. Parkway removals are posted for 30 days first.
The city’s FAQ says it is city policy not to remove a healthy, mature tree. Staff will inspect a tree and explain whether it meets the removal guidelines. Call the Parks Division at (562) 567-9400 for an inspection or a trimming request.
Under the city’s Parkway Tree Manual, a parkway tree set for removal is posted for 30 days, and residents can object during that time. In a 2023 case, the appeal went to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission at a public hearing and then to the City Council.
We could not open the city’s Urban Forest Management Plan page and did not find a rule on trees on private property. Ask the Parks Division before removing a large common-area tree near a street.
What to do about it: How to Hire a Contractor for Your Homeowners Association covers what to require of a tree service before work starts. Budget recurring tree work with Planning Your HOA Budget.
Construction hours7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
The hours come from the city’s Building and Safety FAQ, which does not cite a code section. We could not open the noise ordinance and found no leaf blower rule, though the city asks residents not to blow leaves and debris into gutters. Building and Safety is at (562) 567-9320.
Good practice, not a legal requirement: city hours run into the evening, so if your community wants quieter evenings, set work hours in your vendor contracts and house rules.
What to do about it: Managing Outside Vendors for Your HOA.
Is this a lot for a volunteer board to track?
City rules, state law and your own documents all change, and someone has to keep up. If your Whittier board is deciding between managing itself and hiring help, start with Self-Managed vs. Professional HOA Management, or tell us about your community and we will send you options from affiliated management companies.
Compare HOA management optionsQuick answers
Questions Whittier board members ask
Is our community in a fire hazard zone?
The city page does not list neighborhoods. Look up your parcels on the city’s zone map, and email ccd@cityofwhittier.org with questions. When we checked, the city had not yet adopted CAL FIRE’s 2025 map.
Are short-term rentals legal in Whittier?
The city took up short-term rental rules in early 2026, but we could not open the city’s page to confirm the final rules. Ask the city, and check your CC&Rs. See How to Handle Short-Term Rentals in Your Community.
Who supplies our water?
It depends on your address. The city serves part of Whittier, and the city’s FAQ lists five other providers. Check your water bill.
Can a car stay parked on the street for a week?
No. The police department says no vehicle may stay on a city street for 72 or more consecutive hours.
How do residents get a permit parking district?
By petition to Public Works. The Parking and Transportation Commission reviews it, and the City Council decides. Call (562) 567-9500.
When must we stop using drinking water on common-area turf?
January 1, 2029 for HOA common areas under AB 1572, according to the State Water Board. Plan the cost with the Annual HOA Budget Checklist.
What hours can contractors work?
The city’s FAQ says 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Your own rules can be stricter for common-area work.
Calendar
A Whittier board’s year
The 2029 turf date comes from the State Water Board. The other items are general good practice, not legal requirements.
Keep the year on track: use the Board Meeting Checklist and the Annual HOA Budget Checklist.
Who to call
Whittier contacts for HOA boards
| Office | Phone | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Public Works Customer Service | (562) 567-9530 | City water problems, water waste reports and street sweeping |
| City water emergencies after hours | (562) 567-9200 | After-hours water emergencies |
| Public Works permits | (562) 567-9500 | Preferential parking permits and no-parking petitions |
| Building and Safety | (562) 567-9320 | Building permits, inspections and construction hours |
| Parks Division | (562) 567-9400 | City tree inspections and trimming |
| City Clerk | (562) 567-9880 | Business licenses |
| Suburban Water Systems | (562) 944-8219 | Water service in its area |
| San Gabriel Water | (562) 699-1041 | Water service in its area |
| Orchard Dale | (562) 941-0114 | Water service in its area |
| Golden State Water | (562) 864-8214 | Water service in its area |
| Cal Domestic | (562) 947-3811 | Water service in its area |
Keep going
Where to go next on How2HOA
Sources for this guide
These sources open in a new tab.
City of Whittier: Fire Severity Zone Map, Local Responsibility Area; Fire hazard map workshop slides; Parking and maintenance; Police impound authority; Water; Water conservation; Frequently asked questions; Building and Safety FAQ; Historic districts; Parkway tree appeal agenda report (2023).
Other agencies: CEQAnet, Zoning Code Amendment ZCA24-0003; U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Whittier; State Water Resources Control Board, Nonfunctional Turf Law (AB 1572); State Water Board nonfunctional turf FAQ.
Professional management
Thinking about management help?
Tell us about your community and we will send you options from affiliated management companies.
Compare HOA management optionsBrowse all HOA topicsThis page is general educational information, not legal, financial or insurance advice. City ordinances and state law change, and your association’s governing documents control many of these questions, so check the current code and talk with your association’s attorney or another qualified professional about your situation.