Zoning Ordinance Summary - Residential Zones
Table of Contents
This is a SUMMARY ONLY of the Los Angeles County Zoning Ordinance (unincorporated area). The information herein is NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE.
One other thing to also keep in mind --USES MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN, LOCAL PLANS, AND/OR COMMUNITY STANDARDS DISTRICTS. THESE MAY LIMIT THE TYPE AND INTENSITY OF USE.
For more complete information, see Title 22 (Planning and Zoning) of the Los Angeles County Code, or stop by the office of the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, Room 1360 Hall of Records, 320 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Phone: (213) 974-6411.
Guidelines for Designing a Residential Project
Before you begin, check with the staff of the Department of Regional Planning to confirm the following:
- Is the proposed use consistent with the General Plan?
- What is the zoning and does it allow the proposed use?
- Are there any proposed street or alley widening?
- Is the project subject to special standards district requirements?
Setbacks
Structures & Parking:
- R-1, R-2, R-A, A-1, A-2……………………..20’ front, 5’ side, 15’ rear
- R-3, R-4……………………………………………15’ front, 5’ side, 15’ rear
- Lots less than 50’ wide………………………Side may be 10% of which, 3’ min.
Detached parking may encroach into setbacks if at least 75’ from front property line.
Height
- R-1, R-A, A-1, A-2……………………………..35 ft
- R-2, R-3……………………………………………35 ft.
- R-4……………………………………………………13 times buildable area
Parking
Requirements
- Single family residence (including detached
and attached condominiums)……………………………….2 covered spaces - Duplex…………………………………………………………………..3 covered, 1 uncovered
- Apartments (per unit)
- 2 bedroom or larger………………………………………….1 1/2 covered, 1/2 uncovered
- 1 bedroom or smaller……………………………………….1 1/2 covered
- For projects with 10 units or more (including
condominium projects with 10+ units)……………..1 guest for each 4 unit
Parking Design
- Standard spaces (90)…………………………..8 1/2’ x 18’
- Turning radius (back-up space)……………..26’
- Tandem……………………………………………….8 1/2’ x 36’
No compact parking is allowed.
Backing into alley is allowed if garage is 26 ft. from far side of alley.
Building Separation
- Between 2 primary structures…………………….10 ft.
- Between primary & accessory structures…….6 ft.
Zone R-1: Single Family Residence
Permitted Uses:
- Single family residences (22.20.070 - 22.20.100)
Minimum Required Area:
- Unless otherwise specified: 5,000 sq. ft./lot (22.52.100, 22.52.250)
Maximum Height Limit:
- 35 feet from existing or excavated grade (22.20.110) (unless modified by a special standards district such as a community standards district.)
Minimum Required Parking:
- 2 covered parking spaces per single family residence (22.52.1180)
Standard Yard Requirements:
- Front Yard: 20 feet (22.20.120), except as provided in special Standards District
- Rear Yard: 15 feet or 20% of average depth of shallow lot, but not less than 10 feet (22.20.120 and 22.48.110)
- Side Yards: Interior Lot: 5 feet or 10% of average width of narrow lot, but not less than 3 feet (22.20.120 and 22.48.100)
- Corner Lot: 5 feet except on reversed corner lot, which is 10 feet (22.20.120)
Development Standards:
- (See 22.20.105 regarding development standards for single-family residences)
Zone R-2: Two Family Residence
Permitted Uses:
- Two family residences (or duplex), single family residences (22.20.170 - 22.20.200)
Minimum Required Area (Unless otherwise specified):
- 5,000 sq. ft./lot (22.52.100)
- 2,500 sq. ft./unit (22.52.270)
Maximum Height Limit:
- 35 feet from existing or excavated grade (22.20.210). See special standards district
Minimum Required Parking:
- 1 1/2 covered spaces + 1/2 uncovered space per unit for each 2- family residence (duplex)
- Single Family Residence, same as in R-1 zone (22.52.1180)
Standard Yard Requirements:
- Front Yard: 20 feet (22.20.220)
- Rear Yard: 15 feet or 20% of average depth of shallow lot, but not less than 10 feet (22.20.220 and 22.48.110)
- Side Yards: Interior lot: 5 feet or 10% of average width of narrow lot, but not less than 3 feet (22.20.220 and 22.48.100)
- Corner lot: 5 feet, except on reversed corner lot, which is 10 feet (22.20.220)
Zone R-3: Limited Multiple Residence
Permitted Uses:
- Apartment houses, uses permitted in Zone R-1 and R-2 (22.20.260 - 22.20.290)
Minimum Required Area (Unless otherwise specified):
- 5000 sq. ft./lot (22.52.100)
- 1452 sq. ft./unit or as otherwise limited by the General Plan (22.20.310 and 22.20.060)
Maximum Height Limit:
- 35 feet from existing or excavated grade (22.20.300)
Minimum Required Parking:
- Each bachelor apartment unit, 1 covered space
- Each efficiency or 1 bedroom apartment unit, 1 1/2 covered spaces
- Each 2 bedroom apartment unit, 1 1/2 covered + 1/2 uncovered spaces
- See R-1 and R-2 zones
- Guest parking required for apartments with a minimum of 10 units at a ratio of 1 space for each 4 units (22.52.1180 and 22.20.330)
Standard Yard Requirements:
- Front Yard: 15 ft., except as provided (22.20.320)
- Rear Yard: 15 ft. or 20% of average depth of lot, not less than 10 ft. (22.20.320 and 22.48.110)
- Side Yards: Interior Lot: 5 feet or 10% of average width of narrow lot, but not less than 3 feet (22.20.320 and 22.48.100) Corner Lot: 5 ft., except on reversed corner lot, which is 7 1/2 feet (22.20.320)
Zone R-A: Residential Agriculture
Permitted Uses:
- Single family residences
- Crops (field, tree, bush, berry, row and nursery stock) (22.20.410 - 22.20.440)
Minimum Required Area:
- Unless otherwise specified 5000 sq. ft./lot (22.52.100, 22.52.250)
Maximum Height Limit:
- 35 feet (22.20.450)
Minimum Required Parking:
- 2 covered parking spaces per single family residence (22.52.1180)
Standard Yard Requirements:
- Front Yard: Same as R-1 (22.20.450)
- Rear Yard: Same as R-1 (22.20.450)
- Side Yards: Same as R-1 (22.20.450)
- Corner Lot: See 22.20.105 regarding development standards for single family residences
Zone RPD: Residential Planned Development
Permitted Uses:
- Single family residences (22.20.460A)
- Planned unit development with approved CUP (22.20.460B)
Minimum Required Area (unless otherwise specified)
- 5000 sq. ft./lot (22.52.100, 22.52.250)
- 5 acres/development project (22.20.460B1)
- Density - as established by CUP & zoning (22.20.460B2)
Maximum Height Limit:
- 35 feet (22.20.460)
- As established by CUP (22.20.460)
Minimum Required Parking:
- Same as R-1 (22.52.1180)
- Same as R-1 through R-4, depending on type of structure or as required by CUP (22.20.460)
Density:
- As established by CUP and zoning (22.20.460 B2)
Standard Yard Requirements and Development Standards:
- All yards: same as R-1 (22.20.460A)
- The Regional Planning Commission, in approving a CUP for a planned development, may modify or require greater yards than those required in a normal single family residential development. Building separation is a minimum of 10 feet for 1 and 2 stories. Add 2 feet for each story above 2 stories (22.20.460B)
The CUP will regulate the type of structures, open space, building coverage, utilities, landscaping, and other features.