Simi Valley's Building Setbacks & Zoning: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles building setbacks & zoning a little differently. In Simi Valley, California, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Setback Rules

Table 2-3 sets Simi Valley's residential setbacks by zoning district: 50-foot fronts in OS down to 20 feet in RE through RVH, with 6 to 15-foot sides depending on stories and density and 20-foot rears citywide. Section 9-24.050 layers in exceptions for front porches, zero-lot-line projects, freeway-adjacent lots, and reduced setbacks near open space or HOA greenbelts.

Key details: OS zone front setback: 50 feet. RE/RVL/RL/RM front setback: 20 feet. Interior side (1-story): 6 to 10 feet depending on zone. Rear setback (most zones): 20 feet. Freeway-adjacent rear reduction: down to 5 feet, SR-118 lots.

Building or maintaining a structure that encroaches into a required setback without an approved exception or permit violates Section 9-78.020's general prohibition on non-conforming construction. Section 9-78.040 makes that a misdemeanor or infraction under Chapter 2 of Title 1, with each day the encroachment continues treated as a new offense, and Section 9-78.040(A) allows the City to declare the encroaching structure a public nuisance subject to abatement.

Structure Height Limits

Simi Valley's development code prescribes how the height of structures is measured against the height limits set for each zoning district, and defines the exceptions that may extend above those limits.

Key details: Governs: Height measurement & limits. Limits set by: Zoning district. Above limit: Only listed exceptions. Code section: SVMC 9-30.060.

Building above the district height limit, other than through an identified exception measured under SVMC 9-30.060, is a zoning violation enforced by the Planning Division.

Lot Coverage Limits

Simi Valley limits how much of a required yard accessory structures can occupy. SVMC Section 9-44.220(A)(4) caps accessory residential structures at no more than 40 percent cumulative coverage of any required yard, and requires a minimum six-foot separation between accessory structures and every other on-site structure.

Key details: Max cumulative coverage: 40 percent of any required yard. Minimum separation: Six feet between accessory structures. Governing section: SVMC Section 9-44.220(A)(4). Size cap, lots under 1 acre: 30 percent of primary home, up to 1,200 sq ft. Structure count limit: Two structures 1,200+ sq ft per lot/acre.

Building or maintaining accessory structures that push cumulative yard coverage past the 40 percent limit, or that sit closer than six feet to another on-site structure, is a Development Code violation subject to code enforcement. A structure built without the required Building Permit or in excess of the coverage or size limits can be ordered modified, relocated, or removed, and the property owner can be required to obtain retroactive approval, including a Conditional Use Permit, where the code allows it.

The Bottom Line

Simi Valley's building setbacks & zoning rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Simi Valley is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Simi Valley can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.