Palmdale, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing table
- Table 17.36.010-1
- ER zone max coverage
- 20% of lot
- RN 2 zone max coverage
- 75% of lot
- Calculation section
- PMC § 17.17.050(C)
- Variance increase cap
- Up to 10% more, PMC § 17.24.040
- Excluded feature
- Decks/porches under 4 ft height
Summary
Palmdale caps single-family lot coverage at 20 to 75 percent of the parcel depending on zone under Table 17.36.010-1, with PMC § 17.17.050(C) defining what counts toward that footprint and excluding low decks, small eaves, open trellises, and unenclosed pools.
Determining Lot Coverage. Lot coverage is the ratio of the total footprint area of all structures on a lot to the net lot area, typically expressed as a percentage. The footprints of all principal and accessory structures, including garages, carports, covered patios, and roofed porches, shall be summed to calculate lot coverage. The following structures shall be excluded from the calculation: (1) Unenclosed and unroofed decks, patio slabs, porches, landings, and stairways less than four feet in height; (2) Eaves and roof overhangs projecting up to three feet from a wall; (3) Trellises, pergolas, and similar structures that have roofs that are at least 50 percent open to the sky... and that are less than 400 square feet in size; and (4) Swimming pools and hot tubs that are not enclosed in roofed structures or decks. [Table 17.36.010-1, Maximum Lot Coverage (% of lot): ER 20, LDR 30, SFR 1 30, SFR 2 40, SFR 3 50, RN 1 60, RN 2 75, RN 3 NA]
Full Breakdown
010-1 sets maximum lot coverage, expressed as a percentage of lot area, for Palmdale's single-family residential zones: 20 percent in Estate Residential (ER), 30 percent in Low Density Residential (LDR) and SFR 1, 40 percent in SFR 2, 50 percent in SFR 3, 60 percent in RN 1, and 75 percent in RN 2, while RN 3 carries no numeric cap (NA) under this table. 050(C) defines how that percentage is calculated: lot coverage is the ratio of the total footprint area of all structures on a lot to the net lot area, summing the footprints of all principal and accessory structures including garages, carports, covered patios, and roofed porches.
Four categories are excluded from the calculation: unenclosed and unroofed decks, patio slabs, porches, landings, and stairways under four feet in height; eaves and roof overhangs projecting up to three feet from a wall; trellises, pergolas, and similar structures with roofs at least 50 percent open to the sky through uniformly distributed openings and under 400 square feet in size; and swimming pools and hot tubs that are not enclosed in roofed structures or decks. 040 lets the Review Authority grant a variance increasing maximum lot coverage by not more than 10 percent of the parcel area where the increase improves site planning or architectural design, preserves views, or facilitates desirable amenities, provided it will not unreasonably affect abutting parcels.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the maximum lot coverage set in Table 17.36.010-1 without an approved variance under PMC § 17.24.040 is a Title 17 zoning violation, enforceable citywide under PMC § 1.12.010 as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both, or as an infraction with escalating fines up to $500 for repeat offenses within a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum lot coverage on a Palmdale single-family lot?
Does an uncovered patio count toward Palmdale's lot coverage limit?
Can Palmdale approve more lot coverage than the table allows?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palmdale
California rules heatmap·Compare Palmdale to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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