Aliso Viejo, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Table 15.10.030 in AVMC § 15.10.030 holds the minimum building setbacks for residential districts in the City of Aliso Viejo. The setback block lists the districts RL, RM, RH, RVH and PRD3 and then prints Front, Side and Rear rows under Single-Family Detached and Single-Family Attached. Front prints 10 feet and rear prints 10 feet. Side prints 10 feet for one side only, or 10 feet aggregate for both sides, in the detached cell, and 0 feet on the attached side with 10 feet on the open side in the attached cell. One cell carries the text 'For single-family detached and attached: same setbacks as RL; otherwise, n/a,' and the PRD3 cell reads 'As approved for each project.' The Minimum perimeter setback row prints n/a, n/a and then 20 feet in the remaining cells, with footnote 4 on the last two.

Three footnotes control how the numbers work. Footnote 2 says setbacks are measured from the ultimate street right-of-way line and are subject to AVMC 15.14.040. Footnote 3 says the PRD standards apply to projects approved after the effective date of the ordinance codified in the code, while earlier projects keep setbacks and other standards as established by the buildings as they exist on that date. Footnote 4 increases all minimum perimeter setbacks 1 foot for every foot in height above 35 feet.

Section 15.14.040 lets listed features project into required residential setbacks as long as a minimum distance of three feet from all property lines is maintained. Awnings reach up to four feet into front and rear yard setbacks and three feet into side yard setbacks. Balconies reach up to five feet into front and rear setbacks and three feet into side setbacks. Bay windows reach up to 30 inches, chimneys up to seven feet in width reach up to two feet, and architectural projections such as cornices and eaves reach up to three feet. Open porches reach three feet into front or rear setbacks and shall not encroach into side yard setbacks.