Huntington Beach, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- RL/RM front setback
- 15 feet
- RMH-A front setback
- 12 feet
- RMH/RH/RMP front setback
- 10 feet
- RL/RM/RMH/RH rear setback
- 10 feet
- Max dwelling height (most districts)
- 35 feet
- Measured from
- ultimate right-of-way line
Summary
Huntington Beach sets a 15-foot front setback for RL and RM single- and multi-family lots, 10 feet for RH and RMH, and 12 feet for the RMH-A subdistrict, measured from the ultimate right-of-way line. Side, street-side, and rear minimums are also fixed by district in the same table.
Property Development Standards for Residential Districts: RL, RM, RMH-A Subdistrict, RMH, RH, RMP. Min. Setbacks: Front (ft.) 15, 15, 12, 10, 10, 10. Side (ft.) 3;5, 3;5, 3;5, 3;5, 3;5, -. Street Side (ft.) 6;10, 6;10, 5, 6;10, 6;10, 10. Rear (ft.) 10, 10, 7.5, 10, 10, -. Max. Height (ft.) Dwellings: 35, 35, 35, 35, 35, 20. All required setbacks shall be measured from ultimate right-of-way and in accordance with the definitions set forth in Chapter 203, Definitions.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954605; v17 updated 2026-06-16).
Full Breakdown
06, Property Development Standards for Residential Districts, is the dimensional table governing the RL, RM, RMH-A, RMH, RH, and RMP zoning districts. All required setbacks are measured from the ultimate right-of-way line, consistent with the definitions in Chapter 203. The table sets minimum front setbacks of 15 feet in RL and RM, 12 feet in the RMH-A subdistrict, and 10 feet in RMH, RH, and RMP. Side yard minimums are listed as "3; 5" feet across RL, RM, RMH-A, RMH, and RH, meaning a base 3-foot minimum with a separate 5-foot standard applying under the additional-provisions cross-references.
Street-side setbacks run 6 to 10 feet in RL, RM, RMH, and RH, with a flat 5 feet in RMH-A and 10 feet in RMP. 5 feet in RMH-A. Maximum building height for dwellings is capped at 35 feet across RL, RM, RMH-A, RMH, and RH, and 20 feet in RMP, while accessory structures are capped at 15 feet in every district. Minimum building site area ranges from 2,500 square feet in RMH-A up to 10 acres in RMP, with a 6,000-square-foot minimum in RL, RM, RMH, and RH and a 60-foot minimum lot width in those same four districts (25 feet in RMH-A). 07 for exceptions like corner lot street-side setbacks and projections into required yards.
Violations & Fines
Constructing a structure that encroaches into the minimum front, side, street-side, or rear setback established for its district under Section 210.06 is a zoning violation; the Community Development Department can deny a building permit application that shows an encroaching footprint, and an as-built encroachment discovered after construction is subject to code enforcement requiring removal, relocation, or a variance application to the Zoning Administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the front yard setback for a single-family home in Huntington Beach?
Does the RMH-A subdistrict have different setbacks?
How tall can a house be built under these setback rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington Beach
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