La Habra, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Section 18.24.040.B sets the front yard at whatever Table 18.24.040.B lists for the zone, or twenty-five percent of the lot depth, whichever is less: 25 feet in both R-1a and R-1b, and 20 feet in R-1c. Corner lots and cul-de-sac lots get their own adjustment: a building fronting a cul-de-sac needs at least a 15-foot setback from the property line, and where forty percent of a block face is already built with an average front yard varying no more than 10 feet, new construction cannot project past that established average line.

Cornices, canopies, carports and eaves can intrude up to 2 feet 6 inches into any required yard, and open, unenclosed porches or landing places can extend up to 6 feet into a front yard if fitted with a railing no taller than 30 inches. Section 18.24.040.C sets side yards at not less than 5 feet on each side of the main building, rising to 10 feet along the street side of a corner lot; an attached garage facing the street on a corner lot needs a 20-foot setback from the side lot line.

Section 18.24.040.D sets the rear yard at not less than 25 feet or 25 percent of lot depth, whichever is less, though a private garage of up to 600 square feet can project up to 15 feet into that rear yard if it shares a wall or roof connection with the main house, and a habitable room addition can encroach up to 15 feet into the rear setback if the existing structure is at least a year old and a 10-foot setback from the rear property line is maintained.