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Los Angeles County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Front yard (R-A, R-1, R-2): 20 feet
Interior side yard (R-A, R-1, R-2): 5 feet
Rear yard (R-A, R-1, R-2): 15 feet
Front yard (R-3): 15 feet
Front yard (R-5): 5 feet
Corner side yard: 5 feet (most zones)

Summary

In unincorporated LA County residential zones, minimum front yards range from 15–20 feet depending on the zone, interior side yards require at least 5 feet, and rear yards require 15 feet.

City-specific rules exist: West Covina, El Monte, Inglewood, Compton, Carson, Palmdale, Pomona, Lakewood, Glendale, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Downey, South Gate, Norwalk, Lancaster, Long Beach, and Los Angeles have their own setback rules rules that differ from Los Angeles County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

C.Required Yards. Except as specified otherwise, Table 22.18.040-A, below, identifies the minimum yard depths for Zones R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5 as follows: Table 22.18.040-A: Minimum Yard depths for Residential Zones Zones Front Corner Side Corner Side—Reversed Corner Lot Interior Side Rear R-A, R-1, R-2 20 feet 5 feet 10 feet 5 feet 15 feet R-3 15 feet 5 feet 7.5 feet 5 feet 15 feet R-4 15 feet 5 feet 7.5 feet 5 feet where no building exceeds two stories in height; or 5 feet plus 1 foot for each story that exceeds two stories, except the maximum required side yard depth is 16 feet 15 feet R-5 5 feet 15 feet if adjacent to Zone R-1 or R-2, and 0 feet if separated from a lot in Zone R-1 or R-2 by a highway, street, alley, or easement of at least 15 feet in width

Source: LA County Code Chapter 22.110 - General Site Regulations (Setbacks/Yards)View official code

Full Breakdown

Zones R-A, R-1, and R-2 (standard single-family and agricultural-residential) require a 20-foot front yard, 5-foot interior side yard, and 15-foot rear yard. Zone R-3 reduces the front to 15 feet. R-4 uses the same front yard but adds story-based side yard increases above two stories. The high-density R-5 zone is most flexible with only a 5-foot front yard, but requires a 15-foot setback from adjacent R-1 or R-2 lots.

Violations & Fines

Structures built within required yards are violations of Title 22 (Planning and Zoning) and may be subject to code enforcement, stop-work orders, and orders to remove or modify the offending structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How close to my fence can I build in an R-1 zone?

You must maintain at least a 5-foot interior side yard and 15-foot rear yard from the property lines.

Can I build a detached garage close to my property line?

Detached garages located 75 feet or more from the front lot line may be placed in required rear and side yards subject to additional rules in Section 22.44.1375.

What's the minimum front yard in an R-3 apartment zone?

Zone R-3 requires a 15-foot front yard, reduced from the 20-foot standard for R-1 and R-2.

Sources & Official References

[1]Los Angeles County Code of Ordinances (Municode)

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All Los Angeles County rules

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