Redondo Beach, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)

503 sets the dimensional envelope for every single-family lot in the R-1 zone. The front setback is an averaging standard, not a flat line: it must average no less than 25% of the depth of the lot or 25 feet, whichever produces the smaller number, but no point along the front of the building may come closer than 20 feet to the front property line. 1520 governs how that averaging calculation is performed. A second-story front setback rule builds on top of this: the upper floor must average 10 feet more than the required average front setback, and any front wall whose top of plate exceeds 16 feet in height is treated as a second story for that calculation, closing off a common workaround of building a tall single story to avoid the upper setback.

Side setbacks are simpler: a minimum of five feet along the full length of the lot. Redondo Beach carves out one exception for older, narrower parcels: additions to existing single-family homes on lots under 50 feet wide that already have side setbacks under five feet may match the existing nonconforming setback, provided it is not less than 10% of the lot's width. Rear yards use the same averaging logic as the front: the rear yard must average at least 20% of lot depth, with an absolute minimum of 15 feet at any point. 8 for specific design features like covered front porches or rear-facing garages), a 30-foot height limit, and a two-story maximum. 2508.