In San Clemente's RL single-family zone, the minimum front-yard setback is 20 feet, interior side yards are 10% of average lot width or 6 feet (whichever is smaller), street-side yards are 10 feet, and rear yards are 10 feet.
SCMC Section 17.32.040 and Table 17.32.040 set minimum yard setbacks for each residential zone (RVL, RL, RML, RM, RH). In the RL single-family zone, the minimum front-yard setback to a primary structure is 20 feet; the interior side-yard setback is 10 percent of average lot width or 6 feet, whichever is smaller; the street-side yard is 10 feet; and the rear yard is 10 feet. Denser zones have smaller yards: the RM front-yard setback is 15 feet and the RH is 10 feet, with 5-foot side and rear yards. A street-facing garage generally must be set back 20 feet, or 18 feet with roll-up doors, per SCMC 17.64.060. A Minor Exception Permit under SCMC 17.32.050 may reduce the front setback.
Building a primary structure, addition or garage closer to a property line than the SCMC 17.32.040 minimums, without an approved Minor Exception Permit, is a setback violation. The Planning Division (949-361-6100) reviews plans; encroachments may require redesign or removal.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
san-clemente-ca
Under California SB 1383, San Clemente requires single-family and multifamily residents to subscribe to organics collection and recycle green waste and food ...
san-clemente-ca
San Clemente's Landscape Standards require living, drought-tolerant plant material and permeable surfaces, with required landscaping at least 60 percent Cali...
san-clemente-ca
San Clemente's Landscape Standards require drought-tolerant, water-efficient landscaping for new and rehabilitated projects. Under Municipal Code Section 17....
san-clemente-ca
San Clemente has no ordinance prohibiting residential rainwater harvesting, and California's Rainwater Capture Act (2012) allows homeowners to collect roofto...
san-clemente-ca
The City of San Clemente is the water utility for most of the city; the Talega area is served by Santa Margarita Water District. Permanent water-waste restri...
san-clemente-ca
San Clemente's annual Weed Abatement Program treats overgrown weeds and dry vegetation as a fire hazard and nuisance. Owners must clear weeds and debris by M...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Orange County.
See how other cities in Orange County handle setback rules.
See how San Clemente's setback rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.