Chino Hills, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R-A/R-R/R-S/RM-1 height cap
- 35 feet
- RM-2/RM-3 height cap
- 42 feet
- Height measured from
- Grade plane to highest point
- Antenna exemption
- Exempt antennas excluded from cap
- Misdemeanor fine
- Up to $1,000 or 6 months jail
Summary
Chino Hills caps residential building height at 35 feet in the R-A, R-R, R-S, and RM-1 districts, and 42 feet in the higher-density RM-2 and RM-3 districts, under Table 20-1(A) in CHMC § 16.10.030. Height is measured under § 16.06.100 from the grade plane to the highest point of the structure, counting mechanical equipment, architectural projections, and roof screening.
TABLE 20-1(A). Residential Zone Districts—Development Standards ... G. Maximum Building Height (c) 35 ft. 35 ft. 35 ft. 35 ft. 42 ft. 42 ft. ... (c) Exempt antennas as defined in this Development Code are exempt from the maximum height restrictions.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 61).
Full Breakdown
030 sets the development standards for six residential zoning districts: R-A (rural agricultural, five-acre minimum lot), R-R (rural residential, 20,000 square-foot lot), R-S (single-family, 7,200 square-foot lot), and the multifamily RM-1, RM-2, and RM-3 districts, which allow up to 12, 25, and 35 dwelling units per acre respectively. Row G of that table caps maximum building height at 35 feet in R-A, R-R, R-S, and RM-1, and raises the cap to 42 feet in the denser RM-2 and RM-3 districts. Footnote (c) to the height row carves out one exception: exempt antennas, as defined elsewhere in the Development Code, are excluded from the maximum height restriction.
2 districts. 310, and that measurement counts mechanical equipment, architectural projections, architectural roof screening, and appurtenance structures toward the total, so a rooftop unit or screen wall can push a building against its district's cap even if the roofline itself sits lower.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the 35-foot cap in R-A, R-R, R-S, or RM-1, or 42 feet in RM-2 or RM-3, without approval is a Title 16 violation under CHMC § 16.10.030. Per § 16.02.110 it is a misdemeanor unless designated an infraction, punishable under § 1.36.010 et seq., with a $1,000 fine and up to six months in county jail for a misdemeanor conviction under § 1.36.020. The city must first issue a written compliance order under § 1.18.060 before an administrative citation may follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be built in Chino Hills?
What counts toward the building height limit?
Do all residential zones use the same height table?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino Hills
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino Hills to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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Structure Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle structure height limits.