Glendale, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R1 zone height cap
- 25 ft (+3 ft for pitched roof)
- ROS/R1R hillside cap
- 32 ft, 2 stories (§30.11.040E)
- Steep-slope bonus
- Extra story at 40%+ average slope
- Multi-family cap (R-3050 etc.)
- 36 ft, 3 stories
- Sloped multi-family envelope
- 50-55 ft building envelope height
Summary
Standard single-family homes in Glendale's R1 zone cannot rise above 25 feet under Municipal Code § 30.11.030, Table 30.11-B, plus 3 feet of extra height for a pitched roof with at least a 3-in-12 slope. Hillside ROS and R1R lots get 32 feet and two stories under § 30.11.040(E), while multi-family zones such as R-3050 top out at three stories and 36 feet.
Shall not exceed 25 feet, pursuant to the definition of height set forth in this title (plus 3 feet for any roofed area having a minimum pitch of 3 feet in 12 feet) ... No primary building in the R1R and ROS zones shall exceed two stories in height or exceed a height of 32 feet pursuant to the definition of height set forth in this title. An additional three feet in height shall be permitted for any roofed area having a minimum roof pitch of three feet vertical in 12 horizontal. An additional story shall be permitted where the primary building is located on a portion of a lot having an average current slope of 40 percent (21.8 degrees) or steeper.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4983441; v20 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
11-B. 040(E) sets a different standard: no primary building may exceed two stories or 32 feet, with the same 3-foot roof-pitch bonus, except that a lot with an average slope of 40 percent or steeper earns an additional story, measured over the smallest four-sided polygon that encloses the building. 050(L). Rooftop mechanical equipment does not count toward any of these limits as long as it is screened by a roof element matching the required pitch, and elevator shafts or stairwells up to 15 feet above the roof are likewise excluded, though they must sit back at least 10 feet from any street-facing wall. A mezzanine is not treated as a story for height-counting purposes. 48.
Violations & Fines
Building above these limits without an approved variance or hillside exception is enforced the same way as any other zoning violation: under § 1.20.010(A), it is a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both, with each day the oversized structure stands counted as a new violation. The Building and Safety Division checks height against approved plans at framing inspection, and an over-height structure can be red-tagged and required to be cut down or removed before a certificate of occupancy issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I build a house in Glendale's R1 zone?
Are hillside lots allowed to build taller?
Does rooftop equipment count toward the height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glendale
California rules heatmap·Compare Glendale to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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Structure Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle structure height limits.