Los Angeles County, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3 max height
- 35 feet above grade
- R-4 max height
- 13 × buildable area
- R-5 max height
- 65 feet
- R-5 adjacent to R-1/R-2 lot line
- 45 feet at the lot line, step back 1:1
- Rooftop recreational spaces
- Excluded from R-5 height calc
- Agricultural zones (A-1, A-2)
- 35 feet for single-family residences
Summary
Most single-family and lower-density residential zones in unincorporated LA County cap all buildings at 35 feet above grade, while the high-density R-5 zone allows up to 65 feet with a step-back requirement near lower-density zones.
D.Maximum Height.1.Zones R-A, R-1, R-2, and R-3. Except as specified otherwise, every residence and every other building and structure shall not exceed a height of 35 feet above grade.2.Zone R-4. Except as specified otherwise, every building and structure shall not exceed a height of 13 times the buildable area.3.Zone R-5. Every building and structure shall not exceed a height of 65 feet above grade, excluding rooftop recreational spaces, except that the portion of any building sharing a common side or rear lot line with property located within Zone R-1 or R-2 shall have a stepback from that common side or rear lot line so that the height of the building in Zone R-5 is no greater than 45 feet at the edge of the building wall facing that common lot line, and shall be recessed back one foot for every additional foot in building height, up to a maximum height of 65 feet.
Full Breakdown
Zones R-A, R-1, R-2, and R-3 limit all structures, not just homes, to 35 feet above grade. Zone R-4 applies a formula of 13 times the buildable area. R-5 allows 65 feet but portions of a building whose side or rear lot line touches an R-1 or R-2 lot must be no taller than 45 feet at that lot line, stepping back one foot for each additional foot of height. Agricultural zones A-1 and A-2 also cap single-family residences at 35 feet.
Violations & Fines
Construction exceeding the maximum height without approval is a Title 22 violation subject to code enforcement, stop-work orders, and potential forced removal of portions of the structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a three-story home in an R-1 zone?
Do commercial zones also have height limits?
Does a rooftop deck count toward the R-5 height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles County
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles County to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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