Los Angeles, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R1/RS/RE9 max height
- 33 ft (28 ft if roof slope <25%)
- RE11/RE15/RE20/RE40/RA max height
- 36 ft (30 ft if roof slope <25%)
- R2 max height
- 33 ft
Summary
In non-hillside, non-coastal Los Angeles zones, R1/RS/RE9 buildings are capped at 33 feet (28 feet if roof slope is less than 25%), R2 buildings at 33 feet, and RE11/RE15/RE20/RE40/RA buildings at 36 feet (30 feet for low-slope roofs).
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the following height regulations shall apply on a Lot that is not located in a Hillside Area or Coastal Zone: In the R2 Zone, no Building or Structure shall exceed 33 feet in height. In the R1, RS, or RE9 Zones, no Building or Structure shall exceed 33 feet in height; except that when the roof of the uppermost Story of a Building or Structure or portion of the Building or Structure has a Slope of less than 25 percent, the maximum height shall be 28 feet. In the RE11, RE15, RE20, RE 40 or RA Zones, no Building or Structure shall exceed 36 feet in height; except that when the roof of the uppermost Story of a Building or Structure or portion of a Building or Structure has a Slope of less than 25 percent, the maximum height shall be 30 feet. (Amended by Ord. No. 181,624, Eff. 5/9/11.)
Notwithstanding the above, when 40 percent or more of the existing One-Family Dwellings with Frontage on both sides of the block have Building heights exceeding these limits, the maximum height for any Building on that block may be the average height of the Dwellings exceeding these limits.
Full Breakdown
LAMC § 12.21.1 sets height limits for residential structures not in a Hillside Area or Coastal Zone. For R1, RS, and RE9 zones the maximum is 33 feet, reduced to 28 feet when the uppermost story's roof slope is less than 25%. The R2 zone is capped at 33 feet with no slope-based reduction. RE11, RE15, RE20, RE40, and RA zones allow 36 feet, reduced to 30 feet for roofs with slopes below 25%. A block-average exception allows up to the average height of existing dwellings on the same block when 40% or more of those dwellings already exceed the zone's standard limit. Hillside Area lots in RA/RE/RS/R1 zones use the separate height limits in § 12.21 C.10(d) instead. Specific Plans and Historic Preservation Overlay Zones take precedence.
Violations & Fines
Constructing or enlarging a residential building in excess of the applicable zone height limit, 33 ft (R1/RS/RE9/R2), 28 ft (flat-roof R1/RS/RE9), 36 ft (RE11/RE15/RE20/RE40/RA), or 30 ft (flat-roof RE11–RA), in non-hillside, non-coastal locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a flat roof mean a lower height limit?
Do hillside properties use these same limits?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles 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.