The City of Whittier caps building height by zone in its Zoning Code. Single-family R-1 and multiple-family R-3 buildings may not exceed 35 feet, while the larger R-E estate zone is limited to 30 feet. Hillside areas add slope-based grading limits.
Whittier sets maximum building height in each zoning district through its City Zoning Code (Title 18), not the Los Angeles County code. In the R-1 Single-Family Residential Zone, Section 18.16.030(D) limits buildings and structures to 35 feet, with chimneys and similar architectural features allowed to project a maximum of 2 feet above the highest point. The R-3 Medium Multiple Residential Zone (Section 18.20.030(D)) likewise caps buildings at 35 feet with the same 2-foot chimney allowance. The R-E Single-Family Residential Estate Zone is more restrictive, with a maximum height of 30 feet under Section 18.12.030(D). In the H-R Hillside Residential Zone (Chapter 18.14), grading and slope standards add practical height controls: the vertical height of cuts or fills retained by walls may not exceed 20 feet from toe to top (Section 18.14.080(D)), shaping how tall hillside structures and their supporting walls can be. Manufacturing zones allow much greater height but step down near residential zones. Because height is measured per the City's definitions and can be affected by roof form, grade, and overlays, owners planning a second story or a tall accessory structure should confirm the applicable limit and measurement method with Whittier Community Development.
Exceeding the zone's maximum height is a zoning violation. The City can deny building plans, require redesign to comply, or pursue enforcement against completed work that exceeds the limit. Variances are discretionary and not guaranteed.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
whittier-ca
Under California SB 1383, Whittier requires residents and businesses to separate organic waste (food scraps and yard/green waste) into organics collection. T...
whittier-ca
Whittier's municipal code does not contain a stand-alone artificial-turf ordinance, and the City does not prohibit synthetic turf on residential property. Sy...
whittier-ca
Whittier does not mandate native plants, but its Single-Family Residential Design Guidelines state that drought-tolerant and native plants should be a priori...
whittier-ca
Whittier's municipal code does not prohibit residential rainwater harvesting, and California's Rainwater Capture Act (2012) lets residents collect rainwater ...
whittier-ca
Whittier homes are served by the City's own water division or by Suburban Water Systems. Under WMC 13.24.010 the public works director may restrict watering ...
whittier-ca
Whittier Municipal Code Chapter 8.24 (Weed Abatement), adopted by Ordinance 2388 in 1986, is the City's weed ordinance. It makes it a public nuisance to allo...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle structure height limits.
See how Whittier's structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.