Yorba Linda, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

Municipal Code Section 18.10.090's residential development standards table sets Yorba Linda's height ceiling at 35 feet or two stories, whichever is less, for the R-A zone at the low-density end of the table, rising to 50 feet or four stories, whichever is less, at the R-M-30 zone at the high-density end. Table footnote 2 allows steeples, crosses and other religious symbols on churches to exceed the district height limit under Section 18.24.110, cross-referencing the general height-measurement rules in Section 18.26.030 and the additional design standards in Section 18.10.110.H.

Section 18.26.030 defines how height is measured: for residential structures, from existing grade or the finished pad elevation to the highest point of the roof as defined in the code's building-height definition. The Community Development Director may grant limited height exemptions without a variance, letting screened mechanical or electrical towers, chimneys, cupolas and weather vanes that cover no more than five percent of the roof area extend up to 10 percent above the maximum permitted height, and letting stairwell or elevator accessways covering no more than 10 percent of the roof area extend up to five feet above it.

Separately, Section 18.10.110.H restricts any residential building that backs onto or sides onto an arterial or collector street, as classified on the General Plan, to a single story, though the Planning Commission or Zoning Administrator may approve an exception during design review based on the building's design, roof slope, distance from the right-of-way and pad elevation; that exception is also available for qualifying projects in the R-M, R-M-20 and R-M-30 zones.