Building Setbacks & Zoning in Alhambra, CA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Alhambra, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Alhambra's Table 23.04.030 sets a 25-foot minimum front setback in the Low Density (RL) zone and a 10-foot street side setback in every residential district. Interior side setbacks run 5 feet at the first story and 6 feet above, while rear setbacks range from 20% of lot depth, capped at 15 feet, in RL down to a flat 10 feet in Medium and High Density zones, with special 15-foot rules for lots on Curtis or Electric Lanes.
Alhambra Residential Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsAlhambra Municipal Code Table 23.04.030 (Development Standards - Residential Zoning Districts), § 23.04.030
Minimum front setback (feet): 25(A) [RL]. Minimum street side setback (feet): 10 10 10. Minimum interior setback (feet): First story: 5 Second story: 6 [RL]; First story: 5 Upper stories: 6 [RM]; First story: 5 Upper stories: 6 [RH]. Minimum rear setback: 20% of lot depth, up to 15 feet [RL]; 10 [RM]; Properties which have rear yards on Curtis or Electric Lanes: 15, otherwise 10 [RH].
Structure Height Limits
Alhambra caps residential building height at 25 feet and two stories in the Low Density (RL) zone, 35 feet and three stories in Medium Density (RM), and 45 feet and five stories in High Density (RH). A mapped area bounded by Atlantic, Woodward, Commonwealth, and Chapel raises the RH cap to 75 feet and six stories near freeway interchanges, per Table 23.04.030 of the Zoning Code.
Alhambra Residential Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsAlhambra Municipal Code Table 23.04.030 (Development Standards - Residential Zoning Districts), § 23.04.030
Maximum height (feet) 25 35 Area bounded by Atlantic Blvd on the west, Woodward Ave on the north, Commonwealth Ave on the south, and Chapel Ave on the east, and parcels on major arterial streets within 1,300 feet of a freeway interchange: 75. Other areas: 45. ... Maximum number of stories 2 3 [same area]: 6. Other areas: 5.
Lot Coverage Limits
Alhambra's zoning code caps building footprint by residential district: Table 23.04.030 sets no stand-alone lot coverage limit in the Low Density (RL) zone, 45% of the lot in Medium Density (RM), and 55% of the lot in High Density (RH), on top of the setbacks that already govern where a structure can sit.
Alhambra Residential Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsAlhambra Municipal Code Table 23.04.030 (Development Standards - Residential Zoning Districts), § 23.04.030
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) 0.40 [RL] N/A [RM] N/A [RH] ... Lot Coverage Standards Maximum lot coverage (% of lot) N/A [RL] 45 [RM] 55 [RH]
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Alhambra city rules.
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