Building Setbacks & Zoning in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Los Angeles, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In LA's R1 One-Family Zone, buildings must maintain a front yard of at least 20% of lot depth (not exceeding 20 feet), side yards of at least 5 feet on each side, and a rear yard of at least 15 feet.
Building Setbacks: Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsLAMC § 12.08 C.1–4 (R1 One-Family Zone — Yard and Lot Requirements)
C. Area (Development Standards). No building or structure nor the enlargement of any building or structure shall be erected or maintained unless the following yards, lot areas, and floor area limitations are provided and maintained... 1. Front Yard. There shall be a front yard of not less than 20% of the depth of the lot, but such front yard need not exceed 20 feet... 2. Side Yards. (a) For a...
Structure Height Limits
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).
Building Setbacks: Structure Height Limits
Some RestrictionsLAMC § 12.21.1
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 ...
Lot Coverage Limits
In LA's R1 Zone outside Hillside and Coastal areas, all buildings and accessory buildings combined may not exceed 45% of the lot area (a 0.45 Residential Floor Area ratio), with additional massing controls for taller structures.
Building Setbacks: Lot Coverage
Some RestrictionsLAMC § 12.08 C.5 (R1 One-Family Zone — Maximum Residential Floor Area)
5. Maximum Residential Floor Area and Massing. (Amended by Ord. No. 184,802, Eff. 3/17/17.) (a) R1. For a lot located in a Hillside Area or Coastal Zone, the maximum floor area shall comply with Section 12.21.1 A.1. of this Code. For lots outside of a Hillside Area or Coastal Zone, the maximum Residential Floor Area contained in all buildings and accessory buildings shall not exceed 45 percen...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Los Angeles city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Los Angeles County →