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Building Setbacks & Zoning in Los Angeles County, CA (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 18 cities in Los Angeles County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Setback Rules

In unincorporated LA County residential zones, minimum front yards range from 15–20 feet depending on the zone, interior side yards require at least 5 feet, and rear yards require 15 feet.

Building Setbacks: Setback Rules

Some Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code § 22.18.040(C)

C.Required Yards. Except as specified otherwise, Table 22.18.040-A, below, identifies the minimum yard depths for Zones R-A, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5 as follows: Table 22.18.040-A: Minimum Yard depths for Residential Zones Zones Front Corner Side Corner Side—Reversed Corner Lot Interior Side Rear R-A, R-1, R-2 20 feet 5 feet 10 feet 5 feet 15 feet R-3 15 feet 5 feet 7.5 feet 5 feet 15 feet R...

Structure Height Limits

Most single-family and lower-density residential zones in unincorporated LA County cap all buildings at 35 feet above grade, while the high-density R-5 zone allows up to 65 feet with a step-back requirement near lower-density zones.

Building Setbacks: Structure Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code § 22.18.040(D)

D.Maximum Height.1.Zones R-A, R-1, R-2, and R-3. Except as specified otherwise, every residence and every other building and structure shall not exceed a height of 35 feet above grade.2.Zone R-4. Except as specified otherwise, every building and structure shall not exceed a height of 13 times the buildable area.3.Zone R-5. Every building and structure shall not exceed a height of 65 feet above ...

Lot Coverage Limits

In Los Angeles County's unincorporated Residential Planned Development (RPD) zone, buildings built as a planned residential development under a Conditional Use Permit cannot cover more than 50 percent of the net lot area, though common recreational buildings are exempt from that cap.

Los Angeles County RPD Building Coverage Limit

Some Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code Sec. 22.18.060.C.5

Buildings shall not occupy more than 50 percent of the net area, except that common recreational buildings are excluded from this building coverage limitation.

Building Setbacks & Zoning by City in Los Angeles County

18 cities in Los Angeles County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

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