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Title 25 — Zoning

Chapter 25.14 — R-3 RESIDENTIAL HIGH DENSITY ZONE

Laguna Beach Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-06 · Laguna Beach

§ 25.14.002. Intent and purpose.

This zone is intended for high density residential use, free from commercial and industrial activities, maintaining a design character in keeping with the intent, purpose and guidelines of Chapter 25.40 , Design Review. It is intended to implement the applicable provisions of the general plan, as amended from time to time.

(Ord. 209, 1940; Ord. 248, 1945; Ord. 809 § 1, 1974)

§ 25.14.004. Uses permitted.

Buildings, structures and land shall be used and buildings and structures shall hereafter be erected, designed, structurally altered or enlarged only for the following uses:

  • (A) Single-family and two-family dwellings, except those devoted to time-share use;

  • (B) Multifamily dwellings, except those devoted to time-share use;

  • (C) Supportive or affordable housing;

  • (D) Child care, subject to the standards in Chapter 25.08 , Definitions and Standards;

  • (E) Guest houses and guest rooms, subject to the density standards of Section 25.14.008 ;

  • (F) Public parks, playgrounds and beaches, and such recreation, refreshment and service uses and buildings as are purely accessory and incidental thereto; and

  • (G) Residential care facility, small licensed, subject to: (1) no outdoor smoking, (2) fire and building code inspection and compliance, and (3) maximum occupancy of six persons.

(Ord. 209, 1940; Ord. 809 § 1, 1974; Ord. 832 § 5, 1975; Ord. 988 § 4, 1980; Ord. 1550 § 9, 2011; Ord. 1575 § 9, 2013; Ord. 1680 § 4, 2022; Ord. 1712, 3/11/2025)

§ 25.14.005. Uses permitted subject to an administrative use permit.

The following uses may be permitted subject to the granting of an Administrative Use Permit as provided for in Section 25.05.020 :

  • (A) Family day care home, large, subject to the following standards:

    • (1) The operator of the facility must be licensed pursuant to Chapter 3.5 or 3.6 of the California Health and Safety Code ;

    • (2) A business license shall be obtained in accordance with Chapter 5.08 , Business Licenses;

    • (3) No signs identifying the day care facility are permitted other than those permitted pursuant to Section 25.54.010 ;

    • (4) Parking shall be in compliance with Chapter 25.52 ;

    • (5) Hours of operation shall be limited to the hours between seven a.m. and seven p.m.;

    • (6) Outdoor play for children shall not begin before nine-thirty a.m.;

    • (7) The facility shall comply with State Fire Marshal fire and life safety standards.

  • (B) Parking or storage of recreational vehicles (meaning any travel trailer, boat, camper, motor home, van, travel and utility trailer or converted bus) that is more than twenty feet in length and more than six feet in height, subject to the following:

    • (1) The vehicle shall be owned by the owner of the property or the tenant who is the primary resident of the property.

    • (2) The outdoor parking of such vehicles shall not be closer than five feet to a property line, shall not be parked in the front or side yards and shall be located on a paved, or any other stable, all-weather surface approved by the director of community development.

    • (3) The vehicle shall not be connected to electricity, sewer or water.

    • (4) The vehicle shall not be used, either temporarily or permanently, for sleeping or living purposes.

    • (5) The vehicle shall not be used for storage of goods, materials or equipment other than those that constitute part of the unit or are essential for its immediate use.

    • (6) The vehicle shall be in operable condition.

    • (7) The vehicle shall be effectively screened from a public right-of-way and/or adjacent residences with fencing and/or landscaping to the maximum extent allowed under the

zoning regulations.

All vehicles being parked or stored as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this subsection and not conforming to the provisions hereof shall within three months after receiving appropriate notice from the community development department, either obtain approval of an administrative use permit or cause the vehicle to be removed from the property.

(Ord. 1088 § 6, 1985; Ord. 1353 § 4, 1999; Ord. 1474 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1651 § 4, 2020)

§ 25.14.006. Uses permitted subject to conditional use permit.

The following uses may be permitted subject to the granting of a conditional use permit as provided for in Section 25.05.030 :

  • (A) Residential facility, assisted living;

  • (B) Lodges;

  • (C) Nursery school;

  • (D) Recreation facilities, municipal and public;

  • (E) Public and private schools;

  • (F) Structures crossing subdivided lot lines, or structures attached at common lot lines. See criteria established in Section 25.14.008(B)(2) ;

  • (G) Utility substation;

  • (H) Artists' joint living and working units, as defined in Chapter 25.16 ;

  • (I) Bed and breakfast inn, as defined and specified in Chapter 25.22 of this title;

  • (J) Church; and

  • (K) Such other uses as the planning commission may deem, after a public hearing, to be consistent with the intent and purpose of this zoning district and similar to and no more obnoxious or detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare, than other permitted uses.

(Ord. 209, 1940; Ord. 525, 1963; Ord. 809 § 1, 1974; Ord. 832 § 6, 1975; Ord. 942 § 4, 1978; Ord. 992 § 6, 1981; Ord. 1063 § 3, 1984; Ord. 1223 § 1, 1991; Ord. 1320 § 3, 1996; Ord. 1346 § 4, 1998; Ord. 1550 § 10, 2011; Ord. 1575 § 10, 2013; Ord. 1680 § 5, 2022; Ord. 1712, 3/11/2025)

§ 25.14.008. Property development standards.

The following property development standards shall apply to all land and structures in the R-3 zone:

  • (A) Lot Area and Dimension Standards.

    • (1) Lot Area. Each lot shall have a minimum area of four thousand square feet, except where, on the official zoning map, a number greater than four thousand follows and is connected with a hyphen with the zone symbol. Such number shall designate the minimum lot area in square feet. Example: R-3—6,000.

    • (2) Lot Dimensions.

      • (a) Width. Each lot shall have a minimum width of fifty feet.

      • (b) Depth. Each lot shall have a minimum depth of eighty feet.

  • (B) Density and Bulk Standards.

    • (1) There shall be a minimum of two thousand square feet of net lot area for each dwelling unit, guest house or guest room, except where a number following the zone symbol or minimum lot area requirement is greater than two thousand but less than the minimum lot area requirement. Such number shall be the minimum number of square feet of land area required for each dwelling unit, guest house, guest room or combination thereof on any lot.

    • (2) Building Across Subdivided Lot Lines. A conditional use permit may be granted by the board of adjustment to allow the construction of buildings to cross a subdivided lot line or to be attached at the common lot line, provided that the total number of units and the number of attached units within any building shall not exceed that which could be constructed on each lot separately. This requirement shall not apply to a single-family dwelling crossing a subdivided lot line.

  • (C) Yard Area, Building Setback, Open Area and Coverage Standards.

    • (1) The general provisions of Chapter 25.50 , "General Yard and Open Space Provisions," shall apply.

    • (2) Front Yards. Each lot shall maintain a front yard or yards of not less than twenty feet. Front yards shall not be used for the storage of trailers, boats, campers or other materials or the regular or constant parking of automobiles or other vehicles. See additional front yard requirements in Sections 25.50.004(D) and (E) and 25.50.008(E) of this title.

    • (3) Side Yards. Each lot shall maintain side yards, each of which shall be at least ten percent of the average lot width, with a maximum requirement of twelve feet and a minimum of four feet. See additional side yard requirements in Section 25.50.004(F) of this title.

    • (4) Rear Yards. Each lot shall maintain a rear yard of at least ten feet. See additional rear yard requirements in Sections 25.50.004(D) and 25.50.008(E) .

    • (5) Space Between Buildings. The provisions of Section 25.50.014 shall apply.

    • (6) Open Space Requirements. Every lot occupied by more than one dwelling unit shall maintain an open space for each dwelling unit, guest house and guest room, which area shall meet the criteria established in Section 25.50.010 and shall be increased by fifty square feet for each attached dwelling unit, guest house or guest room.

    • (7) Fences, Walls. The provisions of Section 25.50.012 shall apply.

  • (8) Swimming Pools. The provisions of Section 25.50.016 shall apply.

    • (9) Subterranean Parking Structures. Parking structures to satisfy the parking requirements of the uses allowed may encroach into required yard areas up to within five feet of the front property line and ten feet of the curb face, provided that such structure does not project above the level of the adjacent natural grade.
  • (D) Building Height.

    • (1) No new building, additions to existing buildings or structures in this zone shall have a height greater than permitted under the following table when measured from the finished or natural grade, whichever is more restrictive:
Slope in Percent Height Permitted
(in feet)
0 to 15 30
16 31
17 32
Slope in Percent Height Permitted
(in feet)
18 33
19 34
20 and over 35
  • (2) In addition to subsection (D)(1) above, building height shall be limited to the following:
Rear Lot Line Above Street
Through Lot
Rear Lot Line Below Street
(slope in percent)
Height Permitted Above Rear Lot Line
Height Permitted Above Upper Curb
Elevation
Height Permitted Above Curb Elevation
(in feet)
0 to 5 30
5+ to 10 25
Over 10 20

(3) See Section 25.50.004(D) for further relationship of building height to yard requirements.

  • (E) Parking Standards. The provisions of Chapter 25.52 shall apply.

  • (F) Access and Improvements. The provisions of Chapter 25.53 shall apply.

  • (G) Signs. The provisions of Chapter 25.54 shall apply.

(H) Design Review. The provisions of Section 25.05.040 shall apply. (Ord. 209, 1940; Ord. 431, 1958; Ord. 622, 1969; Ord. 632, 1969; Ord. 641, 1970; Ord. 809 § 1, 1974; Ord. 832 §§ 7, 8, 1975; Ord. 1054 §§ 1, 2, 1983; Ord. 1094 § 11, 1985; Ord. 1187 § 3(4), 1989; Ord. 1223 § 1, 1991; Ord. 1416 § 11, 2002; Ord. 1474 § 1, 2007)

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Contents — Laguna Beach Zoning Code
Laguna Beach Zoning Code
  1. Title 25 — Zoning
    Overview
    1. Chapter 25.01 — GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADOPTION OF OFFICIAL LAND …
    2. Chapter 25.02 — ESTABLISHING DISTRICTS AND LIMITING THE USES O…
    3. Chapter 25.05 — ADMINISTRATION
    4. Chapter 25.06 — INTERPRETATIONS, PURPOSE, CONFLICT
    5. Chapter 25.07 — COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
    6. Chapter 25.08 — DEFINITIONS AND STANDARDS
    7. Chapter 25.10 — R-1 RESIDENTIAL LOW DENSITY ZONE
    8. Chapter 25.12 — R-2 RESIDENTIAL MEDIUM DENSITY ZONE
    9. Chapter 25.14 — R-3 RESIDENTIAL HIGH DENSITY ZONE
    10. Chapter 25.15 — R/HP RESIDENTIAL/HILLSIDE PROTECTION ZONE
    11. Chapter 25.16 — ARTISTS' WORK/LIVE
    12. Chapter 25.17 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY …
    13. Chapter 25.18 — LOCAL BUSINESS—PROFESSIONAL ZONE
    14. Chapter 25.19 — C-N COMMERCIAL-NEIGHBORHOOD ZONE
    15. Chapter 25.20 — C-1 LOCAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
    16. Chapter 25.21 — CH-M COMMERCIAL HOTEL-MOTEL ZONE
    17. Chapter 25.22 — BED AND BREAKFAST INNS
    18. Chapter 25.23 — SHORT-TERM LODGING
    19. Chapter 25.24 — LAGUNITA ZONE
    20. Chapter 25.28 — I INSTITUTIONAL ZONE
    21. Chapter 25.32 — M-1A LIGHT INDUSTRIAL ZONE
    22. Chapter 25.33 — T TIDAL AND SUBMERGED LANDS ZONE
    23. Chapter 25.34 — A-R AGRICULTURE-RECREATION ZONE
    24. Chapter 25.35 — SPECIFIC PLAN (ARCH BEACH HEIGHTS)
    25. Chapter 25.36 — SYCAMORE HILLS ZONING ORDINANCE
    26. Chapter 25.37 — PUBLIC LANDS (PL) ZONE
    27. Chapter 25.38 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
    28. Chapter 25.39 — SPECIFIC PLAN (SARAH THURSTON PARK)
    29. Chapter 25.40 — DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN
    30. Chapter 25.42 — REC RECREATION ZONE
    31. Chapter 25.43 — VILLAGE COMMUNITY ZONE
    32. Chapter 25.44 — THREE ARCH BAY ZONE
    33. Chapter 25.45 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
    34. Chapter 25.46 — MH MOBILEHOME ZONE
    35. Chapter 25.47 — CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS
    36. Chapter 25.48 — LAGUNA CANYON ANNEXATION AREA SPECIFIC PLAN
    37. Chapter 25.49 — DIAMOND/CRESTVIEW SPECIFIC PLAN
    38. Chapter 25.50 — GENERAL YARD AND OPEN SPACE PROVISIONS
    39. Chapter 25.51 — MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT PROVISIONS
    40. Chapter 25.52 — PARKING REQUIREMENTS
    41. Chapter 25.53 — ACCESS AND IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
    42. Chapter 25.54 — SIGN REGULATIONS
    43. Chapter 25.55 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
    44. Chapter 25.56 — NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS, LOTS AND USES
    45. Chapter 25.62 — CERTIFICATES OF USE AND OCCUPANCY
    46. Chapter 25.80 — ENFORCEMENT, LEGAL PROCEDURE, PENALTIES
    47. Chapter 25.85 — LIBRARY IMPACT FEE
    48. Chapter 25.90 — INDIVIDUAL ENACTMENT OF SECTIONS—CONSTITUTIONA…
    49. Chapter 25.92 — REPEAL
    50. Chapter 25.94 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
    51. Chapter 25.95 — SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ONEAND TWO-UNIT DEVE…
    52. Chapter 25.96 — HOUSING PROGRAMS AND INCENTIVES

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