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Title 9 — Zoning and Subdivisions

Chapter 9-12 — ER ESTATE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT

Laguna Hills Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Laguna Hills

§ 9-12.010. Purpose and intent.

The estate residential district is established to provide for low density, rural, and equestrian oriented residential neighborhoods in hillside areas. This district is characterized by large lot single family homes permitting large animal husbandry.

(Prior code § 9-07.010; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part))

§ 9-12.020. Permitted uses.

Table 9-12.020 contains a listing of permitted uses, and accessory uses within the district. Uses in the table are permitted subject to the permit criteria referenced. Any use not included shall be considered prohibited.

Table 9-12.020
ESTATE RESIDENTIAL USES
Uses Permitted Accessory Reference
Accessory dwelling unit P See Chapter9-68
Accessory structure P See Chapter9-70
Animals/pets See Chapter9-56
Apiary P Subject to Section9-12.060
Athletic felds S
Church/temple C
Communication facility See Chapter9-58
Community care facility See Chapter9-64
Construction offce T
Drainage facility P
Dwelling, single-family detached P
Equitation facility C
Family day care – large See Chapter9-64
Family day care – small See Chapter9-64
Fire/police station C
Game court See Chapter9-70
Garage and/or yard sales See Chapter9-62
Green house P
Guest quarters/guest house P
Home occupation See Chapter9-60
Library, public C
Manufactured home S
Mobilehome S
Park, public/private S
Recreation facility, private P
Recreational vehicle storage, private P
Table 9-12.020
ESTATE RESIDENTIAL USES
Uses Permitted Accessory Reference
Riding club C
Riding and hiking trails P
School, private C
School, public C
Senior center C
Stable, private P
Supportive housing See Chapter9-64
Swim club C
Tennis club C
Transitional housing See Chapter9-64
Wholesale nurseries C

Note: Use is permitted subject to issuance of:

C = Conditional use permit (CUP)

S = Site development permit (SDP)

T = Temporary Use Permit (TUP)

P = Permitted

  • ♦ = Special requirements

(Prior code § 9-07.020; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part); Ord. 2002-1 Exh. A § 3 (part); Ord. 2003-5 Exh. A § C; Ord. 2011-4 § 1 (Exh. A (part)); Ord. 2012-5 § 6; Ord. 2018-3 § 6; Ord. 2018-7 § 5)

§ 9-12.030. Applicable areas.

The regulations and standards contained in this section shall apply to all properties designated as estate residential on the city zoning map.

(Prior code § 9-07.030; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part))

§ 9-12.040. Animal husbandry.

Large animal husbandry is permitted by this zone. Chapter 9-56 of this code prescribes standards for the keeping of animals. While large animals are permitted, it is not the purpose to establish standard agricultural pursuits within this district. It is consistent with the intent of this zone to allow limited commercial boarding, care provision and breeding facilities, and maintenance of private stables provided such properties meet required standards of this code. (Prior code § 9-07.040; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part))

§ 9-12.050. Standards.

The standards applicable to this district are shown within Table 9-12.050. Some estate residential properties may be further limited as to use or development due to application of hillside design requirements as contained in Chapter 9-50 of this code.

Table 9-12.050
ESTATE RESIDENTIAL ZONING STANDARDS
Item Standard
Minimum lot size 10,000 sq. ft.
Minimum lot width:
Standard lot 80 ft.
Cul-de-sac 30 ft.
Flag lot 20 ft.
Table 9-12.050
ESTATE RESIDENTIAL ZONING STANDARDS
Item Standard
Minimum lot depth 100 ft.
Maximum lot coverage 35%
Maximum density 0 – 3.5 DUs/AC (gross)
Maximum building height 35 ft.
Minimum front yard setback 20 ft. from ultimate right-of-way
15 ft. from access connection to main lot for fag lots
Minimum side yard setback:
Interior 8 ft.
Street 10 ft.
Flag lot 10 ft.
Minimum rear yard setback:
Standard lot 25 ft.
Through lot 25 ft.
Cul-de-sac/gore shaped lots 15 ft.
Minimum building separation:
Main**→**Main 10 ft.
Main**→**Accessory 2.5 ft.
Accessory**→**Accessory 2.5 ft.
Parking standards See Chapter9-44
Signs See Chapter9-42

(Prior code § 9-07.050; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part))

§ 9-12.060. Keeping of bees.

Apiaries, as defined in Section 9-04.010 , are permitted on single-family residential property within the Estate Residential zoning district subject to the following provisions:

  • A. It shall be unlawful for any person to have, keep, or maintain any apiary pursuant to this section unless the owner of the apiary first registers the apiary with the city. Apiary registrations are issued by the Community Development Director. Registrations must be renewed annually. New registrations shall be accompanied by the apiary registration fee, established by resolution of the City Council. Any registration can be revoked by the Community Development Director when an apiary owner fails to maintain the apiary in accordance with the property maintenance standards related to apiaries contained in Chapter 9-74 .

  • B. The notification of all property owners and tenants of abutting properties is required prior to the issuance of any new apiary registration. The city shall mail the notice and shall issue the registration ten days following such notice, unless, pursuant to Section 9-74.050(S)(8), a resident of an abutting property presents evidence of a medically certified severe allergy (anaphylaxis) to the sting of honey bees.

  • C. All apiaries shall be maintained in accordance with the backyard beekeeping administrative regulations. The backyard beekeeping administrative regulations are administrative regulations established by the Community Development Director intended to provide guidance, instruction, and operational requirements to avoid nuisance issues arising from improper siting or management of an apiary due to lack of knowledge or neglect.

  • (Ord. 2018-3 § 7)

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Contents — Laguna Hills Zoning Code
Laguna Hills Zoning Code
  1. Title 9 — Zoning and Subdivisions
    Overview
    1. Chapter 9-02 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    2. Chapter 9-04 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Chapter 9-06 — GENERAL PLAN
    4. Chapter 9-08 — SPECIFIC PLANS
    5. Chapter 9-10 — ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED
    6. Chapter 9-11 — OVERLAY DISTRICTS
    7. Chapter 9-12 — ER ESTATE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    8. Chapter 9-14 — LDR LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    9. Chapter 9-16 — MLDR MEDIUM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    10. Chapter 9-18 — MDR MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    11. Chapter 9-20 — HDR HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    12. Chapter 9-21 — PCR PLANNED COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    13. Chapter 9-22 — OP OFFICE PROFESSIONAL DISTRICT
    14. Chapter 9-24 — VC VILLAGE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    15. Chapter 9-26 — FC FREEWAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    16. Chapter 9-28 — CC COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    17. Chapter 9-29 — NMU NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED USE DISTRICT
    18. Chapter 9-30 — MXU MIXED USE DISTRICT
    19. Chapter 9-32 — C/PI COMMUNITY/PRIVATE INSTITUTION DISTRICT
    20. Chapter 9-34 — OS-1 PARKS DISTRICT
    21. Chapter 9-36 — OS-2 DRAINAGE FACILITIES DISTRICT
    22. Chapter 9-38 — OS-3 LANDSCAPE CORRIDORS DISTRICT
    23. Chapter 9-39 — PC PLANNED COMMUNITY DISTRICT
    24. Chapter 9-40 — DESIGN REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
    25. Chapter 9-41 — OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
    26. Chapter 9-42 — SIGNS AND ADVERTISING DEVICES
    27. Chapter 9-44 — ACCESS AND PARKING
    28. Chapter 9-46 — LANDSCAPING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
    29. Chapter 9-47 — LANDSCAPE WATER EFFICIENCY
    30. Chapter 9-48 — PARKS AND RECREATION DESIGN GUIDELINES
    31. Chapter 9-50 — HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
    32. Chapter 9-52 — GRADING REGULATIONS
    33. Chapter 9-54 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS
    34. Chapter 9-56 — ANIMAL REGULATIONS
    35. Chapter 9-58 — COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
    36. Chapter 9-60 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
    37. Chapter 9-62 — TEMPORARY USES
    38. Chapter 9-64 — COMMUNITY CARE FACILITIES
    39. Chapter 9-66 — FLOOD MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
    40. Chapter 9-68 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
    41. Chapter 9-70 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
    42. Chapter 9-72 — HOUSING DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES
    43. Chapter 9-74 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
    44. Chapter 9-76 — GROWTH MANAGEMENT
    45. Chapter 9-78 — CONGESTION MANAGEMENT
    46. Chapter 9-80 — PUBLIC WORKS/ENGINEERING STANDARDS
    47. Chapter 9-82 — WASTE MANAGEMENT/HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
    48. Chapter 9-84 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    49. Chapter 9-86 — SUBDIVISIONS
    50. Chapter 9-87 — RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS
    51. Chapter 9-88 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
    52. Chapter 9-90 — ZONING AMENDMENTS
    53. Chapter 9-92 — APPLICATION PROCESS AND SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
    54. Chapter 9-93 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISA…
    55. Chapter 9-94 — FEES AND DEPOSITS
    56. Chapter 9-96 — HEARINGS AND APPEALS
    57. Chapter 9-98 — CODE COMPLIANCE PROCESS
    58. Chapter 9-100 — VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
    59. Chapter 9-102 — URBAN VILLAGE TRAFFIC IMPACT/MITIGATION FEE PR…
    60. Chapter 9-103 — MARIJUANA BUSINESSES

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