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