Title 9 — Zoning and Subdivisions
Chapter 9-16 — MLDR MEDIUM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
Laguna Hills Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Laguna Hills
§ 9-16.010. Purpose and intent. ¶
The medium low density residential district is established to provide for medium low density attached or detached residential neighborhoods. This district is characterized by small lot single family homes, patio homes, duplexes, condominiums, and townhouses.
(Prior code § 9-09.010; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part))
§ 9-16.020. Permitted uses. ¶
Table 9-16.020 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 9-16.020 MEDIUM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL USES |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Uses | Permitted | Accessory | Reference |
| Accessory dwelling unit | P | See Chapter9-68 | |
| Accessory structure | P | See Chapter9-70 | |
| Animals/pets | ♦ | See Chapter9-56 | |
| Athletic felds | S | ||
| Boarding house | C | ||
| Church/temple | C | ||
| Communication facility | ♦ | See Chapter9-58 | |
| Community care facility | ♦ | See Chapter9-64 | |
| Construction offce | T | ||
| Drainage facility | P | ||
| Dwelling, duplex | P | ||
| Dwelling, multiple-family | S | ||
| Dwelling, single-family attached | P | ||
| Dwelling, single-family detached | P | ||
| 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 | |
| Greenhouse | P | ||
| Guest quarters/guest house | P | ||
| Home occupation | ♦ | See Chapter9-60 | |
| Library, public | C | ||
| Manufactured home | S | ||
| Mobilehome | S |
| Table 9-16.020 MEDIUM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL USES |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Uses | Permitted | Accessory | Reference |
| Park, public/private | S | ||
| Recreation facility, private | P | ||
| Recreational vehicle storage, private | P | ||
| School, private | C | ||
| School, public | C | ||
| Senior center | C | ||
| Supportive housing | ♦ | See Chapter9-64 | |
| Swim club | C | ||
| Tennis club | C | ||
| Transitional housing | ♦ | See Chapter9-64 |
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 § 9-09.020; 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 § 8; Ord. 2018-7 § 7)
§ 9-16.030. Applicable areas. ¶
The regulations and standards contained in this section shall apply to all properties designated as medium low density residential on the city zoning map.
(Prior code § 9-09.030; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part))
§ 9-16.040. Animal husbandry. ¶
Limited animal husbandry is permitted by this zone. Chapter 9-56 of this code prescribes standards for the keeping of animals. It is the intent of this zone to restrict the keeping of animals to typical domestic varieties. (Prior code § 9-09.040; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part))
§ 9-16.050. Standards. ¶
The standards applicable to this district are shown within Table 9-16.050. Some medium low density residential properties may be further limited as to use or development due to application of hillside design requirements contained in Chapter 9-50 of this code.
| Table 9-16.050 MEDIUM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONING STANDARDS |
|
|---|---|
| Item | Standard |
| Minimum lot size | 7,200 sq. ft. |
| Minimum lot width: | |
| Standard lot | 60 ft. |
| Cul-de-sac | 30 ft. |
| Flag lot | 20 ft. |
| Minimum lot depth | 80 ft. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 60% |
| Maximum foor area ratio (FAR) | 0.55 (includes garages)*# |
| Table 9-16.050 MEDIUM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONING STANDARDS |
|
|---|---|
| Item | Standard |
| Maximum density | 6.5 – 12.5 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 All front yard setback areas except those used for a lawful driveway, and pedestrian walkway not to exceed fve feet in width, shall be landscaped** |
| Minimum side yard setback: | |
| Interior | 5 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 |
| Signage | See Chapter9-42 |
Notes:
- Properties that exceed the .55 FAR may request additional square footage through a minor site development permit.
Maximum FAR applies only to single-family detached properties.
** Landscaped means the planting and maintenance (live, healthy, and weed free condition) of some combination of trees, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, flowers, or lawns.
(Prior code § 9-09.050; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part); Ord. 2001-7 § 2 (part), 2001; Ord. 2003-3 Exh. A § 2)
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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