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Title 9 — Zoning and Subdivisions

Chapter 9-21 — PCR PLANNED COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT

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

§ 9-21.010. Purpose and intent.

The purpose and intent of the planned community residential district is to provide for a wide range of medium-low density to high density multifamily housing types, which include apartments, attached townhomes, condominiums, and clustered multifamily arrangements. Appropriate land uses include residential and recreational land uses such as parks and open space, as set forth in the land use element in the city’s general plan. (Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)))

§ 9-21.020. Permitted uses.

Table 9-21.020 identifies the 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 9-21.020
PLANNED COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL USES
Uses Permitted Accessory Reference
Accessory structure P See Chapter9-70
Animals/pets See Chapter9-56
Athletic felds S
Communication facility See Chapter9-58
Community care facility See Chapter9-64
Construction offce T
Drainage facility P
Dwelling, duplex P
Dwelling, multiple-family P
Dwelling, single-family attached 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
Park, public/private S
Recreation facility, private P See Chapter9-70
Recreational vehicle storage, private P
Table 9-21.020
PLANNED COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL USES
Uses Permitted Accessory Reference
Senior center C
Snack bar/market C Considered in conjunction with
park/athletic feld/clubhouse facility
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

  • (Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)); Ord. 2011-4 § 1 (Exh. A (part)); Ord. 2012-5 § 11)

§ 9-21.030. Applicable areas.

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

(Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)))

§ 9-21.040. Animal husbandry.

Large animal husbandry is not permitted by this zone. Chapter 9-56 prescribes standards for the keeping of animals. It is the purpose of this zone to restrict such animals to typical domestic varieties. (Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)))

§ 9-21.050. Standards.

The standards applicable to this district are shown within Table 9-21.050. Some planned community residential properties may be further limited as to use or development due to application of hillside design requirements as contained in Chapter 9-50 . Deviations from the standards, which further the purpose and intent of this zone, may be granted via a conditional use permit.

Table 9-21.050
PLANNED COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL ZONING STANDARDS
Item Standard
Minimum lot size No minimum.
Minimum lot width No minimum.
Minimum lot depth No minimum.
Maximum lot coverage 50%
Maximum density 24 units/acre on any individual project (Note: Maximum
600 dwelling units allowed; an average of 15.3 units/acre
over the entire PCR zoning district.)
Maximum building height 40 ft.
Minimum setback 10 ft. minimum from any exterior property line. There is
no setback requirement from interior property lines.
Minimum open space 30% (including trails and parks)
Minimum landscape coverage (includes open space) 35% (including trails and parks)
Table 9-21.050
PLANNED COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL ZONING STANDARDS
Item Standard
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

(Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)))

§ 9-21.060. Compatibility standards.

The following standards are intended to ensure the compatibility of uses between the planned community residential area and adjacent residential neighborhoods.

  • A. Building Height Limitations. Staggered building heights shall be used to ensure that hillside neighborhoods surrounding the planned community residential area retain view corridors.

  • B. Buffer Area. Buffer/transitional areas, such as reasonable setbacks and extensive landscaping, shall be established between the planned community residential area and the adjacent residential neighborhoods.

  • (Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)))

§ 9-21.070. Special standards.

The following special standards shall apply to the planned community residential area to maintain the current number of existing rental opportunities on-site and add park and recreation opportunities.

  • A. Affordable Housing. The planned community residential area shall provide a minimum of one hundred two (102) affordable housing units to low and moderate income residents, and shall implement the goals of the city’s housing element.

  • B. Parks and Recreation. The planned community residential area shall provide up to thirteen (13) acres of park and recreation amenities.

  • (Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)))

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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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