Bell M zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

M (Manufacturing Zone) is a zoning district in Bell. Every value below was read from the Bell Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.

Development standards in M

The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.

Maximum building height	70 ft Applies: Not within 50 ft of a lot line shared with an R-1 lot; within 50 ft the R-1 height limit applies § 17.40.040 · code text No building or structure in the M zone shall exceed a height of 70 feet; provided that where a lot in the M zone has one or more common lot lines with a lot zone R-1, no building or structure on such M zoned lot, located within 50 feet of such common lot line, shall exceed a maximum height permitted for buildings or structures in the R-1 zone.
Minimum front setback	0 ft Applies: where driveways enter the front wall, that part of the wall must be at least 20 ft from the front lot line § 17.40.040 · code text No front yard shall be required, except that where permitted driveways enter the front wall of a building, that portion of such front wall shall be located not less than 20 feet from the front lot line.
Minimum lot size	5,000 sq ft § 17.40.040 · code text The minimum required lot area of each lot in the M zone shall be 5,000 square feet.
Maximum lot coverage	all of the lot area Applies: except for required yard areas and areas required for off-street parking facilities § 17.40.040 · code text Buildings, including accessory buildings and structures, may cover all of the area of any lot in the M zone, except for required yard areas, and areas required for off-street parking facilities.

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in M:

Minimum front setback: 20 ft — where permitted driveways enter the front wall of a building § 17.40.040
Minimum side setback: 10 ft — side lot line abutting any lot located in any of the R zones § 17.40.040
Minimum side setback: 20 ft — where a permitted driveway enters the side wall of a building § 17.40.040
Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — rear lot line separates the lot from any lot located in an R zone § 17.40.040
Minimum rear setback: 5 ft — rear lot line separated from a residentially zoned lot by a public alley § 17.40.040

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, side setback, rear setback, FAR, density limit for M in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Bell Municipal Code.

Other Bell zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Bell's M zone?

70 ft (not within 50 ft of a lot line shared with an R-1 lot; within 50 ft the R-1 height limit applies) — Bell Municipal Code § 17.40.040.

What is the minimum front setback in Bell's M zone?

0 ft (where driveways enter the front wall, that part of the wall must be at least 20 ft from the front lot line) — Bell Municipal Code § 17.40.040.

What is the minimum lot size in Bell's M zone?

5,000 sq ft — Bell Municipal Code § 17.40.040.

What is the maximum lot coverage in Bell's M zone?

all of the lot area (except for required yard areas and areas required for off-street parking facilities) — Bell Municipal Code § 17.40.040.

General information, not legal advice.