El Segundo C-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

C-3 (General Commercial) is a zoning district in El Segundo. Every value below was read from the El Segundo 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 C-3

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	45 ft Applies: West of Sepulveda Boulevard § 15-5D-3 · code text 2. West of Sepulveda Boulevard: No building or structure shall exceed 45 feet.
Minimum front setback	10 ft § 15-5D-3 · code text 1. Front yard: 10 feet minimum
Minimum side setback	None required Applies: 10 ft if the side yard adjoins a street or abuts residentially zoned property § 15-5D-3 · code text 2. Side yard: None required, unless one of the following conditions exists:
Minimum rear setback	None required Applies: 10 ft if the rear yard adjoins an alley, street or right-of-way, carries the primary access, or abuts non-commercial property. § 15-5D-3 · code text 3. Rear yard: None required, unless one of the following conditions exists:
Minimum lot size	10,000 sq ft § 15-5D-3 · code text B. Lot area: A minimum of 10,000 square feet.
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	1.0 Applies: additional FAR may be granted east of Sepulveda Boulevard with an approved transfer of development rights plan § 15-5D-3 · code text F. Building area: The total net floor area of all buildings shall not exceed the total net square footage of the property multiplied by 1.0 or an FAR of one to one (1:1). Additional FAR may be granted for properties east of Sepulveda Boulevard only, with approval of a transfer of development rights (TDR) plan.

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C-3:

Maximum building height: 200 ft — East of Sepulveda Boulevard § 15-5D-3
Maximum building height: 40 ft — If the subject property abuts residentially zoned property § 15-5D-3
Minimum side setback: 10 ft — If the side yard adjoins a dedicated street § 15-5D-3
Minimum side setback: 10 ft — If the side yard abuts residentially zoned property § 15-5D-3
Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — If the rear yard adjoins an alley, dedicated street, public right-of-way, or if the primary access is through the rear yard § 15-5D-3
Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — If the rear yard abuts property with a non-commercial classification § 15-5D-3

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, density limit for C-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the El Segundo Municipal Code.

Other El Segundo zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in El Segundo's C-3 zone?

45 ft (west of Sepulveda Boulevard) — El Segundo Municipal Code § 15-5D-3.

What is the minimum front setback in El Segundo's C-3 zone?

10 ft — El Segundo Municipal Code § 15-5D-3.

What is the minimum side setback in El Segundo's C-3 zone?

None required (10 ft if the side yard adjoins a street or abuts residentially zoned property) — El Segundo Municipal Code § 15-5D-3.

What is the minimum rear setback in El Segundo's C-3 zone?

None required (10 ft if the rear yard adjoins an alley, street or right-of-way, carries the primary access, or abuts non-commercial property) — El Segundo Municipal Code § 15-5D-3.

What is the minimum lot size in El Segundo's C-3 zone?

10,000 sq ft — El Segundo Municipal Code § 15-5D-3.

General information, not legal advice.