La Cañada Flintridge · Zoning · R-3
La Cañada Flintridge R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In La Cañada Flintridge's R-3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft (3 stories) tall and the front setback is 5 ft average, with the conditions listed below (La Cañada Flintridge code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (building or building segment located within 50 feet of a street right-of-way)
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories (building or building segment located within 50 feet of a street right-of-way)
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft average (ground floor and second floor)
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft (interior side yard; a corner side averages 5 ft on ground and second floors, 10 ft on the third)
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft (15 ft when adjoining an R-1 zone)
- Maximum lot coverage: 80% of net lot area
- Maximum density: 30 dwelling units per acre (a minimum of 25 dwelling units per acre also applies)
R-3 (MULTI-FAMILY ZONE) is a zoning district in La Cañada Flintridge. Every value below was read from the La Cañada Flintridge 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 R-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 | 35 ft Applies: building or building segment located within 50 feet of a street right-of-way § 11.13.050 · code textFor any building or building segment located within 50 feet of a street right-of-way, building height shall not exceed three stories and 35 feet maximum roof height, measured from the curb elevation adjacent the building or building segment to the highest point of the building or building segment. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories Applies: building or building segment located within 50 feet of a street right-of-way § 11.13.050 · code textFor any building or building segment located within 50 feet of a street right-of-way, building height shall not exceed three stories and 35 feet maximum roof height, measured from the curb elevation adjacent the building or building segment to the highest point of the building or building segment. |
| Minimum front setback | 5 ft average Applies: ground floor and second floor § 11.13.050 · code textFront: an average of five feet from the front property line for the ground floor and second floor, and an average of ten feet for the third floor. |
| Minimum side setback | 0 ft Applies: interior side yard; a corner side averages 5 ft on ground and second floors, 10 ft on the third § 11.13.050 · code textInterior side: zero feet, or when adjoining an R-1 zone 15 feet for the ground floor and 20 feet for the second and third floor. |
| Minimum rear setback | 5 ft Applies: 15 ft when adjoining an R-1 zone § 11.13.050 · code textRear: five feet, or 15 feet when adjoining a R-1 zone. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 80% of net lot area § 11.13.050 · code textA maximum lot coverage of 80% of net lot area. |
| Maximum density | 30 dwelling units per acre Applies: a minimum of 25 dwelling units per acre also applies § 11.13.050 · code textSites shall be developed with a minimum of 25 dwelling units per acre and shall be developed with a maximum of 30 dwelling units per acre. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3:
- Maximum building height: 35 ft, up to 20% more — buildings or parts more than 50 feet from a street right-of-way § 11.13.050
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories, up to 20% more — buildings or parts more than 50 feet from a street right-of-way § 11.13.050
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft average — third floor § 11.13.050
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft — interior side when adjoining an R-1 zone; ground floor § 11.13.050
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft — interior side when adjoining an R-1 zone; second and third floor § 11.13.050
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — when adjoining a R-1 zone § 11.13.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, FAR limit for R-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code.
Other La Cañada Flintridge zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in La Cañada Flintridge's R-3 zone?
35 ft (building or building segment located within 50 feet of a street right-of-way) — La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code § 11.13.050.
What is the maximum number of stories in La Cañada Flintridge's R-3 zone?
3 stories (building or building segment located within 50 feet of a street right-of-way) — La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code § 11.13.050.
What is the minimum front setback in La Cañada Flintridge's R-3 zone?
5 ft average (ground floor and second floor) — La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code § 11.13.050.
What is the minimum side setback in La Cañada Flintridge's R-3 zone?
0 ft (interior side yard; a corner side averages 5 ft on ground and second floors, 10 ft on the third) — La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code § 11.13.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in La Cañada Flintridge's R-3 zone?
5 ft (15 ft when adjoining an R-1 zone) — La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code § 11.13.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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