Laguna Beach · Zoning · R-1
Laguna Beach R-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Laguna Beach's R-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 25 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 6,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Laguna Beach code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 25 ft (slope 0 to 15 percent; height rises 1 ft for each percent of slope above 15, up to 30 ft at 20 percent and over)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 10% of average lot width, min 3 ft (4 ft minimum when the average lot width is 40 ft or greater)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft (unless the zoning map shows a larger number after the zone symbol; that number is then the minimum)
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 6,000 sq ft (at most one dwelling per lot unless a conditional use permit allows more)
R-1 (Residential Low Density Zone) is a zoning district in Laguna Beach. Every value below was read from the Laguna Beach 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-1
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 | 25 ft Applies: slope 0 to 15 percent; height rises 1 ft for each percent of slope above 15, up to 30 ft at 20 percent and over § 25.10.008 · code textTable row “20 and over”, column “Height Permitted (in feet)”: 30 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 25.10.008 · code textEach lot shall maintain a front yard or front yards of not less than twenty feet. |
| Minimum side setback | 10% of average lot width, min 3 ft Applies: 4 ft minimum when the average lot width is 40 ft or greater § 25.10.008 · code textThe width of each side yard shall be not less than 10 percent of the average lot width, but in no case less than 3 feet; except that when the average lot width is 40 feet or greater, no side yard shall be less than 4 feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 25.10.008 · code textEach lot shall maintain a rear yard of not less than twenty feet, except as noted in Section 25.50.008(E). |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 sq ft Applies: unless the zoning map shows a larger number after the zone symbol; that number is then the minimum § 25.10.008 · code textEach lot shall have a minimum area of six thousand square feet. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 6,000 sq ft Applies: at most one dwelling per lot unless a conditional use permit allows more § 25.10.008 · code textThere shall be a minimum of six thousand square feet of lot area for each dwelling unit; provided, however, that, subject to the conditional use permit provisions of Section 25.05.030, there shall be no more than one dwelling on any one lot. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-1:
- Maximum building height: 26 ft — Slope 16 percent § 25.10.008
- Maximum building height: 27 ft — Slope 17 percent § 25.10.008
- Maximum building height: 28 ft — Slope 18 percent § 25.10.008
- Minimum side setback: 4 ft — When the average lot width is 40 feet or greater § 25.10.008
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, min 3 ft — Triangular, gore-shaped or irregular lots; side yards measured at any point § 25.10.008
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft — May be increased by the design review board when surrounding development patterns have existing rear yards greater than 20 feet § 25.10.008
- Maximum lot coverage: 44% — Lots 4,000 square feet and under § 25.10.008
- Maximum lot coverage: 35% — Lots 8,000 square feet and over § 25.10.008
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, FAR limit for R-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Laguna Beach Municipal Code.
Other Laguna Beach zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Laguna Beach's R-1 zone?
25 ft (slope 0 to 15 percent; height rises 1 ft for each percent of slope above 15, up to 30 ft at 20 percent and over) — Laguna Beach Municipal Code § 25.10.008.
What is the minimum front setback in Laguna Beach's R-1 zone?
20 ft — Laguna Beach Municipal Code § 25.10.008.
What is the minimum side setback in Laguna Beach's R-1 zone?
10% of average lot width, min 3 ft (4 ft minimum when the average lot width is 40 ft or greater) — Laguna Beach Municipal Code § 25.10.008.
What is the minimum rear setback in Laguna Beach's R-1 zone?
20 ft — Laguna Beach Municipal Code § 25.10.008.
What is the minimum lot size in Laguna Beach's R-1 zone?
6,000 sq ft (unless the zoning map shows a larger number after the zone symbol; that number is then the minimum) — Laguna Beach Municipal Code § 25.10.008.
General information, not legal advice.
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