Los Alamitos · Zoning · TCMU
Los Alamitos TCMU zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Los Alamitos's TCMU zone, generally buildings can be up to 60 ft tall, the front setback is 0 to 10 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq. ft., with the conditions listed below (Los Alamitos code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 60 ft
- Minimum front setback: 0 to 10 ft (front or adjacent to a street; build-to line: the building must stand within this distance)
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft (Abutting nonresidential or mixed-use zone)
- Minimum rear setback: 0 ft (Abutting nonresidential zone)
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq. ft. (For new mixed-use development; single-purpose uses can be constructed on lots smaller than 5,000 sq. ft.)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.00 (Nonresidential components)
- Maximum density: 60 units/acre (the whole TCMU district may not exceed 588 units in total)
TCMU (Town Center Mixed-Use Zone) is a zoning district in Los Alamitos. Every value below was read from the Los Alamitos 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 TCMU
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 | 60 ft § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “Height—Maximum”, column “TCMU”: 60 ft. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 0 to 10 ft Applies: front or adjacent to a street; build-to line: the building must stand within this distance § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “Front or Adjacent to a Street”, column “TCMU”: 0 ft. minimum; 10 ft. maximum |
| Minimum side setback | 0 ft Applies: Abutting nonresidential or mixed-use zone § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “Abutting Nonresidential or Mixed-Use Zone”, column “TCMU”: 0 ft. minimum |
| Minimum rear setback | 0 ft Applies: Abutting nonresidential zone § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “Abutting Nonresidential Zone”, column “TCMU”: 0 ft. minimum |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq. ft. Applies: For new mixed-use development; single-purpose uses can be constructed on lots smaller than 5,000 sq. ft. § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “Minimum Lot Area (for new mixed-use development)”, column “TCMU”: 5,000 sq. ft. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 2.00 Applies: Nonresidential components § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “FAR Maximum—Nonresidential Components”, column “TCMU”: 2.00 |
| Maximum density | 60 units/acre Applies: the whole TCMU district may not exceed 588 units in total § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “Residential Density—Maximum”, column “TCMU”: 60 units/acre |
Uses in TCMU
Uses the code's use tables allow in TCMU, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Apartment building — Needs an administrative use permit — see note
- Live-work unit — Needs an administrative use permit
- Child care center — Needs a conditional use permit
- Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in TCMU:
- Minimum front setback: 12 ft — Fronting Los Alamitos Boulevard and/or Katella Avenue § 17.12.040
- Minimum front setback: 6 ft — Fronting Pine Street § 17.12.040
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Abutting residential zone § 17.12.040
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Street side § 17.12.040
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — Abutting residential zone § 17.12.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage limit for TCMU in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Los Alamitos Municipal Code.
Other Los Alamitos zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Los Alamitos's TCMU zone?
60 ft — Los Alamitos Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Los Alamitos's TCMU zone?
0 to 10 ft (front or adjacent to a street; build-to line: the building must stand within this distance) — Los Alamitos Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Los Alamitos's TCMU zone?
0 ft (abutting nonresidential or mixed-use zone) — Los Alamitos Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Los Alamitos's TCMU zone?
0 ft (abutting nonresidential zone) — Los Alamitos Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
What is the minimum lot size in Los Alamitos's TCMU zone?
5,000 sq. ft. (for new mixed-use development; single-purpose uses can be constructed on lots smaller than 5,000 sq. ft) — Los Alamitos Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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