Where is a single-family home allowed in Manhattan Beach?

Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.

Zones where a single-family home can go

Manhattan Beach's code calls this use “Single-family Residential”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.

Zone	Status	Code
RS	Allowed — see note Note A: See Section 10.52.020, Exterior materials in R districts. Note C: See Section 10.52.100, Manufactured homes. Note P: Each single-family residential and multi-family residential dwelling unit may only be occupied by a single housekeeping unit as defined in Section 10.04.030, except as provided in Section 10.08.030.	§ 10.12.020
RM	Allowed — see note Note A: See Section 10.52.020, Exterior materials in R districts. Note C: See Section 10.52.100, Manufactured homes. Note P: Each single-family residential and multi-family residential dwelling unit may only be occupied by a single housekeeping unit as defined in Section 10.04.030, except as provided in Section 10.08.030.	§ 10.12.020
RH	Allowed — see note Note A: See Section 10.52.020, Exterior materials in R districts. Note C: See Section 10.52.100, Manufactured homes. Note P: Each single-family residential and multi-family residential dwelling unit may only be occupied by a single housekeeping unit as defined in Section 10.04.030, except as provided in Section 10.08.030.	§ 10.12.020
RPD Comprehensive Residential Planned Development	Allowed — see note Note A: See Section 10.52.020, Exterior materials in R districts. Note C: See Section 10.52.100, Manufactured homes. Note P: Each single-family residential and multi-family residential dwelling unit may only be occupied by a single housekeeping unit as defined in Section 10.04.030, except as provided in Section 10.08.030.	§ 10.12.020
RSC	Allowed — see note Note A: See Section 10.52.020, Exterior materials in R districts. Note C: See Section 10.52.100, Manufactured homes. Note P: Each single-family residential and multi-family residential dwelling unit may only be occupied by a single housekeeping unit as defined in Section 10.04.030, except as provided in Section 10.08.030.	§ 10.12.020
CL	Needs an use permit — see note Note I: The keeping of domestic animals is permitted including: dogs and cats not to exceed five (5) for each residential living unit in any combination thereof and the young thereof not exceeding four (4) months in age, and other small domestic household pets such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc., not to exceed five (5) in any combination thereof. Common varieties of farm animals, livestock, exotic animals or wild animals (as defined in Section 10.04.020) are prohibited except for Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, also known as pygmy pigs or mini-pigs, as permitted by the Animal Control Department. Note J: A maximum of three (3) garage or lawn sale permits per calendar year, of miscellaneous household items of personal property accumulated by the occupant of the residence as a normal matter of course may be held on any building site occupied by residents, provided a permit has been acquired from the City's Licensing Authority. Each permit shall be valid for a maximum of three (3) consecutive days and may include standard regulations on the garage sale permit (in accordance with provisions of Section 6.08.020 MBMC). perty accumulated by the occupant of the residence as a normal matter of course may be held on any building site occupied by residents, provided a permit has been acquired from the City's Licensing Authority. Each permit shall be valid for a maximum of three (3) consecutive days and may include standard regulations on the garage sale permit (in accordance with provisions of Section 6.08.020 MBMC).	§ 10.16.020
CD	Needs an use permit — see note Note I: The keeping of domestic animals is permitted including: dogs and cats not to exceed five (5) for each residential living unit in any combination thereof and the young thereof not exceeding four (4) months in age, and other small domestic household pets such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc., not to exceed five (5) in any combination thereof. Common varieties of farm animals, livestock, exotic animals or wild animals (as defined in Section 10.04.020) are prohibited except for Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, also known as pygmy pigs or mini-pigs, as permitted by the Animal Control Department. Note J: A maximum of three (3) garage or lawn sale permits per calendar year, of miscellaneous household items of personal property accumulated by the occupant of the residence as a normal matter of course may be held on any building site occupied by residents, provided a permit has been acquired from the City's Licensing Authority. Each permit shall be valid for a maximum of three (3) consecutive days and may include standard regulations on the garage sale permit (in accordance with provisions of Section 6.08.020 MBMC). perty accumulated by the occupant of the residence as a normal matter of course may be held on any building site occupied by residents, provided a permit has been acquired from the City's Licensing Authority. Each permit shall be valid for a maximum of three (3) consecutive days and may include standard regulations on the garage sale permit (in accordance with provisions of Section 6.08.020 MBMC).	§ 10.16.020

Zones where it is not allowed

CC, CG.

What else applies

'Single-family Transient Use' is not permitted in RS-RSC. SB 9 unit development: note (Q) in the residential schedule.
State law: State law lets most single-family lots add an ADU and a JADU (California ADU law) and a second home or a lot split under SB 9 (Gov. Code § 65852.21).
Not covered here: Zone names beyond the chapter titles are not spelled out in the packet (RS..CNE names are conventional and omitted); Chapter 10.08 definitions (Group Residential, Day Care General) not in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.

Other uses in Manhattan Beach

Who this affects

HomeownersBuyersReal estate agentsSmall developers

Frequently asked questions

Can I have a single-family home in the CL zone in Manhattan Beach?

Only with an use permit. Manhattan Beach's use table lists it that way in CL (§ 10.16.020). The code adds a condition: “The keeping of domestic animals is permitted including: dogs and cats not to exceed five (5) for each residential living unit in any combination thereof and the young thereof not exceeding four (4) months in age, and…”

Can I have a single-family home in the CC zone in Manhattan Beach?

No. Manhattan Beach's use table does not allow it in CC (§ 10.16.020).

Can I have a single-family home in the RS zone in Manhattan Beach?

Yes, with a condition. Manhattan Beach's use table lists it as allowed in RS (§ 10.12.020). The code adds a condition: “See Section 10.52.020, Exterior materials in R districts. See Section 10.52.100, Manufactured homes. Each single-family residential and multi-family residential dwelling unit may only be occupied by a single…”