Manhattan Beach RPD zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

RPD (Comprehensive Residential Planned Development) is a zoning district in Manhattan Beach. Every value below was read from the Manhattan 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.

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.

Uses the code's use tables allow in RPD, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.

• Single-family home — Allowed — see note
• Church or place of worship — Needs an use permit — see note
• Private school — Needs an use permit — see note

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RPD:

• Maximum building height: 30 ft — multifamily developments; may be approved if the additional height is required to construct a tuck-under garage which provides direct access to a dwelling unit § 10.12.040
• Minimum front setback: 50 ft — from arterial street property lines § 10.12.040
• Minimum front setback: 30 ft — from collector (primary loop) street property lines § 10.12.040
• Minimum front setback: 25 ft — from collector (secondary loops) street property lines § 10.12.040
• Minimum side setback: 0 ft — zero-side-yard development may be approved if the opposite yard or combined side-yard setbacks of the two adjoining structures is a minimum of 10 feet § 10.12.040
• Minimum rear setback: 15 ft average; 10 ft minimum — if the area to be developed contains more than 30 acres, up to 25% of lots may have reduced rear-yard setbacks § 10.12.040
• Minimum rear setback: 8 ft — if the area to be developed contains more than 30 acres; up to 3% of lots can maintain this minimum setback § 10.12.040
• Maximum lot coverage: 50% — single-family dwellings; exclusive of roof overhangs, trellis areas, covered porches, and allowable structures in the side and rear yard setback areas § 10.12.040
• Maximum density: 1 unit per 5,000 net sq ft — detached single-family dwellings; average lot area at least 5,500 sq ft across the net site area § 10.12.040
• Maximum density: 1 unit per 2,000 net sq ft — attached or cluster multiple-family; average at least 2,500 sq ft per unit across the net site area § 10.12.040

We did not find a general stories, FAR, density limit for RPD in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code.

• IP
• RH-I
• RH-II
• RS-III