Newport Beach · Zoning · CG
Newport Beach CG zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Newport Beach's CG zone, generally buildings can be up to 32 ft tall, the front setback is 0 ft and the minimum lot size is 10,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Newport Beach code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 32 ft (Not within Shoreline Height Limit Zone; flat roof or less than 3/12 pitch)
- Minimum front setback: 0 ft
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft (Abutting nonresidential)
- Minimum rear setback: 0 ft (Not abutting an alley)
- Minimum lot size: 10,000 sq ft (Each newly created lot)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.75 (when 0.3/0.5 is not shown on the Coastal Zoning Map)
CG is a zoning district in Newport Beach. Every value below was read from the Newport 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 CG
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 | 32 ft Applies: Not within Shoreline Height Limit Zone; flat roof or less than 3/12 pitch § 20.20.030 · code textTable row “Not within Shoreline Height Limit Zone”, column “CG”: 32 ft. with flat roof; less than 3/12 pitch 37 ft. with sloped roof; 3/12 or greater pitch |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 0 ft § 20.20.030 · code textTable row “Front”, column “CG”: 0 |
| Minimum side setback | 0 ft Applies: Abutting nonresidential § 20.20.030 · code textTable row “Abutting nonresidential”, column “CG”: 0 |
| Minimum rear setback | 0 ft Applies: Not abutting an alley § 20.20.030 · code textTable row “Not abutting an alley”, column “CG”: 0 |
| Minimum lot size | 10,000 sq ft Applies: Each newly created lot See note 1 below the table in the code. § 20.20.030 · code textTable row “Lot Area (1) Lot Width”, column “CG”: 10,000 sq. ft. 50 ft. Note 1: All development and the subdivision of land shall comply with the requirements of Title 19 (Subdivisions). |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.75 Applies: when 0.3/0.5 is not shown on the Coastal Zoning Map See notes 2, 3, 4 below the table in the code. § 21.20.030 · code textTable row “Floor Area Ratio (2)(3)(4)”, column “CG”: 0.75 Note 2: In the CG Coastal Zoning District, when 0.3/0.5 is shown on the Coastal Zoning Map, the FAR may be increased to a maximum of 0.5 when two or more legal lots are merged to accommodate larger commercial development projects. Note 3: Portions of legal lots that are submerged lands or tidelands shall be included in the land area of the lot for the purpose of calculating the allowable floor area for structures. Note 4: The specific floor area limitations for each coastal zoning district are identified on the Coastal Zoning Map. |
Uses in CG
Uses the code's use tables allow in CG, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Bed and breakfast — Needs a minor use permit
- Kennel — Needs a conditional use permit
- Private school — Needs a conditional use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CG:
- Maximum building height: 26 ft — Within Shoreline Height Limit Zone; flat roof or less than 3/12 pitch § 20.20.030
- Maximum building height: 31 ft — Within Shoreline Height Limit Zone; sloped roof with 3/12 or greater pitch § 20.20.030
- Maximum building height: 37 ft — Not within Shoreline Height Limit Zone; sloped roof with 3/12 or greater pitch § 20.20.030
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — Abutting residential § 20.20.030
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — Abutting an alley § 20.20.030
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft — Abutting residential § 20.20.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, density limit for CG in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Newport Beach Municipal Code.
Other Newport Beach zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Newport Beach's CG zone?
32 ft (not within Shoreline Height Limit Zone; flat roof or less than 3/12 pitch) — Newport Beach Municipal Code § 20.20.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Newport Beach's CG zone?
0 ft — Newport Beach Municipal Code § 20.20.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Newport Beach's CG zone?
0 ft (abutting nonresidential) — Newport Beach Municipal Code § 20.20.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Newport Beach's CG zone?
0 ft (not abutting an alley) — Newport Beach Municipal Code § 20.20.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Newport Beach's CG zone?
10,000 sq ft (each newly created lot) — Newport Beach Municipal Code § 20.20.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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