Newport Beach OA zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

OA 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 OA

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 text Table row “Not within Shoreline Height Limit Zone”, column “OA”: 32 ft. with flat roof; less than 3/12 pitch 37 ft. with sloped roof; 3/12 or greater pitch
Minimum front setback	15 ft Applies: Front or adjacent to a street § 20.20.030 · code text Table row “Front or adjacent to a street”, column “OA”: 15 ft
Minimum side setback	0 ft Applies: Abutting nonresidential § 20.20.030 · code text Table row “Abutting nonresidential”, column “OA”: 0
Minimum rear setback	0 ft § 20.20.030 · code text Table row “Rear”, column “OA”: 0
Minimum lot size	25,000 sq ft Applies: Each newly created lot See note 1 below the table in the code. § 20.20.030 · code text Table row “Lot Area (1)”, column “OA”: 25,000 sq. ft. Note 1: All development and the subdivision of land shall comply with the requirements of Municipal Code Title 19 (Subdivisions).
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	0.5 Applies: For office uses § 20.20.030 · code text Table row “Floor Area Ratio”, column “OA”: 0.5 for office uses. 0.75 for warehouse uses.

Uses in OA

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

Kennel — Allowed
Private school — Needs a conditional use permit

When a different number applies

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

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
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.75 — For warehouse uses § 20.20.030

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, density limit for OA 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

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Newport Beach's OA 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 OA zone?

15 ft (front or adjacent to a street) — Newport Beach Municipal Code § 20.20.030.

What is the minimum side setback in Newport Beach's OA zone?

0 ft (abutting nonresidential) — Newport Beach Municipal Code § 20.20.030.

What is the minimum rear setback in Newport Beach's OA zone?

0 ft — Newport Beach Municipal Code § 20.20.030.

What is the minimum lot size in Newport Beach's OA zone?

25,000 sq ft (each newly created lot) — Newport Beach Municipal Code § 20.20.030.

General information, not legal advice.