Ojai · Zoning · R-O
Ojai R-O zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Ojai's R-O zone, generally buildings can be up to 25 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 25 ft and the minimum lot size is 12,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Ojai code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 25 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft
- Minimum side setback: 12 ft for access; 5 ft other side
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft
- Minimum lot size: 12,000 sq ft (new parcels)
- Maximum density: 3 units per acre
R-O is a zoning district in Ojai. Every value below was read from the Ojai 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 R-O
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 | 25 ft See notes 7, 10, 11 below the table in the code. § 10-2.404 · code textTable row “Height limit (7)”, column “R-O”: 25 ft, 2 stories (10)(11) Note 7: Maximum allowed height of structures. See also Section 10-2.803 (Height measurement and exceptions). Note 10: Additional height up to 30 feet may be approved in accordance with Article 20 of Chapter 2 (Design Review Permits). Note 11: No building in these zones shall exceed the height limitations imposed for the protection and enhancement of solar access by Section 10-2.405 . |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories See notes 7, 10, 11 below the table in the code. § 10-2.404 · code textTable row “Height limit (7)”, column “R-O”: 25 ft, 2 stories (10)(11) Note 7: Maximum allowed height of structures. See also Section 10-2.803 (Height measurement and exceptions). Note 10: Additional height up to 30 feet may be approved in accordance with Article 20 of Chapter 2 (Design Review Permits). Note 11: No building in these zones shall exceed the height limitations imposed for the protection and enhancement of solar access by Section 10-2.405 . |
| Minimum front setback | 25 ft See notes 3, 8 below the table in the code. § 10-2.404 · code textTable row “Front (3)”, column “R-O”: 25 ft (8) Note 3: Measured from the inside edge of the sidewalk adjacent to the front lot line or from the front lot line, whichever is greater. Note 8: Where 40% or more of the lots on the same street frontage and block are developed with structures having an average front yard setback with a variation of no more than six feet, no structure shall project beyond that average front yard setback, provided that no structure shall have a front yard setback less than 25 feet within the R-O zone, and 20 feet within the R-1 zone. |
| Minimum side setback | 12 ft for access; 5 ft other side See note 4 below the table in the code. The code attaches note 10 to this value. This page does not show it; read the code before relying on the number. § 10-2.404 · code textTable row “Sides (each) (4)”, column “R-O”: 12 ft for access, 5 ft. other side (10) Note 4: One of the required side yard setbacks shall be graded to provide access to the rear yard. |
| Minimum rear setback | 25 ft See note 5 below the table in the code. § 10-2.404 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “R-O”: 25 ft (5) Note 5: On corner lots and reverse corner lots, structures may encroach into the rear yard setback if an equivalent rear yard setback is provided, but the structures shall be a minimum of 12 feet from the rear lot line of either type of lot, and shall be a minimum of 20 feet from the side lot line of a reverse corner lot. In no case shall the required rear yard area be diminished. |
| Minimum lot size | 12,000 sq ft Applies: new parcels § 10-2.404 · code textTable row “Area”, column “R-O”: 12,000 sf |
| Maximum density | 3 units per acre See note 2 below the table in the code. § 10-2.404 · code textTable row “Maximum density (2)”, column “R-O”: 3 du/acre Note 2: Maximum number of dwellings allowed per gross acre in a single-family subdivision or multi-family project. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-O:
- Maximum building height: 30 ft — Additional height may be approved in accordance with Article 20 of Chapter 2 (Design Review Permits). § 10-2.404
- Minimum front setback: Not less than the block's average front setback, and never less than 25 ft — when 40% or more of the lots on the same street and block have setbacks varying by no more than six feet § 10-2.404
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot coverage, FAR limit for R-O in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Ojai Municipal Code.
Other Ojai zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Ojai's R-O zone?
25 ft — Ojai Municipal Code § 10-2.404.
What is the maximum number of stories in Ojai's R-O zone?
2 stories — Ojai Municipal Code § 10-2.404.
What is the minimum front setback in Ojai's R-O zone?
25 ft — Ojai Municipal Code § 10-2.404.
What is the minimum side setback in Ojai's R-O zone?
12 ft for access; 5 ft other side — Ojai Municipal Code § 10-2.404. The code attaches notes or conditions to this value; read the section before relying on it.
What is the minimum rear setback in Ojai's R-O zone?
25 ft — Ojai Municipal Code § 10-2.404.
General information, not legal advice.
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