Palos Verdes Estates · Zoning · R-1
Palos Verdes Estates R-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Palos Verdes Estates's R-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft tall, the side setback limit is 8 ft and the lot coverage limit is 30%, with the conditions listed below (Palos Verdes Estates code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft (and no more than two and one-half stories)
- Minimum side setback: 8 ft (For a two-and-one-half-story building; the applicable covenant setback may be greater)
- Maximum lot coverage: 30% (Coverage by buildings)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): lesser of 30% of lot area plus 1,750 sq ft, or 50% of lot area (A cellar's floor area is not counted)
R-1 (R-1 Zone) is a zoning district in Palos Verdes Estates. Every value below was read from the Palos Verdes Estates 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-1
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 | 30 ft Applies: and no more than two and one-half stories § 18.04.040 · code textThe maximum building height in the R-1 zone shall be two and one-half stories; provided, however, that in no event shall any building exceed thirty feet in height at any point above natural grade at that point. |
|---|---|
| Minimum side setback | 8 ft Applies: For a two-and-one-half-story building; the applicable covenant setback may be greater § 18.04.080 · code textExcept as set forth in PVEMC § 18.04.100, no building in the R-1 zone shall be erected nearer to the side property lines of the building site than is permitted by the covenants of record on each and every tract within the city on file in the office of the county recorder of Los Angeles County as of July 27, 1993; provided, however, that in no case shall the side yard setback be less than five feet for a one-story building, or seven feet for a two-story building, or eight feet for a two-and-one-half-story building. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 30% Applies: Coverage by buildings § 18.04.105 · code textIn the R-1 single-family residence zone, in no case shall more than thirty percent of any lot or building site be covered by buildings. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | lesser of 30% of lot area plus 1,750 sq ft, or 50% of lot area Applies: A cellar's floor area is not counted § 18.04.140 · code textIn the R-1 single-family residence zone, the maximum floor area allowable shall be the lesser of thirty percent of the lot area plus one thousand seven hundred fifty square feet or fifty percent of the lot area. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-1:
- Maximum building height: 35 ft — Downslope lot with a single street frontage where the lot slope exceeds two and one-half to one; also limited to 16 feet above the street centerline directly in front of the same point § 18.04.040
- Maximum building height: 16 ft — Downslope lot with a single street frontage where the lot slope exceeds two and one-half to one; measured above the centerline of the street directly in front of the same point § 18.04.040
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — For a one-story building § 18.04.080
- Minimum side setback: 7 ft — For a two-story building § 18.04.080
- Maximum lot coverage: 65% — Permanent structures and pavement together (buildings, driveways, walkways); the public works director may reduce it § 18.04.105
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, front setback, rear setback, lot size, density limit for R-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Palos Verdes Estates Municipal Code.
Other Palos Verdes Estates zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Palos Verdes Estates's R-1 zone?
30 ft (and no more than two and one-half stories) — Palos Verdes Estates Municipal Code § 18.04.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Palos Verdes Estates's R-1 zone?
8 ft (for a two-and-one-half-story building; the applicable covenant setback may be greater) — Palos Verdes Estates Municipal Code § 18.04.080.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Palos Verdes Estates's R-1 zone?
30% (coverage by buildings) — Palos Verdes Estates Municipal Code § 18.04.105.
What is the maximum floor area ratio (far) in Palos Verdes Estates's R-1 zone?
lesser of 30% of lot area plus 1,750 sq ft, or 50% of lot area (a cellar's floor area is not counted) — Palos Verdes Estates Municipal Code § 18.04.140.
General information, not legal advice.
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