Pasadena · Zoning · RM-12
Pasadena RM-12 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Pasadena's RM-12 zone, generally buildings can be up to 28 ft tall, the front setback is average of developed lots, but not less than 25 ft and the minimum lot size is 7,200 sf, with the conditions listed below (Pasadena code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 28 ft (site less than 75 ft wide)
- Minimum front setback: average of developed lots, but not less than 25 ft (Where 40 percent or more of the lots on a blockface in the same zoning district are developed with primary structures)
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 10 ft (interior side yard; the building must also stay within the encroachment plane)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft
- Minimum lot size: 7,200 sf (new parcels)
- Maximum lot coverage: 35% (site greater than 7,200 sf to 11,999 sf; up to 40% provided any additional coverage over 35% shall be single-story only)
- Maximum density: 2 units per lot
RM-12 is a zoning district in Pasadena. Every value below was read from the Pasadena 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 RM-12
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 | 28 ft Applies: site less than 75 ft wide § 17.22.040 · code textTable row “Site less than 75 ft wide”, column “RM-12”: 28 ft, and within the encroachment plane (Section 17.40.160) |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | average of developed lots, but not less than 25 ft Applies: Where 40 percent or more of the lots on a blockface in the same zoning district are developed with primary structures § 17.22.050 · code textWhere 40 percent or more of the lots on a blockface in the same zoning district (excluding corner yards of reversed corner lots) are developed with primary structures (including the existing setback of the proposed development site), the minimum front setback shall be the average of the front setbacks of the developed lots, but not less than 25 feet. |
| Minimum side setback | 10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 10 ft Applies: interior side yard; the building must also stay within the encroachment plane § 17.22.050 · code textTable row “Sides”, column “Development Standard”: The required setback shall be no less than 4 feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft § 17.22.040 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “RM-12”: 10 ft |
| Minimum lot size | 7,200 sf Applies: new parcels See note 1 below the table in the code. § 17.22.040 · code textTable row “Minimum area (1)”, column “RM-12”: 7,200 sf Note 1: See Chapter 17.43 regarding density bonus provisions |
| Maximum lot coverage | 35% Applies: site greater than 7,200 sf to 11,999 sf; up to 40% provided any additional coverage over 35% shall be single-story only § 17.22.040 · code textTable row “Site greater than 7,200 sf to 11,999 sf”, column “RM-12”: 35%; up to 40% provided any additional coverage over 35% shall be single-story only. |
| Maximum density | 2 units per lot § 17.22.040 · code textTable row “Maximum density”, column “RM-12”: 2 units per lot |
Uses in RM-12
Uses the code's use tables allow in RM-12, 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 a conditional use permit — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RM-12:
- Maximum building height: 32 ft — site of 75 ft wide or more § 17.22.040
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft — Where less than 40 percent of the lots on a blockface within the same zoning district are developed with primary structures § 17.22.050
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, min 10 ft, max requirement 25 ft — corner side § 17.22.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for RM-12 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Pasadena Municipal Code.
Other Pasadena zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Pasadena's RM-12 zone?
28 ft (site less than 75 ft wide) — Pasadena Municipal Code § 17.22.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Pasadena's RM-12 zone?
average of developed lots, but not less than 25 ft (where 40 percent or more of the lots on a blockface in the same zoning district are developed with primary structures) — Pasadena Municipal Code § 17.22.050.
What is the minimum side setback in Pasadena's RM-12 zone?
10% of lot width, min 5 ft, max 10 ft (interior side yard; the building must also stay within the encroachment plane) — Pasadena Municipal Code § 17.22.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in Pasadena's RM-12 zone?
10 ft — Pasadena Municipal Code § 17.22.040.
What is the minimum lot size in Pasadena's RM-12 zone?
7,200 sf (new parcels) — Pasadena Municipal Code § 17.22.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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