Placentia · Zoning · C-O
Placentia C-O zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Placentia's C-O zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Placentia code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (30 ft when adjacent to R-A or R-1 property; 35 ft allowed with 2 ft extra setback per additional foot of height)
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (On corner lots, 15 ft along both street frontages.)
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft (10 ft if the site borders a residential district, more if Section 23.30.040 requires)
- Minimum rear setback: 0 ft (10 ft if the site borders a residential district, more if Section 23.30.040 requires)
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 100% (Less the required parking area and landscaping.)
C-O (Commercial Office District) is a zoning district in Placentia. Every value below was read from the Placentia 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 C-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 | 35 ft Applies: 30 ft when adjacent to R-A or R-1 property; 35 ft allowed with 2 ft extra setback per additional foot of height § 23.30.040 · code textMaximum allowable height in the “C-O” district shall be thirty-five (35) feet, except when located adjacent to properties zoned R-A or R-1, where the maximum height shall be thirty (30) feet, however, a thirty-five (35) foot maximum height shall be permitted when two (2) feet of additional setback is provided for every one (1) foot of additional height. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: On corner lots, 15 ft along both street frontages. § 23.30.070 · code textMinimum front yard in the “C-O” district shall be fifteen (15) feet. On corner lots, there shall be a fifteen (15) foot frontage setback along both street frontages. |
| Minimum side setback | 0 ft Applies: 10 ft if the site borders a residential district, more if Section 23.30.040 requires § 23.30.080 · code textMinimum side yard in the “C-O” district shall be zero (0) unless site borders any residential district, then any side yard shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet except where a greater setback distance shall be required pursuant to Section 23.30.040. |
| Minimum rear setback | 0 ft Applies: 10 ft if the site borders a residential district, more if Section 23.30.040 requires § 23.30.090 · code textMinimum yard in the “C-O” district shall be zero (0) unless site borders any residential district, then any rear yard shall be a minimum of ten (10) feet except that a greater setback distance shall be required pursuant to Section 23.30.040. |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft § 23.30.050 · code textMinimum building site and lot width in the “C-O” district shall be five thousand (5,000) square feet; fifty (50) feet in width. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 100% Applies: Less the required parking area and landscaping. § 23.30.060 · code textMaximum allowable lot coverage in the “C-O” district shall be one hundred (100) percent less required parking area and landscaping. |
Uses in C-O
Uses the code's use tables allow in C-O, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Church or place of worship — Needs an use permit — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C-O:
- Maximum building height: 30 ft — Adjacent to R-A or R-1 zoned property. 35 ft allowed with 2 ft of extra setback per extra foot of height. § 23.30.040
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Site borders any residential district § 23.30.080
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft — Adjacent to a public right-of-way § 23.30.080
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — Site borders any residential district § 23.30.090
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — Adjacent to a public right-of-way § 23.30.090
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR, density limit for C-O in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Placentia Municipal Code.
Other Placentia zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Placentia's C-O zone?
35 ft (30 ft when adjacent to R-A or R-1 property; 35 ft allowed with 2 ft extra setback per additional foot of height) — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.30.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Placentia's C-O zone?
15 ft (on corner lots, 15 ft along both street frontages) — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.30.070.
What is the minimum side setback in Placentia's C-O zone?
0 ft (10 ft if the site borders a residential district, more if Section 23.30.040 requires) — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.30.080.
What is the minimum rear setback in Placentia's C-O zone?
0 ft (10 ft if the site borders a residential district, more if Section 23.30.040 requires) — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.30.090.
What is the minimum lot size in Placentia's C-O zone?
5,000 sq ft — Placentia Municipal Code § 23.30.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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