Brea Municipal Code Ch. 20.212 R-1 (5,000) Single Family Residential Zone

The R-1 (5,000) Single Family Residential Zone is established to provide for the development of medium density single family housing.

(Ord. 425, 10-14-1968)

A. Uses permitted in R-1 (5,000) Zone are contained in Chapter 20.11 of this Title.

B. Keeping of animals.

1. Up to six (6) dogs and/or cats. Animals that are less than our (4) months of age shall not be counted.

2. Other household pets which are neither farm animals, exotic nor wild animals, such as domestic mice and rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, turtles, tropical fish, canaries, birds of the psittacine family, and other similar animals commonly sold in pet stores and kept as household pets, may also be kept, so long as animals are not maintained for commercial purposes, do not constitute a nuisance, are adequately provided with food, care and sanitary facilities, and do not exceed a total of six (6) animals (fish being exempt). Their offspring shall not be counted until four (4) months from birth.

3. Any animal not specifically classified within this section shall be classified by the Community Development Director as necessary, based upon a determination as to the probable negative impact of the health, safety or general welfare upon the community.

(Ord. 425, 10-14-1968; Ord. 920, 5-19-1992; Ord. 1025, 7-20-1999; Ord. 1046, 3-20-2001; Ord. 1129, 10-20-2009; Ord. 1203, 2-20-2018; Ord. 1220, 3-16-2021; Ord. 1241, 8-15-2023)

Uses prohibited in R-1 (5,000) Zone are contained in Chapter 20.11 of this Title.

(Ord. 425, 10-14-1968; Ord. 920, 5-19-1992; Ord. 926, 8-18-1992; Ord. 1191, 3-21-2017; Ord. 1241, 8-15-2023)

The following property development standards shall apply to all land and buildings in the R-1 (5,000) Zone:

A. Lot area.

1. Each lot shall have a minimum area of five thousand (5,000) square feet.

2. In a Residential Planned Unit Development, the size of the lots may vary, provided the overall density provisions of the zone are maintained within the project and all other requirements of this section are complied with.

B. Lot dimensions.

1. Width.

a. Interior lots shall have a minimum width of fifty (50) feet.

b. Corner lots shall have a minimum width of sixty (60) feet.

c. Reversed corner lots shall have a minimum width of sixty-five (65) feet.

2. Depth. Each lot shall have a minimum depth of ninety (90) feet.

3. In a Residential Planned Unit Development the lot width and depth may be modified to conform to the buildings and structures proposed, provided said dimensions permit conformity with all other provisions of this section.

C. Dwelling unit density. Maximum net dwelling unit density shall not exceed the required minimum net area per dwelling unit of five thousand (5,000) square feet, except that an accessory dwelling unit and a junior accessory dwelling unit may be permitted pursuant to requirements of Chapter 20.52, or as otherwise permitted by state law.

D. Building height.

1. Buildings and structures shall have a height no greater than thirty-five (35) feet, except any detached accessory structures, including but not limited to, patios, pool houses, and garages shall have a height no greater than eighteen (18) feet.

2. Structures permitted above height limit. Roof structures for the housing of elevators, stairways, tanks, ventilating fans or similar equipment required to operate and maintain the buildings and fire or parapet walls, sky-lights, flagpoles, chimneys, domestic radio and television masts, or similar structures may be erected above the maximum height permitted in each zone. No structure shall be allowed for purposes of providing additional floor space.

E. Yards.

1. Front Yard.

a. A minimum 15 foot front yard shall be required.

b. The entire front yard shall be maintained as required in § 20.208.040E.1.b and c of this title.

c. Where the entire block frontage is designed and developed as a neighborhood unit, the front yard setback may vary, provided, however, the average minimum front yard shall be not less than 15 feet and no front yard shall be reduced to less than 10 feet.

d. Front yards on the turn-around end of a cul-de-sac street may be reduced to not less than 10 feet.

2. Side Yards.

a. Interior lots shall have a side yard on each side of not less than five feet. The side yard may be reduced to zero feet on one side of the interior lot lines. When a zero foot side yard is utilized, the following shall apply:

i. The total width of the two side yards shall not be less than 10 feet.

ii. No eave shall project over a lot line.

iii. The minimum distance between eaves shall not be less than seven feet.

iv. The minimum distance between walls of buildings shall be not less than 10 feet.

v. The maximum eave projection shall not be more than three feet.

vi. A masonry or concrete block wall seven feet in height shall be erected and maintained on the rear and side property lines, except within the required front yard.

vii. An additional two and one-half feet shall be required for side yards adjacent to a main building 20 feet or more in height.

b. A side yard on the street side of a corner lot may have a minimum street side yard of 10 feet and a zero foot side yard on the interior lot line.

c. A side yard on the street side of a reversed corner lot may have a minimum side yard of 15 and a zero foot side yard on the interior lot line.

d. An opening of a minimum width of not less than four feet shall be provided for access to the rear yard on one of the side yards of a lot. The opening may be provided with a gate but shall not be fenced or walled.

e. All side yard setbacks shall be measured from the property line to the building wall.

3. Rear Yards. Each lot shall have a rear yard of not less than 10 feet.

4. Storage of Materials in Side and Rear Yards in Residential Zones.

a. Any storage of materials including, but not limited to, trash and trash receptacles, newspapers, building and automotive materials, landscape maintenance tools, debris, inoperable motor vehicles, camper shells not mounted on motor vehicles, or boats and trailers, within rear yards, shall be substantially screened with a combination of open or solid fencing, and landscaping, or enclosed within an openwork structure such as wood or metal lattice, so as to substantially minimize views as seen from adjacent private and public streets, and public right-of-way (excluding alleys).

b. Stored materials shall not cover an area greater than 50% of the total square footage of the rear yard.

5. Location of Accessory Buildings in Required Yards. The provisions of § 20.08.020 of this title shall apply.

6. Projections into Required Yards. Except as provided herein, the provisions of § 20.08.020 of this title shall apply.

7. Garage and Carport Street Setback. Except as provided herein, the provisions of § 20.08.020 of this title shall apply.

F. Outdoor living space.

1. Each lot shall contain outdoor living space of not less than 500 square feet.

2. The provisions of § 20.08.030 of this title shall apply.

G. Fences, walls, and landscaping. The provisions of § 20.08.015 of this title shall apply.

H. Distance between buildings. The distance between external walls of detached buildings shall not be less than ten (10) feet, if there are either doors or windows facing on said space between walls. Where no openings face said space, it may be reduced to six (6) feet.

I. Minimum dwelling area. Dwelling units shall have a minimum gross floor area of not less than eight hundred (800) square feet.

J. Coverage by structures. No more than fifty percent (50%) of the lot area shall be covered by buildings or structures.

K. Off-street parking. The provisions of § 20.08.040 of this title shall apply.

L. Access.

1. All lots shall have a vehicular access from a dedicated street or alley.

2. Driveway access to garages or carports shall be of permanent construction material, concrete or asphalt or other material approved by the City Engineer.

M. Signs. The provisions of Chapter 20.28 of this title shall apply.

(Ord. 425, 10-14-1968; Ord. 873, 9-5-1989; Ord. 965, 4-4-1995; Ord. 1241, 8-15-2023; Ord. 1247, 3-19-2024; Ord. 1254, 3-18-2025; Ord. 1276, 6/16/2026)

The provisions of § 20.408.040 of this title shall apply to all developments in the R-1 (5,000) Zone that are listed in § 20.408.040.B.

(Ord. 425, 10-14-1968; Ord. 963, 1-17-1995; Ord. 1254, 3-18-2025)