Brea Municipal Code Ch. 20.208 R-1 Single Family Residential Zone

The R-1 Single Family Residential Zone is established to provide an environment conducive to the development of single family homes with no mixed or incompatible uses.

(Ord. 425, 10-14-1968)

A. Uses permitted in R-1 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. 467, 7-13-1970; Ord. 594, 6-29-1976; Ord. 760, 5-15-1984; Ord. 920, 5-19-1992; Ord. 1025, 7-20-1999; Ord. 1046, 3-20-2001; Ord. 1203, 2-20-2018; Ord. 1220, 3-16-2021; Ord. 1241, 8-15-2023)

Uses prohibited in R-1 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 Zone:

A. Lot area.

1. Each lot shall have a minimum area of seven thousand two hundred (7,200) square feet.

2. In Planned Unit and Cluster 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 title are complied with.

B. Lot dimensions.

1. Width. Each lot shall have a minimum width of sixty (60) feet, except as follows:

a. Corner lots - seventy (70) feet.

b. Reversed corner lots - seventy-five (75) feet.

2. Depth. Each lot shall have a minimum depth of one hundred (100) feet.

3. In Planned Unit and Cluster 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. Not more than one (1) dwelling unit shall be permitted to be on any lot in the R-1 (Single Family Residential) Zone with the potential for accessory dwelling units subject to the provisions set forth herein and pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 20.52 and a two-unit development subject to the provisions set forth herein and pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 20.56.

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, skylights, 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 25 foot front yard shall be required.

b. Notwithstanding other provisions contained herein, the entire front yard area, including the minimum required front yard, shall be kept and maintained free and clear of all attached or detached accessory structures, building and automotive materials, trash, debris, trash storage receptacles, inoperable motor vehicles, camper shells not mounted on motor vehicles, boats, or boats and trailers, including utility trailers. Parking and driveway areas within the entire front yard area shall not exceed 55% of such yard area; for lots at the end of cul-de-sac with a lot frontage of less than 40 feet, the parking and driveway areas within the entire front yard may be paved up to a maximum of 80%, all subject to the Director's review and approval. The parking of operable motor vehicles shall be permitted only on an all weather surface, subject to the review and approval of the Director.

c. Recreational vehicle parking may occur as follows:

i. Parking within a garage or three sided carport.

ii. Outdoor parking in the side or rear yards beyond the required 25 foot front setback, except in a street side yard of a corner lot or reverse corner lot.

iii. Outdoor parking in a driveway or improved pad, provided that:

(A) Parking of such vehicle within a garage or three sided carport is not possible.

(B) Space is not available in the side or rear yards or no access exists to such yards.

(C) No part of such unit extends over public sidewalks or rights-of-way.

(D) The vehicle or unit at no time creates a sight obstruction that poses a safety hazard.

(E) Such vehicles shall be determined to be in an operable condition.

(F) The vehicle is not used for dwelling purposes; cooking is not permitted in the recreational vehicle at any time and accordingly, butane and propane shall not be used.

(G) The vehicle is not permanently connected to electricity, sewer lines or water lines. The recreational vehicle may be connected to electricity temporarily for charging batteries and cleaning purposes only.

(H) The vehicle shall not be used for storage of goods, materials, or equipment other than those items considered to be part of the unit or essential for its immediate use.

(I) The vehicle shall not block required emergency access to the rear yard area. A five foot clear area shall be maintained to provide such access.

d. Where the entire block frontage is designed and developed as a neighborhood unit, the front yard setback may vary, provided that an average building setback of not less than 25 feet is maintained. The minimum front yard shall not be less than 20 feet.

e. Front yards on the turn-around end of cul-de-sac street may be reduced to not less than 20 feet.

2. Side Yards.

a. Lots shall have a side yard on each side of not less than five feet. 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 shall not be less than 20 feet.

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

3. Rear Yards. Each yard shall have a rear yard of not less than 25 feet except that the main building may project to within 10 feet of the rear property line. The combined coverage by the main building and any accessory buildings shall not exceed 25% of the required rear yard area.

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 a usable area of not less than one thousand (1,000) square feet for outdoor living. The minimum dimension shall be not less than fifteen (15) feet. Where contiguous to a side or rear yard, such yards may be included as part of the minimum. Slopes with a grade in excess of ten percent (10%) may not be included as satisfying this requirement.

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. Each dwelling unit shall have a gross floor area of not less than one thousand (1,000) square feet.

J. Coverage by structures. Not more than thirty-five (35%) 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 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.

N. Lighting. All lighting, interior and exterior, shall be designed and located so as to confine all direct rays to the premises.

(Ord. 425, 10-14-1968; Ord. 478, 12-14-1970; Ord. 741, 6-21-1983; Ord. 760, 5-15-1984; Ord. 770, 3-19-1985; Ord. 873, 9-5-1989; Ord. 965, 4-4-1995; Ord. 1129, 10-20-2009; Ord. 1203, 2-20-2018; Ord. 1220, 3-16-2021; Ord. 1241, 8-15-2023; Ord. 1242, 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 Zone that are listed in § 20.408.040.B.

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