Title 9 — Zoning and Subdivisions
Chapter 9-21 — PCR PLANNED COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
Laguna Hills Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Laguna Hills
§ 9-21.010. Purpose and intent. ¶
The purpose and intent of the planned community residential district is to provide for a wide range of medium-low density to high density multifamily housing types, which include apartments, attached townhomes, condominiums, and clustered multifamily arrangements. Appropriate land uses include residential and recreational land uses such as parks and open space, as set forth in the land use element in the city’s general plan. (Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)))
§ 9-21.020. Permitted uses. ¶
Table 9-21.020 identifies the permitted uses and accessory uses within the district. Uses in the table are permitted subject to the permit criteria referenced. Any use not included shall be considered prohibited.
| Table 9-21.020 PLANNED COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL USES |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Uses | Permitted | Accessory | Reference |
| Accessory structure | P | See Chapter9-70 | |
| Animals/pets | ♦ | See Chapter9-56 | |
| Athletic felds | S | ||
| Communication facility | ♦ | See Chapter9-58 | |
| Community care facility | ♦ | See Chapter9-64 | |
| Construction offce | T | ||
| Drainage facility | P | ||
| Dwelling, duplex | P | ||
| Dwelling, multiple-family | P | ||
| Dwelling, single-family attached | P | ||
| Family day care – large | ♦ | See Chapter9-64 | |
| Family day care – small | ♦ | See Chapter9-64 | |
| Fire/police station | C | ||
| Game court | ♦ | See Chapter9-70 | |
| Garage and/or yard sales | ♦ | See Chapter9-62 | |
| Greenhouse | P | ||
| Guest quarters/guest house | P | ||
| Home occupation | ♦ | See Chapter9-60 | |
| Library, public | C | ||
| Manufactured home | S | ||
| Park, public/private | S | ||
| Recreation facility, private | P | See Chapter9-70 | |
| Recreational vehicle storage, private | P |
| Table 9-21.020 PLANNED COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL USES |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Uses | Permitted | Accessory | Reference |
| Senior center | C | ||
| Snack bar/market | C | Considered in conjunction with park/athletic feld/clubhouse facility |
|
| Supportive housing | ♦ | See Chapter9-64 | |
| Swim club | C | ||
| Tennis club | C | ||
| Transitional housing | ♦ | See Chapter9-64 |
Note: Use is permitted subject to issuance of:
C = Conditional use permit (CUP)
S = Site development permit (SDP)
T = Temporary use permit (TUP)
P = Permitted
♦ = Special requirements
(Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)); Ord. 2011-4 § 1 (Exh. A (part)); Ord. 2012-5 § 11)
§ 9-21.030. Applicable areas. ¶
The regulations and standards contained in this section shall apply to all properties designated as planned community residential use on the city zoning map.
(Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)))
§ 9-21.040. Animal husbandry. ¶
Large animal husbandry is not permitted by this zone. Chapter 9-56 prescribes standards for the keeping of animals. It is the purpose of this zone to restrict such animals to typical domestic varieties. (Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)))
§ 9-21.050. Standards. ¶
The standards applicable to this district are shown within Table 9-21.050. Some planned community residential properties may be further limited as to use or development due to application of hillside design requirements as contained in Chapter 9-50 . Deviations from the standards, which further the purpose and intent of this zone, may be granted via a conditional use permit.
| Table 9-21.050 PLANNED COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL ZONING STANDARDS |
|
|---|---|
| Item | Standard |
| Minimum lot size | No minimum. |
| Minimum lot width | No minimum. |
| Minimum lot depth | No minimum. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% |
| Maximum density | 24 units/acre on any individual project (Note: Maximum 600 dwelling units allowed; an average of 15.3 units/acre over the entire PCR zoning district.) |
| Maximum building height | 40 ft. |
| Minimum setback | 10 ft. minimum from any exterior property line. There is no setback requirement from interior property lines. |
| Minimum open space | 30% (including trails and parks) |
| Minimum landscape coverage (includes open space) | 35% (including trails and parks) |
| Table 9-21.050 PLANNED COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL ZONING STANDARDS |
|
|---|---|
| Item | Standard |
| Minimum building separation: | |
| Main**→**Main | 10 ft. |
| Main**→**Accessory | 2.5 ft. |
| Accessory**→**Accessory | 2.5 ft. |
| Parking standards | See Chapter9-44 |
| Signage | See Chapter9-42 |
(Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)))
§ 9-21.060. Compatibility standards. ¶
The following standards are intended to ensure the compatibility of uses between the planned community residential area and adjacent residential neighborhoods.
A. Building Height Limitations. Staggered building heights shall be used to ensure that hillside neighborhoods surrounding the planned community residential area retain view corridors.
B. Buffer Area. Buffer/transitional areas, such as reasonable setbacks and extensive landscaping, shall be established between the planned community residential area and the adjacent residential neighborhoods.
(Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)))
§ 9-21.070. Special standards. ¶
The following special standards shall apply to the planned community residential area to maintain the current number of existing rental opportunities on-site and add park and recreation opportunities.
A. Affordable Housing. The planned community residential area shall provide a minimum of one hundred two (102) affordable housing units to low and moderate income residents, and shall implement the goals of the city’s housing element.
B. Parks and Recreation. The planned community residential area shall provide up to thirteen (13) acres of park and recreation amenities.
(Ord. 2009-3 § 1 (Exh. A (part)))
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▸ Title 9 — Zoning and Subdivisions
Overview- Chapter 9-02 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 9-04 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 9-06 — GENERAL PLAN
- Chapter 9-08 — SPECIFIC PLANS
- Chapter 9-10 — ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED
- Chapter 9-11 — OVERLAY DISTRICTS
- Chapter 9-12 — ER ESTATE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-14 — LDR LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-16 — MLDR MEDIUM LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-18 — MDR MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-20 — HDR HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-21 — PCR PLANNED COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-22 — OP OFFICE PROFESSIONAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-24 — VC VILLAGE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-26 — FC FREEWAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-28 — CC COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-29 — NMU NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED USE DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-30 — MXU MIXED USE DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-32 — C/PI COMMUNITY/PRIVATE INSTITUTION DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-34 — OS-1 PARKS DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-36 — OS-2 DRAINAGE FACILITIES DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-38 — OS-3 LANDSCAPE CORRIDORS DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-39 — PC PLANNED COMMUNITY DISTRICT
- Chapter 9-40 — DESIGN REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
- Chapter 9-41 — OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
- Chapter 9-42 — SIGNS AND ADVERTISING DEVICES
- Chapter 9-44 — ACCESS AND PARKING
- Chapter 9-46 — LANDSCAPING STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
- Chapter 9-47 — LANDSCAPE WATER EFFICIENCY
- Chapter 9-48 — PARKS AND RECREATION DESIGN GUIDELINES
- Chapter 9-50 — HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
- Chapter 9-52 — GRADING REGULATIONS
- Chapter 9-54 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 9-56 — ANIMAL REGULATIONS
- Chapter 9-58 — COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
- Chapter 9-60 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
- Chapter 9-62 — TEMPORARY USES
- Chapter 9-64 — COMMUNITY CARE FACILITIES
- Chapter 9-66 — FLOOD MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
- Chapter 9-68 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
- Chapter 9-70 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
- Chapter 9-72 — HOUSING DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES
- Chapter 9-74 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
- Chapter 9-76 — GROWTH MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 9-78 — CONGESTION MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 9-80 — PUBLIC WORKS/ENGINEERING STANDARDS
- Chapter 9-82 — WASTE MANAGEMENT/HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
- Chapter 9-84 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
- Chapter 9-86 — SUBDIVISIONS
- Chapter 9-87 — RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS
- Chapter 9-88 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
- Chapter 9-90 — ZONING AMENDMENTS
- Chapter 9-92 — APPLICATION PROCESS AND SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 9-93 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISA…
- Chapter 9-94 — FEES AND DEPOSITS
- Chapter 9-96 — HEARINGS AND APPEALS
- Chapter 9-98 — CODE COMPLIANCE PROCESS
- Chapter 9-100 — VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
- Chapter 9-102 — URBAN VILLAGE TRAFFIC IMPACT/MITIGATION FEE PR…
- Chapter 9-103 — MARIJUANA BUSINESSES