Los Alamitos Municipal Code § 17.08.030 Development Standards in Residential Zones

A. Generally. The purpose of the residential zones is to:

1. Provide for a full range of housing types and densities consistent with the General Plan;

2. Preserve, protect, and enhance the character of Los Alamitos' residential neighborhoods and the quality of life of City residents;

3. Ensure adequate light, air, privacy, and open space for each dwelling; and

4. Ensure that the scale and design of new development and alterations to existing structures are compatible with surrounding homes and appropriate to the physical characteristics of the site and the area where the project is proposed.

B. Individual Zones. The purposes of the individual residential zones and the manners in which they are applied are as follows:

1. Single-Family Residential Zone (R-1). The R-1 zone identifies lots designed to accommodate single-family dwellings on individual lots and planned-unit developments consisting exclusively of detached single-family dwellings. The maximum permitted density is six dwelling units per net acre. The R-1 zone implements the General Plan Single-Family Residential land use designation.

2. Limited Multi-Family Residential - 20 Zone (R-2). The R-2 zone applies to lots providing low-density multi-family housing consisting of more than one detached individual dwelling unit on one lot or attached dwelling units consisting of no more than three units in one structure. The maximum permitted density is six to 20 dwelling units per net acre. The R-2 zone implements the General Plan Limited Multi-Family Residential land use designation.

3. Multi-Family Residential - 25 Zone (R-3). The R-3 zone apples to lots intended to provide multi-family housing. Housing types permitted include those permitted in the R-1 and R-2 zones, as well as structures containing four or more dwelling units. The maximum permitted density is 20 to 25 dwelling units per net acre. The R-3 zone implements the General Plan Multi-Family Residential land use designation.

4. Multi-Family Residential - 36 Zone (R-4). The R-4 zone apples to lots intended to provide multi-family housing. Housing types permitted include those permitted in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, as well as structures containing four or more dwelling units. The maximum permitted density is 30 to 36 dwelling units per net acre. The R-4 zone implements the General Plan Multi-Family Residential-36 land use designation.

5. Mobile Home Residential Zone (M-H). The M-H zone is established to accommodate and preserve mobile home park housing developments and subdivisions. The M-H zone implements the General Plan Limited Multi-Family Residential land use designation.

(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019; Ord. 23-01 § 4, 2023)

A. Use Regulations. This section, and Table 2-02 (Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Residential Zones) in particular, identifies the uses of land that may be allowed within each of the zones established in Section 17.04.020 (Zones Established) and indicates whether any special permit is required for each allowable use.

B. Permitted Uses, Use Permits, and Uses Not Allowed.

1. Permitted Use ("P"). A permitted use is a use permitted as a matter of right, subject to compliance with applicable provisions of this Zoning Code, including Site Development Permit—Major and Minor (Chapter 17.44) and a building permit or other permit required by the Municipal Code.

2. Permitted as an Accessory Use ("A"). Accessory uses are uses clearly incidental to a primary permitted or conditionally permitted use are permitted as a matter of right, subject to the requirements of this Zoning Code, including Section 17.28.030 (Accessory Structures/Uses—Residential).

3. Administrative Use Permit ("AUP"). Uses that are allowed subject to the approval of an Administrative Use Permit (Chapter 17.32).

4. Conditional Use Permit ("CUP"). Uses that are allowed subject to the approval of a Conditional Use Permit (Chapter 17.32).

5. Temporary Use Permit ("TUP"). Temporary uses are subject to the approval of a Temporary Use Permit (Chapter 17.46).

6. Special Use Permit ("SUP"). Uses that are allowed subject to approval of a Special Use Permit (Section 17.28.290 of Chapter 17.28).

7. Uses Not Allowed ("—"). Uses with an "—" indication in Table 2-02 are not allowed in the specified zone.

C. Specific Use Regulations. All uses, regardless of the type of permit that may be required, shall comply with applicable provision of this Zoning Code. In addition, if there is a section number in the last column of the Table 2-02 labeled Specific Use Regulations, the use is also subject to the referenced provisions.

D. Zoning Permit Required. For any use permitted as a matter of right, such use shall require approval of a Zoning Permit in compliance with Chapter 17.50 (Zoning Consistency Review).

E. Multiple Uses on a Single Site. When a proposed project includes multiple land uses and more than one type of land use permit is required, the most restrictive land use permit shall apply to the entire project application.

F. Director Determination. Land uses are defined in Division 7 (Definitions). In cases where a specific land use or activity is not defined, the Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification substantially similar in character, pursuant to Section 17.02.020 (Rules of Interpretation). Land uses not listed in Table 2-02 or not found to be substantially similar to the land uses, as determined by the Director, are prohibited.

Table 2-02: Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Residential Zones

(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 13-04 § 3, 2013; Ord. 14-03 § 3, 2014; Ord. 14-07 § 2, 2014; Ord. 15-11 § 4, 2016; Ord. 17-08 § 6, 2017; Ord. 17-09 § 3, 2017; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019; Ord. 20-04 § 3, 2020; Ord. 22-02 § 3, 2022; Ord. 23-01 § 5, 2023; Ord. 2025-06, 9/15/2025)

A. The general property development standards for the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and MH zones shall be as set forth in Table 2-03: Development Standards for Residential Zones.

B. In the R-2 zone, where a lot has been subdivided for the purpose of establishing one single-family residential unit per lot, the standards for the R-1 zone shall apply, except the minimum lot size shall be 5,000 square feet and the minimum lot width shall be 50 feet.

C. In addition to the standards set forth in Table 2-03, Section 17.08.045 (Design Standards for Multi-Family Housing) shall apply.

Table 2-03: Development Standards in Residential Zones

(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019; Ord. 21-02 § 3, 2021; Ord. 23-01 § 6, 2023)

A. A minimum of 50 percent of the required front yard setback shall be landscaped with plant materials.

B. The required front yard landscaped area shall include landscaping (plant materials) along each side property line with minimum dimensions of four feet wide by 16 feet in length (see Figure 2-01). This requirement shall only apply to the development of a new residential use or renovation of an existing residential use which includes modifications to the existing garage or front yard that occurs after April 15, 2014.

C. The Director shall have the authority, through the Minor Modifications process pursuant to Chapter 17.40 (Minor Modifications), to allow an exception to the requirements of subsections A and B, above, if necessary to provide safe and adequate property ingress and egress.

D. A Site Development Permit—Minor pursuant to Chapter 17.44 (Site Development Permit—Major and Minor) shall be required to deviate from the requirements of subsections A and B, above, for any purpose—including to allow access to a parking pad in a side or rear setback—other than providing for safe and adequate property ingress and egress.

(Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019; Ord. 2025-11, 11/17/2025)

A. Building Design.

1. Except in the R-4 and TCMU districts, for buildings higher than two stories, the third story shall step back a minimum of five feet from the story below to minimize building bulk and create façade articulation.

2. Building façades shall incorporate details such as window trim, window recesses, cornices, changes in material, color, or other design elements in an integrated composition.

3. Roofs shall be designed to drain away from neighboring properties.

4. On multi-story buildings, windows shall be placed to provide privacy for adjacent properties, such as avoiding having windows directly facing each other across lot lines.

5. Carport roofs visible from the public right-of-way or on-site buildings shall incorporate roof slopes and materials to match adjacent buildings.

B. Pedestrian Access.

1. Clearly marked pedestrian walkways shall be provided from parking areas to building entryways and shall be designed to minimize pedestrian/vehicle conflicts.

2. Interior and exterior pedestrian walkways with access within and to the residential or mixed-use projects shall be defined by landscaping and lighting that are consistent with the scale and architecture of the buildings they serve.

C. Other Design Standards.

1. Transformers shall not be located within any required private open space area.

2. Transformers, other on-site utility equipment, and on-site fire department connections shall be screened from view from public rights-of-way by landscaping or ground-mounted structures/fencing of materials and colors that match on-site architecture.

3. Stormwater retention ponds, where provided, shall be designed as a landscape feature.

D. Design Standards Specific to R-4 Zone.

1. Balconies.

a. No more than 40 percent of balconies on a project shall extend beyond the façade of the building; and the maximum projection shall be 25 percent of the balcony's full depth. All other balconies shall be recessed into the building façade.

b. No balconies shall overhang into the public right-of-way or sidewalk not including the portion of the building setback behind the existing property line.

c. Balconies can overhang the area of the building setback, behind the property line.

2. Indoor Common Area.

a. 25 percent of the required common area up to a maximum area of 3,000 square feet may be located indoors.

b. A minimum area of 400 square feet with a minimum dimension of 20 feet in each direction is required to qualify as indoor common area.

c. Indoor common areas shall have a minimum floor to ceiling height of 12 feet.

d. At least one wall on an indoor common area shall be a glazed building exterior.

e. Indoor common areas shall connect directly to an outdoor common area.

f. Indoor common areas shall not include spaces used primarily for circulation.

3. Materials. No more than 60 percent of the building façade shall be clad with exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) or stucco.

(Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019; Ord. 23-01 § 7, 2023)

If a laundry area is not provided in every unit, a common laundry area shall be provided with a minimum of one washer and one dryer for each eight units. Such common laundry area shall be centrally located to the units to be served.

(Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)

A. Use.

1. No mobile home shall be used for any purpose other than a dwelling.

2. Each mobile home shall be located on an approved mobile home site, and all mobile home sites shall be designed to accommodate independent mobile homes. No home site shall be used as the location for more than one mobile home or trailer.

B. Property Boundary Setback. Mobile homes and other structures shall not be located closer than five feet from any property line of the mobile home park or subdivision.

C. Space Boundary Setback. Mobile homes shall not be located closer than three feet from their space boundary line.

D. Compliance with State Law. All mobile home parks shall comply with the regulations contained in the California Code of Regulations, Title 25, Article I, Chapter 2.

(Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)

A. Setbacks—Exceptions.

1. Front Yard Setback in R-2 and R-3 Zones. When a lot in an R-2 or R-3 zone is approved for single-family residential use by means of a subdivision or lot split and a resulting lot has an area of less than 9,000 square feet, the lot may have a minimum front yard setback of 15 feet.

2. Front Yard Setback in R-3 Zone. In the R-3 zone, front yard setbacks may vary provided an average building setback of 20 feet is maintained along an entire block face, with no setback less than 15 feet.

3. Side Yard Setback in R-2 and R-3 Zones. Where a dwelling or dwellings have an entry facing a common property line, the entry must open onto a minimum 15-foot by 15-foot outdoor court.

B. Heights of Institutional Facilities. Private schools, places of religious assembly, and utility facilities may include structures up to 50 feet high. Such additional height above the maximum height requirement for the applicable zone shall be granted through a Conditional Use Permit. Any structure taller than 25 feet shall be set back an additional five feet minimum (relative to minimum required setback) for any portion of the building taller than 25 feet.

(Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019; Ord. 21-02 §§ 4—5, 2021)

New land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures, shall be designed, constructed, and/or established in compliance with the requirements in Division 3—Site Planning and General Development Standards and Division 4—Regulations for Specific Land Uses and Activities.

(Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)