Title 17 — Zoning

Chapter 17.06 — ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED

Malibu Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Malibu

§ 17.06.010. Zoning districts.

The city is divided into the following zoning districts:

Zone Code Zone District
RR Rural Residential
SF Single Family Residential
MF Multifamily Residential
MFBF Multifamily Beach Front
MH Mobilehome Park
Zone Code Zone District
--- ---
CR Commercial Recreation
CN Commercial Neighborhood
CC Community Commercial
CG Commercial General
CV-l Commercial Visitor Serving - 1
CV-2 Commercial Visitor Serving - 2
PD Planned Development
I Institutional
OS Public Open Space
PRF Private Recreational Facilities
RVP Recreational Vehicle Park

All development in each land use zone shall adhere to all requirements and standards specified in that zone.

(Prior code § 9200; Ord. 86 § 3, 1993; Ord. 151 § 5, 1996; Ord. 338 § 3, 2009)

§ 17.06.020. Zoning map.

The zoning map of the city shall be the map dated August 12, 1996, as may be amended by ordinance of the city council, and divided into Sections 1 through 12, on file with the city clerk. (Prior code § 9201; Ord. 86 § 3, 1993; Ord. 151 § 28, 1996; Ord. 170, 1998; Ord. 184, 1999; Ord. 185, 1999; Ord. 216, 2000; Ord. 254 § 3, 2003; Ord. 255, 2003; Ord. 338, 2009; Ord. 351, 2010; Ord. 352, 2010; Ord. 393 § 6, 2015; Ord. 394 § 3, 2015)

§ 17.06.030. Uncertain zoning boundaries.

Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of any district shown on the zoning map, the following rules shall apply:

  • A. Where such boundaries are indicated as approximately following street and alley lines or lot lines, such lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.

  • B. Where a district boundary divides a lot, the location of such boundary, unless indicated by dimension, shall be determined by the use of the scale appearing on the zoning map.

  • C. In case any uncertainty exists, the director shall determine the location of boundaries.

  • D. Where any public street or alley is officially vacated or abandoned, the regulations applicable to abutting properties shall apply to such vacated or abandoned street or alley.

The table set out in Section 17.06.050 summarizes the basic standards and character of the land use districts except for the specific plan zone. It is for illustration only; the specific provisions of this title shall govern the development of land in the city.

(Prior code § 9202; Ord. 86 § 3, 1993; Ord. 254 § 3, 2003)

§ 17.06.040. Overlay districts.

  • A. Specific Plan (SP). The SP overlay enables the city to address unique areas within the community which warrant a comprehensive set of land use policies and standards through the adoption and implementation of specific plans. The SP overlay shall be developed according to adopted performance standards, including traffic, geological, hydroelectrical and wastewater impacts.

  • B. Flood Hazard Area Overlay (FHA). The overlay identifies those areas identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be at a risk of flooding.

  • C. Historical Preservation Overlay (HP). The HP overlay identifies for protection and preservation purposes existing historically significant sites, areas, or structures which contribute to Malibu's sense of time, place, community, or identity.

(Prior code § 9203; Ord. 86 § 3, 1993; Ord. 151 § 6, 1996)

§ 17.06.050. Development standards summary and the minimum lot dimension requirements.

The table in Section 17.06.050 (Development Standards Summary and the Minimum Lot Dimension Requirements) of the Municipal Code is amended to read as follows:

Land Use Guide
Designations
Minimum Lot
Size/Density
Requirement
Minimum Lot
Dimension
Requirements
Impermeable
Coverage Limits*
Rural Residential Districts:
(RR-20) 20 acres
(RR-10) 10 acres Width: 150 ft.
Depth: 250 ft.
30% to 45%, not to
exceed 25,000 sq. ft.
(RR-5) 5 acres
(RR-2) 2 acres
(RR-1) 1 acre
Single-Family Residential: Width: 80 ft.
Depth: 120 ft.
30% to 45%, not to
exceed 25,000 sq. ft.
(SF-L) .5 acre
(SF-M) .25 acre
Multiple Family (MF) 6 units/acre; 20,000 sq.
ft.
Width: 100 ft.
Depth: 150 ft.
30% to 45% (25,000
sq. ft. maximum)
Multifamily Beach
Front (MFBF)
1 unit per 1,885 sq. ft.
of lot area, not to
exceed 4 units
Width: 50 ft.
Depth: 100 ft.
30% to 45% (25,000
sq. ft. maximum)
Mobilehome District
(MH)
N/A N/A N/A
Planned Development
(PD)
N/A N/A N/A
Commercial Districts: Width Depth
(CR) 1 acre 100 ft. 150 ft. 35% with exemption for
courtyards, patios
(CN) 2 acres 200 ft. 350 ft.
(CC) 5 acres 300 ft. 500 ft.
Land Use Guide
Designations
Minimum Lot
Size/Density
Requirement
Minimum Lot
Dimension
Requirements
Impermeable
Coverage Limits*
--- --- --- ---
(CG) 5 acres 300 ft. 500 ft.
(CV-I) 5 acres 300 ft. 500 ft.
(CV-2)
Institutional (I)
5 acres
.5 acres
300 ft. 500 ft.
Width: 80 ft.
Depth: 125 ft.
70%
Public Open Space
(OS)
N/A N/A N/A
Private Recreational
Facilities (PRF)
10 acres Width: 80 ft.
Depth: 125 ft.
35% with exemption for
courtyards, patios
Recreational Vehicle
Park (RVP)
10 acres Width: 300 ft.
Depth: 500 ft.
35% with exemption for
courtyards, patios
Malibu Bay Company
Overlay District
.25 acres Width: 45 ft.
Depth: 120 ft.
N/A

(Prior code § 9205; Ord. 86 § 3, 1993; Ord. 105 § 4, 1994; Ord. 111 § 8, 1995; Ord. 151 §§ 7, 8, 1996; Ord. 338, § 4, 7-27-2009; Ord. 344 § 5, 2010; Ord. 373 § 6, 2013)