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Title 17 — Zoning

Chapter 17.10 — SF SINGLE FAMILY DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT

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

§ 17.10.010. Purpose.

The SF district will serve the majority of the city's single-family residential parcels. The intent of the district is to enhance the rural characteristics of the community by maintaining low density residential development in a manner which respects surrounding property owners and the natural environment. (Prior code § 9220; Ord. 86 § 3, 1993)

§ 17.10.020. Permitted uses.

The following uses and structures are permitted in the SF district:

  • A. One single-family residence per lot;

  • B. Small family day care and residential care facilities serving six or fewer persons;

  • C. Accessory uses and structures as follows:

    1. Accessory buildings customarily ancillary to single-family residences including, but not limited to, guest units 900 square feet maximum, detached garages, barns, pool houses, gazebos, storage sheds, and greenhouses (noncommercial),

    2. Recreational structures including, but not limited to, pools, spas, nonilluminated sports courts, and noncommercial corrals,

    3. Domestic animals,

    4. Raising of crops including, but not limited to, field, trees, bush, berry row and nursery stock, provided there is no retail sale from the premises,

    5. Raising of horses, sheep, goats, donkeys, mules and other equine cattle for personal use by residents on the premises, subject to the following conditions:

      • a. The subject property is a minimum of 15,000 square feet in size,

      • b. The maximum number of animals listed above does not exceed one animal (over six months of age) for every 5,000 square feet of lot area,

      • c. The animals shall be maintained in an area a minimum of 50 feet from any building used for human habitation;

    6. Agricultural employee housing, crop related,

  • D. Manufactured homes, pursuant to Government Code Section 65852.3 ;

  • E. Second units, pursuant to Government Code Section 65852.2 ;

  • F. Large family day care facilities (serving seven to 12 persons), subject to Section 17.66.110 ;

  • G. Temporary placement of mobilehomes and trailers subject to the conditions of Section 17.40.040(A)(18).

  • H. Transitional and supportive housing permitted in the same manner as a single-family residence and subject to all the restrictions that apply to single-family residential uses.

  • (Prior code § 9221; Ord. 86 § 3, 1993; Ord. 104 § 2, 1993; Ord. 449 § 8, 2019)

§ 17.10.030. Uses subject to director's review.

The following uses and structures may be permitted subject to obtaining a minor conditional use permit:

  • A. Home occupations, subject to Section 17.40.040(A)(19);

  • B. Private equestrian and/or hiking trails.

(Prior code § 9222; Ord. 86 § 3, 1993; Ord. 93 § 15, 1993; Ord. 104 § 1, 1993)

§ 17.10.040. Conditionally permitted uses.

The following uses may be permitted subject to obtaining a conditional use permit:

  • A. Utility facilities related to public projects;

  • B. Neighborhood recreation facilities for use by surrounding residents;

  • C. Nursery schools, day care facilities;

  • D. Lighted sports courts;

  • E. Emergency communication and service facilities. (Prior code § 9223; Ord. 86 § 3, 1993; Ord. 193 § 7(2)(2), 1999)

§ 17.10.050. Lot development criteria.

  • A. All new lots created within the SF district shall comply with the following criteria:

    1. Minimum Lot Area. All new parcels created within the SF district shall comply with the minimum corresponding SF designation indicated on the zoning map as follows:

      • a. SF-L: 0.5 unit per acre.

      • b. SF-M: one unit per 0.25 acre.

        • i. Beachfront: one unit per 0.25 acre.
    2. Minimum lot width: 80 feet.

      • a. Beachfront minimum lot width: 45 feet.
    3. Minimum lot depth: 120 feet.

      • a. Beachfront minimum lot depth: 120 feet.
  • B. Site Development. In addition to the regulations contained in this chapter, all uses in the SF district shall be subject to the applicable standards located in the following chapters:

Chapter 17.40 : Property Development and Design Standards;

Chapter 17.48 : Parking Requirements;

Chapter 17.52 : Sign Standards;

Chapter 17.62 : Development Permits;

Chapter 17.66 : Conditional Use Permits;

Chapter 17.72 : Variances and Modifications;

Chapter 17.68 : Temporary Use Permits;

Chapter 17.70 : Demolition Permits.

(Prior code § 9224; Ord. 86 § 3, 1993; Ord. 93 § 16, 1993; Ord. 105 § 6, 1994; Ord. 111 § 9, 1994; Ord. 254 § 3, 2003; Ord. 344 § 3, 2010)

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Contents — Malibu Zoning Code
Malibu Zoning Code
  1. Title 17 — Zoning
    Overview
    1. Chapter 17.02 — INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
    2. Chapter 17.04 — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
    3. Chapter 17.06 — ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED
    4. Chapter 17.08 — RR RURAL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    5. Chapter 17.10 — SF SINGLE FAMILY DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    6. Chapter 17.12 — MF MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    7. Chapter 17.14 — MFBF MULTIFAMILY BEACH FRONT DISTRICT
    8. Chapter 17.16 — MH MOBILEHOME DISTRICT
    9. Chapter 17.18 — CR COMMERCIAL RECREATIONAL DISTRICT
    10. Chapter 17.20 — PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
    11. Chapter 17.22 — CN COMMERCIAL NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT
    12. Chapter 17.24 — CC COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    13. Chapter 17.26 — CV-1 COMMERCIAL VISITOR SERVING DISTRICT
    14. Chapter 17.28 — CV-2 COMMERCIAL VISITOR SERVING DISTRICT
    15. Chapter 17.30 — CG COMMERCIAL GENERAL DISTRICT
    16. Chapter 17.32 — OS PUBLIC OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
    17. Chapter 17.34 — I INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT
    18. Chapter 17.36 — PRF PRIVATE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES DISTRICT
    19. Chapter 17.38 — RVP RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARK
    20. Chapter 17.39 — MALIBU COAST ESTATE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (PD) D…
    21. Chapter 17.40 — PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN STANDARDS
    22. Chapter 17.41 — MALIBU DARK SKY
    23. Chapter 17.41.1 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    24. Chapter 17.42 — CUSTOM DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA
    25. Chapter 17.43 — VIEW RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION FOR MALIBU C…
    26. Chapter 17.44 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
    27. Chapter 17.45 — CITYWIDE VIEW PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION
    28. Chapter 17.46 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
    29. Chapter 17.47 — RECREATION AND LEISURE STANDARDS FOR PARK AND …
    30. Chapter 17.48 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING REQUIREMENTS
    31. Chapter 17.49 — COVENANT OF EASEMENT
    32. Chapter 17.50 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
    33. Chapter 17.52 — SIGNS
    34. Chapter 17.53 — LANDSCAPE WATER CONSERVATION AND FIRE PROTECTION
    35. Chapter 17.54 — CULTURAL RESOURCE PRESERVATION
    36. Chapter 17.55 — SHORT-TERM RENTAL OF PROPERTY
    37. Chapter 17.56 — HIGHWAY AND PARKWAY DEDICATION AND IMPROVEMENTS
    38. Chapter 17.58 — PARKLAND DEVELOPMENT FEE
    39. Chapter 17.59 — ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
    40. Chapter 17.60 — NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES AND USES
    41. Chapter 17.61 — FORMULA RETAIL CLEARANCE
    42. Chapter 17.62 — DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
    43. Chapter 17.63 — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY—REQUEST FOR REASONABLE A…
    44. Chapter 17.64 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    45. Chapter 17.66 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
    46. Chapter 17.68 — TEMPORARY USE PERMITS
    47. Chapter 17.70 — DEMOLITION PERMITS
    48. Chapter 17.72 — VARIANCES AND STRINGLINE MODIFICATIONS
    49. Chapter 17.74 — AMENDMENTS
    50. Chapter 17.75 — CANNABIS REGULATIONS

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