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Chapter 17.4 — RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT BASE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

17.7 (Residential Minimum Lot Size) and Chapter 17.20 (Lot Line Adjustments) of this title.

Orinda Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Orinda

Schedule 17.4.2(A) SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Zoning District: RVL-E RVL RL-40 RL-20 RL-15 RL-12 RL-10 RL-6 RM Prescribed Lot Area (square feet, or as noted) 10 acres 5 acres 40,000 20,000 15,000 12,000 10,000 6,000 20,000 Minimum Front Lot Width (feet) 350 250 140 120 100 100 80 60 120 Minimum Front Lot Depth (feet) 400 200 140 120 100 100 90 90 120 Minimum Yard Setbacks (feet)

• Front Yard 1 25 25 25 25 20 20 20 20 15  • Side Yard 50 50 15 15 10 10 10 5 10  • Total (Combined) Side Yard 2 100 100 40 35 25 25 20 15 20  • Rear Yard 25 25 15 15 10 10 10 5 10  • Side and Rear Yard with Street Frontage 1 25 25 25 25 20 20 20 20 15 Maximum Building Height (feet) 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 Maximum Building Height (stories) 2 ½ 2 ½ 2 ½ 2 ½ 2 ½ 2 ½ 2 ½ 2 ½ 2 ½ Maximum Aggregate Building Height (feet) 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35

1  The Front, Side and Rear Yard Setback may, at the applicant's discretion, be measured from the edge of the existing paved roadway rather than from the property line (i.e., the right-of-way boundary), provided the resulting setback measures no less than fifteen (15) feet from the property line with street frontage. 2  The Total (Combined) Side Yard Setback is the combination of both Side Yard Setbacks. The Total (Combined) Side Yard Setback requirement shall not apply to those portions of the property located more than 50 feet from the front property line. Schedule 17.4.2(B) MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Zoning District: RM SH-Overlay (of RM Base District) HD-Overlay (of base RM District) RH-25 RH-40 Minimum Density (du/ac) N/A N/A N/A 20 20 Maximum Density (du/ac) 10 38 20 unless otherwise specified 25 40 Prescribed Lot Area (square feet, or as noted) 20,000 See RM See RM Minimum 22,500 Minimum 22,500 Minimum Yard Setbacks (feet)  • Front Yard 1 15 10 See RM 15 15  • Side Yard 10 10 See RM 10 10  • Total (Combined) Side Yard 20 N/A See RM 20 20  • Rear Yard 10 10 See RM 10 10  • Side and Rear Yard with Street Frontage 1 15 20 ft from face of curb See RM 15 ft from face of curb 15 ft from face of curb Building Projection Per 17.4.18 Per 17.4.18 See RM Per 17.4.18 Per 17.4.18 Maximum Building Height (feet) 27 Per closest Residential or Downtown District See RM 36 50

Maximum Building Height (stories) 2½ Per closest Residential or Downtown District See RM 3 5 Maximum Aggregate Building Height (feet) 35 Per closest Residential or Downtown District See RM N/A N/A Building Plane Line N/A Per 17.4.33.K N/A Per 17.4.35(K) Per 17.4.35(K) Building Separation N/A Per 17.4.33.M N/A As required by Building Code As required by Building Code Parking Per 17.16 Per 17.16 Per 17.16 Per 17.16 Per 17.16 Min. Private Open Space 150 sf per unit per 17.4.32(C) See RM See RM 150 150 Min. Shared Open Space 100 sf/unit per 17.4.32(C) 100 sf/unit per 17.4.33(C) 100 sf/unit per 17.4.34(F) 100 sf/unit per 17.4.35(C) 100 sf/unit per 17.4.35(C) Min. Private Storage Space 30 cubic feet/unit per 17.4.32(E) See RM See RM N/A N/A Boat and Trailer Storage Per 17.4.32(F) See RM — — — Min. Laundry Facilities If shared, 1 washer/5 units per 17.4.32(G) If shared, 1 washer/15 units per 17.4.33(D) If shared, 1 washer/15 units per 17.4.34(G) If shared, 1 washer/15 units per 17.4.35(G) If shared, 1 washer/15 units per 17.4.35(G) Lighting and Security Per 17.4.32(H) Per 17.4.33(E) Per 17.4.34(H) Per 17.4.35(E) Per 17.4.35(E) Landscaping Per 17.4.32(I) Per 17.4.33(F) Per 17.4.34(I) Per 17.4.35(F) Per 17.4.35(F) Trash Enclosures Per 17.4.32(L) Per 17.4.33(N) 17.4.34(J) Per 17.4.35(N) Per 17.4.35(N) Gathering Rooms for 8 or more units 30 sf/unit per 17.4.32(M) 10 sf/unit per 17.4.33(O) See RM 10 sf/unit per 17.4.35(O) 10 sf/unit per 17.4.35(O) Direct Pedestrian Access N/A Direct access per 17.4.33(P) N/A Direct access per 17.4.35(N) Direct access per 17.4.35(N) Mechanical Equipment Not specified Screening per 17.4.33(Q) Screening per 17.4.34(K) Screening per 17.4.35(Q) Screening per 17.4.35(Q)

1  The Front, Side and Rear Yard Setback may, at the applicant's discretion, be measured from the edge of the existing paved roadway rather than from the property line (i.e., the right-of-way boundary), provided the resulting setback measures no less than fifteen (15) feet from the property line with street frontage. Section 17.4.2 Graphic Front, Side and Rear Yards with Street Frontage

(Ord. 99-5 § 2 Exh. A (part); Ord. No. 10-10, § 2(exh. A), 1-4-11; Ord. No. 14-04, § 2(exh. A), 5-20-14; Ord. No. 19-03, § 2(Exh. A), 6-18-19; Ord. No. 25-04, § 2(Att. A, § 4), 11-3-25)

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▸Contents — Orinda Municipal Code
Orinda Municipal Code
  1. Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  2. Title 2 — ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
  3. Chapter 2.04 — CITY COUNCIL
  4. Chapter 2.08 — CITY MANAGER
  5. Chapter 2.12 — ELECTIONS
  6. Chapter 2.13 — ELECTRONIC FILING OF CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE DOCUME…
  7. Chapter 2.16 — PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
  8. Chapter 2.20 — PLANNING COMMISSION
  9. Chapter 2.28 — HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMITTEE
  10. Chapter 2.32 — EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
  11. Chapter 2.36 — LEASE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY
  12. Chapter 2.44 — UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
  13. Chapter 2.55 — PURCHASING AND CONTRACTS
  14. Title 3 — REVENUE AND FINANCE
  15. Chapter 3.04 — CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
  16. Chapter 3.08 — DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAX
  17. Chapter 3.12 — UNIFORM TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
  18. Chapter 3.14 — TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
  19. Chapter 3.16 — GAS TAX STREET IMPROVEMENT FUND
  20. Chapter 3.20 — TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FEE
  21. Chapter 3.24 — DRAINAGE IMPACT FEES
  22. Chapter 3.28 — PARK DEDICATIONS AND IMPACT FEES
  23. Chapter 3.32 — SPECIAL LIBRARY SERVICES PARCEL TAX
  24. Chapter 5.03 — BUSINESS REGISTRATION
  25. Chapter 5.04 — BINGO
  26. Chapter 5.08 — CABLE TELEVISION
  27. Chapter 5.16 — CARNIVALS AND FAIRS
  28. Chapter 5.20 — FORTUNETELLING
  29. Chapter 5.24 — MASSAGE SERVICES
  30. Article 1 — Definitions
  31. Article 2 — Applications and Permits
  32. Article 3 — Other Requirements and Regulations
  33. Chapter 5.28 — MECHANICAL AMUSEMENT DEVICES
  34. Chapter 5.32 — PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS
  35. Chapter 5.36 — PUBLIC DANCES
  36. Title 6 — ANIMALS
  37. Chapter 6.08 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  38. Title 8 — HEALTH AND SAFETY
  39. Chapter 8.04 — HEALTH REGULATIONS GENERALLY
  40. Chapter 8.08 — PUBLIC HEALTH LICENSES AND FEES
  41. Article 1 — General Provisions
  42. Article 2 — License Requirements
  43. Article 3 — License Fees
  44. Article 4 — Enforcement
  45. Chapter 8.12 — ALARM SYSTEMS
  46. Chapter 8.16 — AMBULANCES
  47. Article 2 — Permits
  48. Article 3 — Permit Suspension or Revocation
  49. Article 4 — Operation Standards
  50. Article 5 — Emergency Response
  51. Article 6 — Miscellaneous Provisions
  52. Article 7 — Enforcement
  53. Chapter 8.20 — FIRE SAFETY
  54. Chapter 8.24 — FIREWORKS
  55. Chapter 8.28 — REFUSE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL
  56. Chapter 8.30 — POLYSTYRENE REGULATIONS
  57. Chapter 8.32 — SEWAGE
  58. Division I — GENERAL REGULATIONS
  59. Article 1 — Lines and Plants
  60. Article 2 — Subdivisions and Individual Systems
  61. Chapter 8.36 — WATER WELLS
  62. Chapter 8.38 — RECYCLED WATER USE
  63. Chapter 9.04 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC OFFICERS AND GOVERNMENT
  64. Chapter 9.08 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND DECENCY
  65. Chapter 9.12 — WEAPONS
  66. Chapter 9.13 — STORAGE OF FIREARMS
  67. Chapter 9.16 — CURFEW
  68. Chapter 9.20 — OPEN ALCOHOL CONTAINERS
  69. Chapter 9.24 — ILLEGAL OR UNRULY PRIVATE PARTIES
  70. Chapter 9.28 — RESTRICTIONS ON THE ADVERTISING, ACCESS AND PRO…
  71. Chapter 9.30 — SMOKING
  72. Title 10 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
  73. Chapter 10.04 — PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION OF TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
  74. Chapter 10.08 — DEFINITIONS
  75. Chapter 10.10 — ENFORCEMENT AND OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
  76. Chapter 10.12 — TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES
  77. Chapter 10.16 — TURNING MOVEMENTS
  78. Chapter 10.20 — ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS
  79. Chapter 10.24 — SPECIAL STOPS REQUIRED
  80. Chapter 10.34 — ABANDONED, WRECKED, DISMANTLED OR INOPERATIVE …
  81. Chapter 10.36 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING—GENERALLY
  82. Chapter 10.40 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING—LOADING AND UNL…
  83. Chapter 10.44 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING—PROHIBITED OR R…
  84. Chapter 10.45 — PREFERENTIAL PARKING PRIVILEGES
  85. Chapter 10.52 — PARKING OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
  86. Chapter 10.60 — PARKING VIOLATIONS, PROCEDURES AND APPEALS
  87. Chapter 10.64 — BICYCLES, ROLLER SKATES AND COASTERS
  88. Chapter 10.70 — VEHICLE TRIP REDUCTION PROGRAM
  89. Article 2 — Employer and Complex Requirements
  90. Article 3 — Review Standards, Procedure and Appeal
  91. Article 4 — Enforcement and Penalties
  92. Chapter 12.04 — SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
  93. Chapter 12.08 — ENCROACHMENTS
  94. Article 1 — Permit Requirements
  95. Article 2 — Operations Under Permit
  96. Article 3 — Enforcement
  97. Article 4 — Miscellaneous
  98. Chapter 12.10 — SMALL-WIRELESS FACILITIES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHTS…
  99. Chapter 12.12 — ROAD DEDICATIONS AND SETBACKS
  100. Article 1 — Intent and Objectives
  101. Article 2 — Requirements and Exceptions
  102. Article 3 — Procedure
  103. Article 4 — Road Standards
  104. Article 5 — Deviations and Special Requirements
  105. Article 6 — Appeals
  106. Division II — SETBACK REQUIREMENTS
  107. Chapter 12.16 — NONVEHICULAR PROHIBITIONS IN RIGHTS-OF-WAY
  108. Chapter 12.20 — ROADSIDE SELLING
  109. Chapter 12.24 — NEWSRACKS
  110. Chapter 12.28 — PARKS
  111. Title 13 — PUBLIC SERVICES
  112. Chapter 13.12 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
  113. Chapter 15.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  114. Chapter 15.08 — BUILDING CODE
  115. Chapter 15.09 — CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE
  116. Chapter 15.10 — CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
  117. Chapter 15.11 — EXISTING BUILDING CODE
  118. Chapter 15.12 — ELECTRICAL CODE
  119. Chapter 15.16 — PLUMBING CODE
  120. Chapter 15.20 — MECHANICAL CODE
  121. Chapter 15.21 — ENERGY CODE
  122. Chapter 15.24 — UNIFORM HOUSING CODE
  123. Chapter 15.28 — HOUSE MOVING
  124. Chapter 15.32 — BUILDING PERMIT CONDITIONS
  125. Article 2 — Building Permit Conditions
  126. Article 3 — Administration
  127. Article 4 — Permits, Drainage and Streets—County Provisions
  128. Chapter 15.36 — GRADING
  129. Chapter 15.40 — SWIMMING POOLS
  130. Chapter 15.44 — WIND ENERGY COVERSION SYSTEMS
  131. Chapter 15.48 — RESIDENTIAL DWELLING WEATHERIZATION DISCLOSURE
  132. Chapter 15.56 — GAS SHUT-OFF DEVICES
  133. Chapter 15.58 — RESTRICTIONS ON THE INSTALLATION OF WOOD BURNI…
  134. Article 1 — General
  135. Article 2 — Restrictions on the Installation of Wood Burning A…
  136. Chapter 15.60 — SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
  137. Title 16 — SUBDIVISIONS
  138. Chapter 16.04 — TITLE, PURPOSE AND SCOPE
  139. Chapter 16.08 — DEFINITIONS
  140. Chapter 16.12 — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
  141. Chapter 16.16 — MERGERS
  142. Chapter 16.20 — TENTATIVE MAPS
  143. Chapter 16.24 — VESTING TENTATIVE MAPS
  144. Chapter 16.28 — FINAL MAPS AND PARCEL MAPS
  145. Article 1 — Form and Contents
  146. Article 2 — Supplementary Documents
  147. Article 3 — Checking
  148. Article 4 — Approval
  149. Chapter 16.32 — IMPROVEMENTS GENERALLY
  150. Article 1 — Form and Contents
  151. Article 2 — Public Works Department
  152. Article 3 — Construction
  153. Chapter 16.36 — STREET LIGHTING
  154. Chapter 16.40 — SIDEWALKS AND PATHS
  155. Chapter 16.44 — UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
  156. Chapter 16.48 — CURBS AND GUTTERS
  157. Chapter 16.52 — STREETS
  158. Chapter 16.56 — SURVEY MONUMENTS
  159. Chapter 16.60 — BRIDGE CROSSINGS AND MAJOR THOROUGHFARES
  160. Chapter 16.64 — DRAINAGE
  161. Chapter 16.68 — WATER AND SEWERS
  162. Chapter 16.72 — FENCES
  163. Chapter 16.80 — REVERSION TO ACREAGE
  164. Chapter 16.84 — CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS
  165. Article 2 — Applications
  166. Article 3 — Tenant Notice
  167. Article 4 — Association and Restrictions
  168. Article 5 — Evaluations
  169. Article 6 — Final and Parcel Map Filing
  170. Article 7 — Miscellaneous Provisions
  171. Chapter 17.1 — PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION
  172. Chapter 17.2 — DEFINITIONS
  173. Chapter 17.3 — RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT BASE USE RESTRICTIONS
  174. ▸Chapter 17.4 — RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT BASE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
    Overview
    1. 17.7 (Residential Minimum Lot Size) and Chapter 17.20 (Lot Lin…
  175. Chapter 17.5 — RIDGELINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION OVERLA…
  176. Chapter 17.6 — RESIDENTIAL FLOOR AREA
  177. Chapter 17.7 — RESIDENTIAL MINIMUM LOT SIZE AND HILLSIDE DEVEL…
  178. Chapter 17.8 — DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS
  179. Chapter 17.9 — PUBLIC, SEMI-PUBLIC AND UTILITY DISTRICT
  180. Chapter 17.10 — PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT
  181. Chapter 17.11 — OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
  182. Chapter 17.12 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
  183. Chapter 17.13 — SPECIFIC PLAN DISTRICT
  184. Chapter 17.15 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR ALL USES
  185. Chapter 17.16 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
  186. Chapter 17.17 — LANDSCAPING
  187. Chapter 17.18 — SIGNS
  188. Chapter 17.19 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
  189. Chapter 17.20 — LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY LOT MERGERS
  190. Chapter 17.21 — TREE MANAGEMENT
  191. Chapter 17.22 — VIEW PRESERVATION
  192. Chapter 17.23 — SATELLITE ANTENNAS
  193. Chapter 17.24 — HERITAGE TREES
  194. Chapter 17.25 — HISTORIC LANDMARKS
  195. Chapter 17.30 — DESIGN REVIEW
  196. Chapter 17.31 — GENERAL USE PERMIT
  197. Chapter 17.32 — EXCEPTIONS
  198. Chapter 17.33 — VARIANCES
  199. Chapter 17.34 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT
  200. Chapter 17.35 — ELEVATED DECK PERMIT
  201. Chapter 17.36 — COMMERCIAL USE PERMIT
  202. Chapter 17.37 — TEMPORARY EVENT PERMIT
  203. Chapter 17.38 — ZONING APPROVAL, DEMOLITION PERMIT, CITY ENGIN…
  204. Chapter 17.39 — NOISE CONTROL
  205. Chapter 17.40 — PLANNING AUTHORITY
  206. Chapter 17.41 — APPLICATIONS
  207. Chapter 17.42 — NOTICE, HEARING, DECISION
  208. Chapter 17.43 — APPEALS
  209. Chapter 17.44 — PERMIT USE, MODIFICATION, REVOCATION AND TERMI…
  210. Chapter 17.45 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
  211. Chapter 17.46 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
  212. Chapter 17.48 — AMENDMENTS TO ZONING MAP AND REGULATIONS
  213. Chapter 17.49 — DISCLOSURE STATEMENT REQUIREMENT
  214. Title 18 — CLEAN WATER, DRAINAGE AND RELATED RIPARIAN HABITAT …
  215. Chapter 18.02 — STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONTROL
  216. Chapter 18.03 — WATERCOURSE MAINTENANCE, ALTERATION AND PROTEC…
  217. Article 1 — Watercourse Maintenance
  218. Article 2 — Watercourse Alteration Permit
  219. Article 3 — Watercourse easements and setbacks.
  220. Chapter 18.04 — DESIGN STANDARDS FOR WATERCOURSES
  221. Chapter 18.05 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
  222. Article 2 — Applications
  223. Article 3 — Administration
  224. Article 4 — Flood Hazard Reduction
  225. Article 5 — Variances and Appeals.
  226. Chapter 18.06 — DEFINITIONS
  227. Title 19 — CODE COMPLIANCE
  228. Chapter 19.01 — ADMINISTRATION
  229. Chapter 19.02 — JUDICIAL COMPLIANCE
  230. Chapter 19.03 — ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLIANCE
  231. Chapter 19.04 — REMEDIES AND RELIEF

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