Chapter 17.36 — DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

Table 17.36.010-1 (Development Standards – Single-Family Residential) and Table 17.36.010-2 (Development Standards – Multifamily Residential) describe the development standards for the residential zones. Additional regulations are also denoted in the right-hand column. Section numbers in this column refer to other Sections of this Title.

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Table 17.36.010-1. Development Standards – Single-Family Residential
Residential Zones – Single-Family Residential Development Standards
Standards ER LDR SFR 1 SFR 2 SFR 3 RN 1 RN 2 RN 3 Additional Regulations
Lot and Density Standards 1
Net Density (units/acre)
Minimum 0 0 0 0 0 6 10 20 Applies to new development only
Maximum 0.4 1 2 4.4 6 10 20 30
Minimum Net Lot Size per 80,000 40,000 20,000 10,000 7,000 3,800 1,900 1,250
Dwelling Unit (sf) (for new SFR
lots)
Minimum Lot Width per 150 100 100 80 60 40; 50 for corner 30; 40 for 20; 30 for corner • Lots siding onto a railroad right-
Dwelling Unit (ft) (for new SFR and reverse corner and and reverse of-way shall increase the
lots)1 corner lots reverse corner corner lots minimum required lot width by
lots an additional 40 feet.
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City of Palmdale, CA

§ 17.36.010

§ 17.36.010

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Table 17.36.010-1. Development Standards – Single-Family Residential
Residential Zones – Single-Family Residential Development Standards
Standards ER LDR SFR 1 SFR 2 SFR 3 RN 1 RN 2 RN 3 Additional Regulations
• Attached Single-Family Homes/
Townhomes: A minimum lot
width of 30 to 40 feet may be
necessary for townhomes with
double loaded attached garages in
front, and to comply with parking
location and design requirements.
Minimum lot width may be
reduced to 20 feet if garages are
single-car wide, detached and/or
accessed from an alley.
• Small-Lot Detached Single-
Family Homes: A lot width of 35
feet may be necessary for small-
lot single-family homes with
attached double loaded garages in
front and to comply with parking
location and design requirements.
Lot width may be reduced to 30
feet if garages are single-car
wide, detached and/or accessed
from an alley.
Minimum Lot Depth per 200 200 100 100 100 75 55 45 Where a lot directing backs onto a
Dwelling Unit (ft) (for SFR new railroad right-of-way, the minimum
lots)1 1 lot depth shall be 130 feet.
Maximum Unit Size per – – – – – 3,500 3,000 2,500 Inclusive of attached garage space.
Dwelling Unit (sf) (for SFR)
Maximum Lot Coverage (% of 20 30 30 40 50 60 75 NA See PMC § 17.17.050 (Floor area
lot) and lot coverage).
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Table 17.36.010-1. Development Standards – Single-Family Residential
Residential Zones – Single-Family Residential Development Standards
Standards ER LDR SFR 1 SFR 2 SFR 3 RN 1 RN 2 RN 3 Additional Regulations
• Attached Single-Family Homes/
Townhomes: A minimum lot
width of 30 to 40 feet may be
necessary for townhomes with
double loaded attached garages in
front, and to comply with parking
location and design requirements.
Minimum lot width may be
reduced to 20 feet if garages are
single-car wide, detached and/or
accessed from an alley.
• Small-Lot Detached Single-
Family Homes: A lot width of 35
feet may be necessary for small-
lot single-family homes with
attached double loaded garages in
front and to comply with parking
location and design requirements.
Lot width may be reduced to 30
feet if garages are single-car
wide, detached and/or accessed
from an alley.
Minimum Lot Depth per 200 200 100 100 100 75 55 45 Where a lot directing backs onto a
Dwelling Unit (ft) (for SFR new railroad right-of-way, the minimum
lots)1 1 lot depth shall be 130 feet.
Maximum Unit Size per – – – – – 3,500 3,000 2,500 Inclusive of attached garage space.
Dwelling Unit (sf) (for SFR)
Maximum Lot Coverage (% of 20 30 30 40 50 60 75 NA See PMC § 17.17.050 (Floor area
lot) and lot coverage).
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City of Palmdale, CA

§ 17.36.010

§ 17.36.010

PALMDALE CODE

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Table 17.36.010-1. Development Standards – Single-Family Residential
Residential Zones – Single-Family Residential Development Standards
Standards ER LDR SFR 1 SFR 2 SFR 3 RN 1 RN 2 RN 3 Additional Regulations
Building Form and Location
Maximum Height (ft)/Stories – 35/2 stories 35/2 stories 35/2 35/2 stories 35/2 stories 35/2.5 stories 40/3 stories 50/4 stories • Projects must comply with both
Primary Structure stories stories and overall height
maximums. See PMC
§ 17.17.030 (Measuring heights).
• Architectural features may project
above the maximum height by
five feet. Architectural features
include rooftop stair access and
elevator shafts, mechanical
equipment, or other rooftop
amenities, as approved by the
Director.
Maximum Height (ft)/Stories – 40/2 stories 40/2 stories 17/1 story 17/1 story 17/1 story 17/1 story 17/1 story 17/1 story
Accessory Building
Minimum Distance Between See PMC § 17.82.050 (Distance between buildings in residential and mixed-use zones)
Structures (both between main
structures and accessory
structures)
Lot Setbacks – Minimums (ft) Applies to individual lots within a
development site.
Front (primary frontage) 35 25 20 15 15 10 5 5 • For new single-family attached
and detached dwelling units,
front-loaded garages shall be set
back at minimum 20 feet from the
property line.
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City of Palmdale, CA

§ 17.36.010

§ 17.36.010

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Table 17.36.010-1. Development Standards – Single-Family Residential
Residential Zones – Single-Family Residential Development Standards
Standards ER LDR SFR 1 SFR 2 SFR 3 RN 1 RN 2 RN 3 Additional Regulations
• For RN 3, front-loaded parking is
not allowed.
Street Side (corner lots)2 2 35 25 20 15 15 10 5 5
Interior Side 25 20 15 5 ft 5 ft 5 5 5 • Only applies to detached single-
minimum minimum family dwellings and the ends of
on one side on one side attached single-family dwellings.
of the of the
• Where a railroad right-of-way is
dwelling dwelling
located along the side setback of
unit, and 10 unit, and 10
a lot, the minimum side setback
ft minimum ft minimum
for the habitable residential
required on required on
structure(s) on the lot shall be 50
the garage the garage
feet.
side side
Interior Side – Zero Lot Line/ – – – – – 10 ft minimum on 10 ft minimum 10 ft minimum on See PMC § 17.37.020 (Zero lot line
Common Wall Developments one side of the on one side of one side of the option).
dwelling unit, and the dwelling dwelling unit, and
no setback unit, and no no setback
required on the setback required on the
opposite side required on the opposite side
opposite side
Rear 45 40 30 20 20 15 15 15 Where a railroad right-of-way is
located along the rear setback of a
lot, the minimum side setback for
the habitable residential structure(s)
on the lot shall be 50 feet.
Alley (when present) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Garage Frontage
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Table 17.36.010-1. Development Standards – Single-Family Residential
Residential Zones – Single-Family Residential Development Standards
Standards ER LDR SFR 1 SFR 2 SFR 3 RN 1 RN 2 RN 3 Additional Regulations
• For RN 3, front-loaded parking is
not allowed.
Street Side (corner lots)2 2 35 25 20 15 15 10 5 5
Interior Side 25 20 15 5 ft 5 ft 5 5 5 • Only applies to detached single-
minimum minimum family dwellings and the ends of
on one side on one side attached single-family dwellings.
of the of the
• Where a railroad right-of-way is
dwelling dwelling
located along the side setback of
unit, and 10 unit, and 10
a lot, the minimum side setback
ft minimum ft minimum
for the habitable residential
required on required on
structure(s) on the lot shall be 50
the garage the garage
feet.
side side
Interior Side – Zero Lot Line/ – – – – – 10 ft minimum on 10 ft minimum 10 ft minimum on See PMC § 17.37.020 (Zero lot line
Common Wall Developments one side of the on one side of one side of the option).
dwelling unit, and the dwelling dwelling unit, and
no setback unit, and no no setback
required on the setback required on the
opposite side required on the opposite side
opposite side
Rear 45 40 30 20 20 15 15 15 Where a railroad right-of-way is
located along the rear setback of a
lot, the minimum side setback for
the habitable residential structure(s)
on the lot shall be 50 feet.
Alley (when present) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Garage Frontage
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City of Palmdale, CA

§ 17.36.010

§ 17.36.010

PALMDALE CODE

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Table 17.36.010-1. Development Standards – Single-Family Residential
Residential Zones – Single-Family Residential Development Standards
Standards ER LDR SFR 1 SFR 2 SFR 3 RN 1 RN 2 RN 3 Additional Regulations
Maximum Parking Frontage on a – The garage portion(s) of any new primary single- 60% 60% – For RN 1 and RN 2 SFR: Applies
Public Street (for new residential family residential structure shall be designed to to new development. Garage doors
development) comply with at least one of the following criteria: that face the street shall not occupy
1. The garage doors shall not extend across more more than the stated percentage of
than 40% of the street facing facade of the primary the width of any street-facing
residential structure. building facade. This limitation
2. The garage is attached to the primary residential does not apply to frontages along
structure through a breezeway or other portion of alleys.
the primary structure, and is located in the rear of
the lot.
3. The garage is detached from the primary
residential structure and located within the rear of
the lot.
4. The garage is designed with a side-on entry, with
decorative windows facing the street.
5. The garage doors shall not extend across more
than 50% of the street facing facade of the primary
residential structure, and shall comply with at least
one of the following criteria:
a. The entire area above the garage is developed
as a habitable space. Any garage bays that are in
excess of 40% of the street facing facade shall be
recessed at least two feet from the rest of the
garage; or
b. Any garage bay that is in excess of 40% of the
street-facing facade shall be recessed at least 10
feet from the rest of the garage door facade. A
decorative trellis a minimum of eight feet in
depth shall be provided above the entire width of
the recessed garage bay; or
c. The habitable portion of the house or a covered
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City of Palmdale, CA

§ 17.36.010

§ 17.36.010

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Table 17.36.010-1. Development Standards – Single-Family Residential
Residential Zones – Single-Family Residential Development Standards
Standards ER LDR SFR 1 SFR 2 SFR 3 RN 1 RN 2 RN 3 Additional Regulations
porch shall project a minimum of six feet in front
of all garage doors.
6. Other alternative designs as reviewed and
approved by the Planning Commission.
Open Space Standards
Minimum Usable Open Space (sf – – – – – 300 sf total per 200 sf total per 200 sf total per • Setback areas are not considered
per unit) unit, of which unit, minimum unit; minimum usable open space unless they are
150 ft must be 100 sf of 100 sf of private at least 20 feet wide. Minimum
private private open open space for private open space is 6 feet in
space required ground-level either direction.
for ground- units and 60 sf of
• See PMC § 17.38.050 (Open
level units and private open
space).
60 sf of private space for upper-
open space for level units
upper-level
units
Maximum front yard paving A maximum of 40 percent of the required front yard setback, excluding the driveway, shall be covered with impervious
surfaces.
Minimum Required Landscaping See PMC § 17.37.010(G) (Landscaping) See PMC § 17.86.010
(Landscaping requirements)
Other Standards See additional standards in PMC Chapter 17.37 (Supplemental Standards for Single-Family Residential
Development), Division 8 (General Development Standards), Division 9 (Special Regulations), Division 10
(Environmental Management), and the City of Palmdale Multifamily and Mixed-Use Design Standards [1] (Adopted
by Ordinance 1594)
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1. Editor's Note: Said City of Palmdale Multifamily and Mixed Use Design Standards are included as an attachment to this title.

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City of Palmdale, CA

PALMDALE CODE

§ 17.36.010

§ 17.36.010

Notes:

1. The lot depth to width ratio shall not exceed 3:1.

2. For lots of record, created and recorded prior to the effective date of this Zoning Ordinance for which the alternate section was specifically allowed, the front yard setback may include the landscaped parkway located between the edge of the sidewalk and the property line.

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Table 17.36.010-2. Development Standards – Multifamily Residential
Residential Zones – Multifamily Residential Development Standards
Standards RN 2 RN 3 RN 4 Additional Regulations
Lot and Density Standards
Net Density (units/acre)
Minimum 10 20 30 Applies to new development only
Maximum 20 30 50
Minimum Development Project Site Area (sf) 10,000 10,000 20,000
(for new lots)
Minimum Development Project Site Width (ft) 60 60 100
(for new lots)
Minimum Development Project Site Depth (ft) 100 100 100
(for new lots)
Building Form and Location
Maximum Height (ft) – Primary Building 40/3 stories 50/4 stories 60/5 stories • Projects must comply with both stories and overall
height maximums. See PMC § 17.17.030 (Measuring
heights).
• Architectural features may project above the maximum
height by five feet. Architectural features include
rooftop stair access and elevator shafts, mechanical
equipment, or other rooftop amenities, as approved by
City staff.
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City of Palmdale, CA

§ 17.36.010

§ 17.36.010

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Table 17.36.010-2. Development Standards – Multifamily Residential
Residential Zones – Multifamily Residential Development Standards
Standards RN 2 RN 3 RN 4 Additional Regulations
Maximum Height (ft) – Accessory Building 17/1 story 17/1 story 17/1 story
Maximum Height Adjacent to Single-Family Starting from the third floor up, step back each subsequent floor by 15 ft for every two See PMC § 17.38.060 (Neighborhood transitions).
Zoned Property floors. See Figure 17.38.060-1 (Transitions to Lower Density Building Types).
Minimum Distance between Structures (both See PMC § 17.82.050 (Distance between buildings in residential and mixed-use zones)
between main structures and accessory
structures (excluding accessory dwelling units))
Development Site Setbacks (ft)
Front – Minimum 15 15 15
Front – Maximum1 25 25 25
Street Side – Minimum 15 10 10
Street Side – Maximum1 25 20 20
Interior Side – Minimum 5 ft; 10 ft abutting single- 5 ft; 10 ft abutting single- 10 ft; 15 ft abutting single-
family residential zoned family residential zoned family residential zoned
property property property
Rear – Minimum 15 ft; 20 ft abutting single- 15 ft; 20 ft abutting single- 15 ft; 20 ft abutting single-
family residential zoned family residential zoned family residential zoned
property property property
Parking Frontage
Maximum Parking Frontage on a Public Street 30 30 30 • Applies to both surface parking and parking garage
(% of frontage) (for new residential frontages. Applies to new development and/or major
development) additions or renovations (as defined in PMC Chapter
17.16 (Definitions)).
• See Figure 17.36.010-1 (Maximum Parking Frontage
Along a Primary Street)
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City of Palmdale, CA

§ 17.36.010

§ 17.36.010

PALMDALE CODE

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Table 17.36.010-2. Development Standards – Multifamily Residential
Residential Zones – Multifamily Residential Development Standards
Standards RN 2 RN 3 RN 4 Additional Regulations
Open Space and Storage Standards
Minimum Usable Open Space (sf per unit) 200 sf total per unit; 200 sf total per unit; 150 sf total per unit; a • Setback areas are not considered usable open space
minimum 100 sf of private minimum 100 sf of private minimum of 50% of the unless they are at least 20 feet wide. Minimum private
open space required for open space for ground-level units must have 60 sf of open space is six feet in either direction.
ground-level units and 60 sf units and 60 sf of private private open space
• See PMC § 17.38.050 (Open space).
of private open space for open space for upper-level
upper-level units units
Minimum Front Yard Landscaping 30% of the minimum required front yard area shall be landscaped, of which half must See PMC § 17.86.010 (Landscaping requirements)
be planted with live plant material
Minimum Required Landscaping 10% of the lot, of which half must be planted with live plant material Includes required setbacks. Excludes areas devoted to
parking, driveways, and walkways. See PMC § 17.86.010
(Landscaping requirements).
Minimum Required Storage Space 125 cubic ft of private enclosed storage space within the garage, carport, or
immediately adjacent to the dwelling unit
Other Standards See additional standards in PMC Chapter 17.38 (Supplemental Standards for Multifamily Residential Development), Division 8 (General
Development Standards), Division 9 (Special Regulations), Division 10 (Environmental Management), and the City of Palmdale
Multifamily and Mixed-Use Design Standards [2] (Adopted by Ordinance No. 1594)
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Notes:

1. If a development provides publicly accessible plazas or forecourt, and there is clear visibility between the sidewalk and building entrance, the maximum setback may be waived for up to 40 percent of the building frontage. Entry courtyards, plazas, entries, or outdoor eating areas must be located adjacent to the property line and buildings shall be built to the edge of the courtyard, plaza, or dining area.

2. Editor's Note: Said City of Palmdale Multifamily and Mixed Use Design Standards are included as an attachment to this title.

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City of Palmdale, CA

ZONING

§ 17.36.010

§ 17.36.010

Figure 17.36.010-1. Maximum Parking Frontage Along a Primary Street

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City of Palmdale, CA

§ 17.36.010

§ 17.36.010

PALMDALE CODE

(Ord. 1603 § 4 (Exh. I), 2023; Ord. 1613 § 4 (Exh. I), 2023)

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City of Palmdale, CA