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Chapter 2

Article 20 — LIVING AREAS

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

92.20.1 SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS; TOTAL FLOOR AREA.

(Amended by O-2190)

Any structure to be used for a single-family residential purpose shall have the following total floor areas in each single dwelling.

a) One bedroom dwelling, a minimum of seven hundred (700) square feet.

b) Two bedroom or one bedroom and den dwelling, a minimum of nine hundred (900) square feet.

c) Three bedroom or two bedroom and den dwelling, a minimum of twelve hundred (1200) square feet.

d) Four bedroom or three bedroom and den dwelling, a minimum of fourteen hundred fifty (1450) square feet.

92.20.2 SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS; BEDROOM OR DEN.

Any structure used for single-family residential purposes shall have the following total floor areas in each bedroom or den:

a) One bedroom dwelling, a minimum of one hundred (100) square feet.

b) Two bedroom or one bedroom and den dwelling, a minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) square feet in the major bedroom and one hundred (100) square feet in the second bedroom or den.

c) Three bedroom or two bedroom and den dwelling, a minimum of one hundred and twenty square feet in two (2) of the bedrooms and one hundred (100) square feet in the third bedroom or den.

d) Four bedroom or three bedroom and den dwelling, a minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) square feet in two (2) of the bedrooms, and one hundred (100) square feet in the remaining bedrooms or den.

92.20.3 TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS.

(Amended by O-2338)

Any structure to be used for two (2) family residential purposes shall have a total floor area of:

One bedroom 700 sq. ft. or more per
unit
Two bedroom 900 sq. ft. or more per
unit
Three bedroom 1,200 sq. ft. or more per
unit

92.20.4 MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS.

(Amended by O-1937; O-1938; O-3922)

The following minimum square footage (center-to-center wall) shall be applied to all units:

Bachelor or single 450 sq. ft. or more
One bedroom 700 sq. ft. or more
Two bedroom 900 sq. ft. or more
Three bedroom 1,200 sq. ft. or more

Any room provided for sleeping purposes only, shall have not less than one hundred (100) square feet of floor area in each such room. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to units in multiple family dwellings if the provisions of Division 9, Chapter 1, Article 51 (Housing Corridor Overlay Zone) apply.

92.20.5 Repealed by O-2338.

92.20.6 SLEEPING ROOM OR DEN.

No room provided for sleeping purposes and no den in any living unit shall have less than one hundred (100) square feet of floor area in such room and for the purpose of computing said area the inside dimensions exclusive of closets shall be the governing factor.

92.20.7 COMPUTING AREA.

No living unit shall have less square feet of floor area than the heretofore specified areas and for the purpose of computing said floor area, the outside dimension of said structure, exclusive of open porches and garage, shall be the governing factor.

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▸ Contents — Torrance Zoning Code
Torrance Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 1
  2. ▸ Chapter 2
    Overview
    1. Article 1 — CONTROLLED ZONING
    2. Article 2 — USES GENERALLY Revised 4/25 Revised 10/25
    3. Article 3 — HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS
    4. Article 4 — MINIMUM LOT AND BUILDING SITE AREAS
    5. Article 5 — YARDS
    6. Article 6 — EXPOSED EXTERIOR WALLS
    7. Article 7 — SPECIAL SETBACK LINE.
    8. Article 8 — ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
    9. Article 9 — ZONING APPLIED TO ANNEXED AREAS
    10. Article 10 — SPLITTING LOTS
    11. Article 11 — ACCESSIBILITY TO BUILDING SITE AND LIVING QUARTERS
    12. Article 12 — SIGNS
    13. Article 13 — FENCES, WALLS, RETAINING WALLS AND HEDGES
    14. Article 14 — AUTOMATIC REZONING OF SUBDIVIDED LAND
    15. Article 15 — GARAGE DOORS
    16. Article 16 — GARAGES FACING PUBLIC STREETS
    17. Article 17 — MOBILEHOMES AND MOBILEHOME PARKS
    18. Article 18 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
    19. Article 19 — UNAUTHORIZED SALE OF VEHICLES ON VACANT LOTS
    20. Article 20 — LIVING AREAS
    21. Article 21 — BUILDING DESIGN COMPATIBILITY
    22. Article 22 — NONCONFORMING USES, BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES
    23. Article 23 — ENFORCEMENT
    24. Article 24 — REAPPLICATION AFTER DENIAL OR WITHDRAWAL
    25. Article 26 — RECORDING CONDITIONS ON USE OF LAND
    26. Article 27 — EXTENSIONS OF TIME
    27. Article 28 — MODIFICATION OF CONDITIONS
    28. Article 29 — SUBDIVISION CONTROL
    29. Article 30 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    30. Article 32 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
    31. Article 33 — SPACING OF BLIGHT INDUCING ENTERPRISES
    32. Article 34 — AMENDMENT TO GENERAL PLAN
    33. Article 35 — NUISANCE ABATEMENT
    34. Article 36 — DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
    35. Article 37 — LARGE FAMILY DAY CARE PERMITS
    36. Article 38 — VACANT BUILDING AND LOT MAINTENANCE AND REGISTRAT…
    37. Article 39 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES
    38. Article 40 — UNATTENDED COLLECTION BOXES
    39. Article 41 — VIEW EQUITY
    40. Article 42 — GARAGE SALES
    41. Article 43 — SHORT TERM RENTALS
    42. Article 44 — SHARED MOBILITY DEVICES
  3. Chapter 3 — OFF STREET PARKING
  4. Chapter 4 — VARIANCES - WAIVERS
  5. Chapter 5 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
  6. Chapter 6 — REZONING - PRECISE PLAN.
  7. Chapter 7 — OIL.
  8. Chapter 8 — HELICOPTERS
  9. Chapter 9 — SCHEDULE OF FEES
  10. Chapter 10 — TRIP REDUCTION AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
  11. Chapter 11 — SIGNS Revised 4/25

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