Local zoning · Alhambra

Alhambra — Zoning

Q: How do overlays like -PD and -WMC affect what I can build?

Overlays are mapped on the official Zoning Map. The -PD overlay requires approval of a PD Plan and may establish site‑specific standards, including different setbacks, heights, or permitted uses ( § 23.11.020–.050 ). The -WMC Overlay requires consistency with the West Main Corridor Master Plan ( § 23.10.010–.030 ). Always consult the overlay chapter and the specific plan document that applies.

Q: What about ADUs — what size and parking rules does Alhambra use?

ADU rules are in § 23.22.040 . The code allows attached ADUs up to 50% of the primary dwelling or specified square‑foot caps in some cases, requires 4‑ft side/rear setbacks for new ADUs in many cases, caps ADU height at 2 stories / 25 ft , and generally requires one parking space unless an exemption applies (within 1/2 mile of transit, historic property, part of the main residence, etc.). The city also notes state‑law exemptions (66323 units). Check § 23.22.040 and the ADU application path.

Zoning under the Alhambra local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes how the City of Alhambra regulates land use through its local Zoning Code (Title 23). It explains the city's base zoning districts, how the official Zoning Map works, common dimensional controls, and the most important overlays and special districts you’ll encounter in Alhambra. For related procedures and technical rules see the city's zoning & planning overview and the separate pages on development standards, parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs and the California Building Standards Code. The Alhambra Zoning Code is adopted as Title 23 of the Municipal Code; the local title statement appears at § 23.01.010.

How the code is organized (quick legal anchors)

Base zones, specific plans, and overlay districts are listed in Table 23.03.010 and established by § 23.03.010.
The official boundaries are not printed inside the text; the city maintains an official Zoning Map and the map governs boundaries (§ 23.03.020). Verify your parcel on the city map; when a parcel contains multiple zones the Director resolves boundaries (§ 23.03.020).

District-by-district breakdown

Notes on reading these entries: each district entry below gives (1) the district symbol used on the Zoning Map, (2) the stated purpose in the code, (3) typical permitted uses or examples, (4) the most decision-relevant dimensional rules in the code (citations to the chapter or table that prescribes them), and (5) where to confirm the exact boundary (the official Zoning Map / City Clerk). If you need parcel‑specific answers, Verify with the jurisdiction.

RL — Residential Low Density

Purpose: The RL Zone implements Low Density Residential and is intended for low-density neighborhood settings (up to 5 dwelling units/acre) (§ 23.04.010).
Typical permitted uses: detached single-unit dwellings, limited accessory uses, public/quasi-public uses compatible with low-density neighborhoods (see residential land-use tables).
Key dimensional standards: Development standards for residential districts are prescribed in Table 23.04.030 (see § 23.04.030). Specific numeric setbacks, lot coverage and FAR that apply to a particular RL parcel must be read from Table 23.04.030 or confirmed with Planning staff (see Information Gaps below).
Where it applies: shown on the official Zoning Map; if your lot crosses a boundary, the Director determines which rules apply (§ 23.03.020).

RM — Residential Medium Density

Purpose: The RM Zone implements Medium Density Residential (densities up to 18 dwelling units/acre) and allows duplexes, triplexes and similar medium-density housing (§ 23.04.010).
Typical permitted uses: 2–4 unit multifamily, accessory uses, ADUs per the ADU provisions.
Key dimensional standards: See Table 23.04.030 / § 23.04.030 for setbacks, lot coverage and height limits that govern RM parcels. Verify site-specific numbers with the Planning Division.
Where it applies: official Zoning Map; rules in § 23.03.020.

RH — Residential High Density

Purpose: The RH Zone implements High Density Residential. The Code describes densities in RH as up to 24, 43, or 64 dwelling units/acre depending on location and lot size; the intended pattern is multi‑unit housing, townhomes, condominiums and apartments (§ 23.04.010).
Typical permitted uses: multi-family developments, mixed residential forms, some public uses (see land‑use tables).
Key dimensional standards: RH development rules are in Table 23.04.030 (§ 23.04.030); RH is eligible for flexible standards on certain sites (§ 23.12.060 reference appears in development tables). Confirm allowable FAR, height and setbacks for a parcel using the table.
Where it applies: official Zoning Map; see § 23.03.020.

CBD — Central Business District (Commercial / Mixed-Use)

Purpose: CBD is the city's downtown/business core. The Code treats CBD as a commercial/mixed‑use center supporting higher residential densities and ground-floor commercial activity.
Typical permitted uses: retail, restaurants, offices, higher-density residential and mixed-use developments (see land‑use tables in Chapter 23.05).
Key dimensional standards: Maximum FAR = 3.0; maximum height = 75 ft; front setbacks frequently 0 ft with build‑to requirements (see Table 23.05.030 / § 23.05.030). The CBD has build‑to lines and corner build area requirements described at the start of § 23.05.030 (buildings within 10 ft of street for a minimum % of frontage).
Where it applies: mapped on official Zoning Map; CBD-specific development details in § 23.05.030 and the build‑to requirements there.

EMC, CMU, AC — Other Commercial & Mixed-Use Districts

Purpose & uses: EMC (East Main Commercial), CMU (Commercial Mixed-Use) and AC (Automotive Commercial) implement various commercial/general commercial and automotive-oriented uses; each district has tailored density and use permissions in Chapter 23.05.
Key dimensional standards: See Table 23.05.030 / § 23.05.030 — typical entries include FARs of 2.0 for CMU/EMC/AC, heights up to 75 ft in some areas but with stepdowns to 40 ft or 35 ft within 50 ft of a residential zone, and 0–10 ft setbacks depending on adjacency rules.
Where it applies: shown on the official Zoning Map; consult the table for minimum setbacks when adjacent to residential zones.

PO — Professional Office and I — Industrial (Employment Zoning Districts)

Purpose: PO is for medical/professional offices and limited residential; I is for industrial/manufacturing/warehousing and compatible commercial/residential uses (§ 23.06.020).
Typical permitted uses: office, medical, R&D, light manufacturing, warehousing, and in certain cases mixed-use (see Table 23.06.020 / § 23.06.020).
Key dimensional standards: Table 23.06.030 / § 23.06.030 prescribes: FARs typically 1.5 (PO) and 2.0 (I); height limits often 40 ft within 50 ft of residential, otherwise up to 75 ft (PO) or 55 ft (I); front setbacks commonly 20 ft (PO) and 10 ft (I); side and rear setbacks vary, including 0 ft allowed in some I locations but with 10 ft when adjacent to residential.
Where it applies: mapped on the official Zoning Map; additional site-specific density rules for affordable housing and mixed-use are in Chapter 23.14.

PF — Public Facilities and OS — Open Space (Public & Semi‑Public)

Purpose: PF and OS reserve land for government, institutional, parks, recreation and open space functions (§ 23.07.010).
Typical permitted uses: schools, parks, public safety facilities, utilities, community assembly, etc.; see Table 23.07.020/030 for full lists.
Key dimensional standards: Table 23.07.030 / § 23.07.030 sets FARs (PF 1.5, OS 0.2), maximum heights (PF 40 ft within 50 ft of residential; otherwise 55 ft; OS 30 ft), and setbacks (front 20 ft, side 10 ft, etc.).
Where it applies: official Zoning Map; consult the PF/OS tables to confirm standards at a specific site.

SP — Specific Plan Districts

Purpose: SP indicates an area covered by an adopted specific plan; the specific plan governs all land use and development within its boundaries and is mapped on the official Zoning Map (§ 23.08.010–.030). The code lists adopted specific plans (for example, 2300 Poplar, Alhambra Place, Alhambra Walk, 5th & Main, etc.).
Typical permitted uses and standards: a specific plan contains its own use and development rules; where a specific plan is silent, the base zoning rules apply (§ 23.08.020).
Where it applies: see § 23.08.030 for a list of adopted specific plans and the official Zoning Map for boundaries.

Overlay districts —WMC and -PD

-WMC (West Main Corridor Master Plan): Applies master-plan design rules within the West Main corridor; any development in the -WMC overlay must be consistent with that master plan (§ 23.10.010–.030).
-PD (Planned Development): The -PD overlay is noted on the Zoning Map by adding “-PD” to the base zone; a PD requires a PD Plan and City Council adoption and can specify alternative development standards for the site (§ 23.11.020–.050). The minimum PD area is generally one acre, although exceptions are allowed by Council findings (§ 23.11.040).
Where to confirm: overlays are shown on the official Zoning Map (§ 23.03.020); the overlay chapters § 23.10 and § 23.11 describe their applicability and procedures.

Quick table: Most decision‑relevant numeric standards (representative; confirm in code tables)

District	Typical max FAR	Typical max height	Typical front setback	Code Reference
CBD	3.0	75 ft	0 ft (build‑to rules)	§ 23.05.030
EMC / CMU / AC	~2.0	75 / 40 ft (stepdown within 50 ft of residential)	0–10 ft	§ 23.05.030
PO	1.5	40 ft (within 50 ft of res), otherwise 75 ft	20 ft (front)	§ 23.06.030
I	2.0	40 ft (within 50 ft of res), otherwise 55 ft	10 ft (front)	§ 23.06.030
PF	1.5	40 ft (near residential), otherwise 55 ft	20 ft	§ 23.07.030
RH (density)	—	See table for height	See Table 23.04.030	§ 23.04.010 / § 23.04.030

(These are representative numbers pulled from the development standards tables; always confirm the full table entries applicable to your parcel in § 23.04.030, § 23.05.030, § 23.06.030, or § 23.07.030 as cited above.)

How special topics intersect with zoning (practical guidance)

Design review: many projects require design review and the Design Review Board timelines, application rules and scope are in Chapter 23.33 (see § 23.33.030–.060). If your project involves exterior changes visible from a street, signage, new buildings or enlargement in non‑residential zones, expect design review.
ADUs: Accessory Dwelling Units rules live in § 23.22.040 (ADU application handled by staff/Director) and include the local ADU development rules (e.g., size caps, 4‑ft side/rear setbacks in many cases, 2 stories / 25 ft height cap for ADUs, parking rules and exemptions). The ADU rules expressly implement state ADU law and provide the parking exemptions and other local details (see § 23.22.040). Verify whether an ADU is a 66323 unit (state exemptions) — the code references state law.
Parking: parking requirements for primary uses and for ADUs are in Chapter 23.20 and the ADU-specific parking rules are in the ADU chapter (one space for ADU unless exempt; several exemptions listed) (§ 23.22.040, Chapter 23.20).
Historic properties: projects within designated historic districts have an additional layer of review under the Historic Preservation chapter; that review may alter allowable design and demolition outcomes. See the Historic Preservation chapter (Chapter 23.23) for criteria and processes.

Checklist

Identify the parcel's base zone and any overlays on the official Zoning Map (City Clerk / Planning) (§ 23.03.020).
Confirm permitted and conditional uses in the appropriate land use table for the base zone (Chapters 23.04–23.07).
Pull the development standards table that applies to the zone (Table 23.04.030, 23.05.030, 23.06.030, or 23.07.030) and confirm FAR, height, setbacks and lot coverage (§ 23.04.030, § 23.05.030, § 23.06.030, § 23.07.030).
Check overlay rules and specific plans if your parcel is within -WMC, -PD, or a SP area (§ 23.10, § 23.11, § 23.08.030).
Determine whether Design Review or discretionary permits are required (Chapter 23.33; see review authority summaries in Table 23.30.070).
If planning an ADU, follow § 23.22.040 for setbacks, size limits, parking requirements/exemptions, and permitting route (Director-level for ADUs).
For projects seeking flexibility (density bonus, incentives), consult Chapter 23.14 and the state Density Bonus Law references in the code.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Parcel spans multiple zones	Different standards may apply to different portions (setbacks, height, uses)	Confirm precise boundary on the official Zoning Map and get Director determination for multi-zone parcels (§ 23.03.020)
Specific plan or overlay applies	Specific plans override/supplement base zone rules; PDs can adopt bespoke standards	Check § 23.08.020, § 23.10, § 23.11 and the specific plan document mapped on the Zoning Map.
ADU detail exceptions (size/parking)	ADUs are constrained by both local and state rules; exemptions exist	Use § 23.22.040 to confirm local ADU size and parking rules and whether your ADU qualifies for an exemption.
Height/setback step‑downs near residential	Commercial/industrial districts reduce heights/setbacks adjacent to residential	Confirm adjacency rules in the development standards tables (see § 23.05.030, § 23.06.030).
Missing parcel‑specific numeric values in public excerpts	Printed summaries may omit table rows; decisions need exact table numbers	Pull the full Table 23.04.030 / 23.05.030 / 23.06.030 / 23.07.030 entries that apply to the site or ask Planning staff.
Historic designation overlay	Historic review can add holds, alternative standards or demolition moratoria	Check Chapter 23.23 and the Historic Preservation Commission review rules.

Plain‑English Summary

Alhambra’s zoning lives in Title 23: parcels are assigned base zones like RL, RM, RH, CBD, PO, I, PF, and OS, and those zones set allowed uses and development standards (FAR, heights, setbacks) in Chapter tables; overlays (for example -WMC and -PD) and specific plans can change rules on a site-by-site basis. Always check the official Zoning Map for a parcel’s zone and then read the applicable development table and overlay chapter to see what you can build.

Source References

Title and purpose of the zoning code: § 23.01.010 (Title 23) and related purpose sections.
Base zoning districts listing (Table 23.03.010) and map rules: § 23.03.010 and § 23.03.020 (Official Zoning Map).
Residential district purposes and densities: § 23.04.010 and development standards § 23.04.030 (Table 23.04.030).
Commercial & Mixed‑Use development standards: § 23.05.030 (Table 23.05.030).
Employment district standards: § 23.06.020 and § 23.06.030 (Table 23.06.030).
Public & Semi‑Public standards: § 23.07.010 and § 23.07.030 (Table 23.07.030).
Specific Plans and adopted SP list: § 23.08.010–.030.
West Main Corridor Master Plan overlay: § 23.10.010–.030.
Planned Development (-PD) overlay: § 23.11.010–.050 (PD mapping, plan requirements, minimum area).
ADU rules and application authority: § 23.22.040 and associated ADU provisions (setbacks, sizes, parking exemptions, legalization rules).
Design review and review authority summaries: Chapter 23.33 and Table 23.30.070 (review authorities).
Development standards / technical details and allowed projections above heights: Chapter 23.12 (encroachments, projection allowances).

Information Gaps

Complete numeric entries for Table 23.04.030 (all setbacks, lot coverage and FAR by RL / RM / RH) were not fully reproduced in the retrieved excerpts. The code references Table 23.04.030 / § 23.04.030 for residential standards but full table rows for every residential metric were not present in the materials I reviewed. Verify all residential numeric standards with the Planning Division or by reviewing the full Table 23.04.030.
Parcel-specific map boundaries and any site-level conditions, covenants or prior approvals (conditions of approval) are not in the code file and must be checked with the City (official Zoning Map and records). Verify with the jurisdiction.

Sources

Retrieved passages

Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.11.020) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (Section numbers) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (CHAPTER 23.01) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.01.040) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (Section numbers) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (Section numbers) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (CHAPTER 23.08) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.05.030) Medium relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 66333.) Medium relevance
CFC § 66333 (chapter as) Medium relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.15.040) Medium relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (CHAPTER 23.14) Medium relevance
CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) Medium relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (CHAPTER 23.04) High relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.03.020) Medium relevance
Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.03.020) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Alhambra code library

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R-1 (RL) lot in Alhambra?

Alhambra uses RL (Residential Low Density) rather than “R‑1”; RL allows low‑density single‑unit development (up to 5 du/acre) and compatible accessory uses per the residential land‑use table. Confirm parcel‑specific dimensional limits (setbacks, lot coverage) by consulting Table 23.04.030 / § 23.04.030 and the official Zoning Map.

What are Alhambra’s setback requirements?

Setbacks are set in the development standards tables for each district (for example Table 23.05.030 for commercial, Table 23.06.030 for employment, and Table 23.04.030 for residential). Step‑downs and special adjacency rules (for example reduced heights within 50 ft of residential zones) are explicitly listed in those tables and their additional regulations; see § 23.05.030, § 23.06.030, § 23.04.030. Verify the exact numbers for your parcel.

Do I need design review in Alhambra?

Possibly. Many exterior changes — new buildings, enlargements, signage, and changes visible from the street — trigger design review under Chapter 23.33. The Design Review Board (or its staff) is the review authority depending on the action; see § 23.33.030–.060 and the review authority summary Table 23.30.070.

How do overlays like -PD and -WMC affect what I can build?

Overlays are mapped on the official Zoning Map. The -PD overlay requires approval of a PD Plan and may establish site‑specific standards, including different setbacks, heights, or permitted uses (§ 23.11.020–.050). The -WMC Overlay requires consistency with the West Main Corridor Master Plan (§ 23.10.010–.030). Always consult the overlay chapter and the specific plan document that applies.

What about ADUs — what size and parking rules does Alhambra use?

ADU rules are in § 23.22.040. The code allows attached ADUs up to 50% of the primary dwelling or specified square‑foot caps in some cases, requires 4‑ft side/rear setbacks for new ADUs in many cases, caps ADU height at 2 stories / 25 ft, and generally requires one parking space unless an exemption applies (within 1/2 mile of transit, historic property, part of the main residence, etc.). The city also notes state‑law exemptions (66323 units). Check § 23.22.040 and the ADU application path.

Where are the official boundaries for a zoning district shown?

Boundaries are shown on the official Zoning Map maintained by the City Clerk and incorporated into the code by reference; see § 23.03.020. If a boundary is uncertain the code gives rules (centerlines, lot lines) and the Director may resolve multi‑district parcels.

What if my proposed project conflicts with the General Plan or a Specific Plan?

The Zoning Code implements the General Plan and any specific plan governs development within its area; where a specific plan is adopted it controls (§ 23.08.020) and any permits must be consistent with the General Plan (§ 23.01.040). If a conflict exists the General Plan controls.

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