Alhambra · Zoning · RH
Alhambra RH zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Alhambra's RH zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 ft (5 stories) tall and the front setback is 15 ft or average of front setbacks of two adjacent properties, whichever is greater, with the conditions listed below (Alhambra code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft (Outside the Atlantic Blvd to Chapel Ave core area and arterial parcels near freeway interchanges)
- Maximum number of stories: 5 stories (Outside the Atlantic Blvd to Chapel Ave core area and arterial parcels near freeway interchanges)
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft or average of front setbacks of two adjacent properties, whichever is greater (Properties not on Curtis or Electric Lanes)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (First story)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft (Properties whose rear yards are not on Curtis or Electric Lanes)
- Maximum lot coverage: 55%
- Maximum density: 64 units per acre (Only in the area bounded by Atlantic Blvd, Woodward Ave, Commonwealth Ave and Chapel Ave; elsewhere 24 or 43 by lot size)
RH is a zoning district in Alhambra. Every value below was read from the Alhambra Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.
Development standards in RH
The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.
| Maximum building height | 45 ft Applies: Outside the Atlantic Blvd to Chapel Ave core area and arterial parcels near freeway interchanges § 23.04.030 · code textTable row “Maximum height (feet)”, column “RH”: Area bounded by Atlantic Blvd on the west, Woodward Ave on the north, Commonwealth Ave on the south, and Chapel Ave on the east, and parcels on major arterial streets within 1,300 feet of a freeway interchange: 75 Other areas: 45 |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 5 stories Applies: Outside the Atlantic Blvd to Chapel Ave core area and arterial parcels near freeway interchanges § 23.04.030 · code textTable row “Maximum number of stories”, column “RH”: Area bounded by Atlantic Blvd on the west, Woodward Ave on the north, Commonwealth Ave on the south, and Chapel Ave on the east, and parcels on major arterial streets within 1,300 feet of a freeway interchange: 6 Other areas: 5 |
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft or average of front setbacks of two adjacent properties, whichever is greater Applies: Properties not on Curtis or Electric Lanes § 23.04.030 · code textTable row “Minimum front setback (feet)”, column “RH”: Properties on Curtis or Electric Lanes: 15 Other areas: Whichever is greater: Average of front setbacks of two adjacent properties, or 15 ft |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: First story The code labels this number “1st St.”: it is for the first story, and upper stories may need more. § 23.04.030 · code textTable row “Minimum interior setback (feet)”, column “RH”: First story: 5 Upper stories: 6 |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft Applies: Properties whose rear yards are not on Curtis or Electric Lanes § 23.04.030 · code textTable row “Minimum rear setback”, column “RH”: Properties which have rear yards on Curtis or Electric Lanes: 15, otherwise 10 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 55% § 23.04.030 · code textTable row “Maximum lot coverage (% of lot)”, column “RH”: 55 |
| Maximum density | 64 units per acre Applies: Only in the area bounded by Atlantic Blvd, Woodward Ave, Commonwealth Ave and Chapel Ave; elsewhere 24 or 43 by lot size § 23.04.030 · code textTable row “Maximum density (units per acre)”, column “RH”: Area bounded by Atlantic Blvd. on the west, Woodward Ave. on the north, Commonwealth Ave. on the south, and Chapel Ave. on the east: 64 Other areas: Lots less than 10,000 square feet: 24 Lots 10,000 square feet or more: 43 |
Uses in RH
Uses the code's use tables allow in RH, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Apartment building — Allowed
- Rooming or boarding house — Needs a conditional use permit
- Residential care home (7 or more) — Needs a minor use permit
- Child care center — Needs a conditional use permit
- Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RH:
- Maximum building height: 75 ft — Area bounded by Atlantic Blvd, Woodward Ave, Commonwealth Ave and Chapel Ave; also arterial parcels within 1,300 ft of a freeway interchange § 23.04.030
- Maximum number of stories: 6 stories — Area bounded by Atlantic Blvd, Woodward Ave, Commonwealth Ave and Chapel Ave; also arterial parcels within 1,300 ft of a freeway interchange § 23.04.030
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft — Properties on Curtis or Electric Lanes § 23.04.030
- Minimum side setback: 6 ft — Upper stories § 23.04.030
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — Properties which have rear yards on Curtis or Electric Lanes § 23.04.030
- Maximum density: 24 units per acre — Other areas; lots less than 10,000 square feet § 23.04.030
- Maximum density: 43 units per acre — Other areas; lots 10,000 square feet or more § 23.04.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, FAR limit for RH in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Alhambra Municipal Code.
Other Alhambra zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Alhambra's RH zone?
45 ft (outside the Atlantic Blvd to Chapel Ave core area and arterial parcels near freeway interchanges) — Alhambra Municipal Code § 23.04.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in Alhambra's RH zone?
5 stories (outside the Atlantic Blvd to Chapel Ave core area and arterial parcels near freeway interchanges) — Alhambra Municipal Code § 23.04.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Alhambra's RH zone?
15 ft or average of front setbacks of two adjacent properties, whichever is greater (properties not on Curtis or Electric Lanes) — Alhambra Municipal Code § 23.04.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Alhambra's RH zone?
5 ft (first story) — Alhambra Municipal Code § 23.04.030. The code attaches notes or conditions to this value; read the section before relying on it.
What is the minimum rear setback in Alhambra's RH zone?
10 ft (properties whose rear yards are not on Curtis or Electric Lanes) — Alhambra Municipal Code § 23.04.030.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about an Alhambra property in RH
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question