Calabasas — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

Calabasas regulates what may be built and operated on every parcel through Title 17 — the Land Use and Development Code. Allowed land uses are identified in a citywide Land Use Table (Table 2‑2) and are implemented through district rules (RS, RM, CR, etc.), specific-use standards, overlay rules, and permit procedures (e.g., site plan review, conditional use permits). See the table and the district standards to determine whether a use is Permitted (P), Accessory (A), Conditional (C) or Temporary (TUP) in each zone; the legal framework for that system is in § 17.11.010.

Important: this page explains only what the Calabasas zoning/development code (Title 17) says about land use — not building-code technical rules (the California Building Standards Code / Title 24) or separate permitting procedures.

How the code structures land-use decisions (quick)

• The Land Use Table (Table 2‑2) lists specific uses and the permit required in each zoning district; blank = prohibited. § 17.11.010 and Table 2‑2 govern.
• Specific-use rules (e.g., ADUs, kennels, adult-entertainment) live in Chapter 17.12 and are referenced in Table 2‑2. § 17.12.xxx entries must be read alongside the table.
• District development standards (setbacks, height, FAR, site coverage, minimum lot size) live in Chapters 17.13 (residential), 17.14 (commercial) and related sections. See the general standards tables in § 17.13.020 and § 17.14.020.
• Overlay zones (e.g., -DP, -SC, -CH) add or modify rules; see Chapter 17.18 for overlay mechanics and the Calabasas Highlands specifics.
• Project-level discretionary review (site plan review, conditional use permits, temporary use permits, development plans) is in Chapter 17.62. § 17.62.020 (site plan review) and § 17.62.030 (temporary uses) are commonly applied.

First read Table 2‑2 for your use, then the district tables, then any specific-use section and overlay rules. If rules conflict, Article III provisions (sitewide standards) may control. § 17.10.040 explains this priority.

(If you want the quick technical checklists below, jump to “## Checklist”.)

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the actual Calabasas zoning districts. For each district I list the stated purpose (where provided in the code), the typical permitted uses (summary from Table 2‑2), key dimensional standards drawn from the district tables, and where that district is typically applied.

Note: when I cite dimensional numbers I reference the district general development standards tables in the Code (residential Table 2‑5 and commercial Table 2‑6). See § 17.13.020 and § 17.14.020.

RS (Residential, Single‑Family)

• Purpose: protect single‑family neighborhoods and implement the General Plan's single‑family land use. § 17.10.020.
• Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwellings, accessory dwelling units (ADUs — see § 17.12.170) as P in many RS subzones; accessory uses and residential care homes (six or fewer clients) are typically P; home occupations are A. See Table 2‑2 and § 17.12.x listings.
• Key standards (Table 2‑5 / § 17.13.020): minimum lot area commonly 5,000 sq ft (suffixes apply: RS‑8, RS‑10, etc.); front setback 20 ft, side 10 ft, rear 20 ft; site coverage up to 50% on lots <1/3 acre or 35% on larger lots; height limit 35 ft.
• Where applied: city single‑family neighborhoods; check the zoning map for parcel‑level designation. § 17.10.030.

RM (Residential, Multifamily)

• Purpose: allow higher‑density multifamily consistent with R‑MF General Plan. § 17.10.020.
• Typical permitted uses: apartments, duplexes and other multi‑family dwellings (see Table 2‑2 — multifamily is typically P in RM). ADUs are P where listed.
• Key standards (Table 2‑5 / § 17.13.020): density ranges (new subdivisions often 2–6 du/acre minimum/maximum depending on suffix), side setbacks 10 ft, height 35 ft, site coverage typically 55% max. Specific density and minimum lot width tracked by suffixes (e.g., RM‑20).

RMH (Residential, Mobilehome)

• Purpose: accommodate the existing mobilehome park(s) and related uses. § 17.13.015 (RMH text).
• Typical permitted uses: mobilehomes on individual lots, mobilehome parks (subject to CUP in some cases), accessory uses. Table 2‑2 lists mobilehome park as C where applicable.
• Key standards: mobilehome parks use their own lot and density rules; mobilehome site coverage and parking described in Table 2‑5 and § 17.13.020.

RR (Residential, Rural)

• Purpose: low‑intensity single‑family in rural settings. § 17.10.020.
• Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwellings, hobby farms (A/C), limited agricultural/equestrian uses (C in some cases). See Table 2‑2 and § 17.12.030–.110.
• Key standards: larger minimum lot area (varies; can be 1 acre or larger by suffix), larger front and side setbacks; site landscaping requirements (high % per Table 3‑10).

RC (Rural Community)

• Purpose: protect older semi‑rural neighborhoods with established community character. § 17.13.015 (RC text).
• Typical permitted uses: single‑family, limited accessory agricultural and community uses; ADUs allowed as P in many instances per Table 2‑2.
• Key standards: minimum lot sizes and setbacks per Table 2‑5; higher landscaping/pervious surface minimums (see Chapter 17.26).

PD (Planned Development)

• Purpose: allow flexible site planning and design by combining uses and modifying standards through a development plan. § 17.10.020 and § 17.18.030 (-DP overlay rules).
• Typical permitted uses: whatever is authorized in the primary district unless the PD rezoning limits uses; project‑specific.
• Key standards: can be modified by the approved development plan; refer to § 17.18.030 for purpose and standards.

HM (Hillside/Mountainous)

• Purpose: regulate development sensitive to hillsides and ridgelines; hillside standards referenced in multiple sections (e.g., § 17.20.150).
• Typical permitted uses: low‑density residential and restricted uses compatible with steep slopes (many uses conditional). Table 2‑2 shows several uses as C or A.
• Key standards: special hillside/ridgeline development standards control setbacks, grading and height; see § 17.20.150 and the Calabasas Highlands (-CH) overlay example (Table 2‑9).

OS / OS‑DR (Open Space / Open Space‑Development Restricted)

• Purpose: conserve resource and recreation lands; restrict new development. § 17.10.020.
• Typical permitted uses: passive recreation, resource protection, limited accessory uses; most commercial or residential development prohibited. Table 2‑2 shows limited A/C entries.

PF (Public Facility)

• Purpose: institutional/public facilities (schools, public buildings). § 17.10.020.
• Typical permitted uses: public buildings, emergency shelters subject to standards (see § 17.12.090), etc.

REC (Recreation)

• Purpose: parks, recreational uses — limited commercial accessory allowed. § 17.10.020.

CL (Commercial, Limited)

• Purpose: small‑scale, limited intensity commercial. § 17.14.020.
• Typical permitted uses: limited retail and services; Table 2‑6 lists FAR and coverage limits.

CR (Commercial, Retail)

• Purpose: general retail uses. § 17.14.020.
• Typical permitted uses: restaurants, retail, neighborhood commercial; some adult‑oriented uses are conditional and distance‑limited per § 17.12.025.
• Key standards (Table 2‑6 / § 17.14.020): FAR and site coverage ranges (e.g., CR site coverage up to 78% in some subtypes), front setbacks may be none required in some CR areas.

CO (Commercial, Office)

• Purpose: professional offices and compatible uses. § 17.14.020.
• Typical permitted uses: offices, research & development (R&D) accessory limitations apply (research/labs allowed in CO only as accessory and limited by floor‑area and project size). See note in Table 2‑2.

CMU (Commercial, Mixed‑Use)

• Purpose: mix residential and commercial uses; minimum residential component in new projects. § 17.14.020 and Table notes.
• Typical permitted uses: mixed projects with retail/office on ground floor and residences above; new projects must include a residential floor‑area minimum (noted in Table 2‑6 footnotes).

CB (Commercial, Business Park)

• Purpose: office and light‑industrial/business park uses. § 17.14.020.

CT (Commercial, Old Town)

• Purpose: defines Old Town Calabasas. Development there must preserve historic character and follow the Old Town Master Plan and Design Guidelines. § 17.14.020 and Old Town Master Plan notes.

Selected code excerpts (decision‑relevant table)

This condensed table pulls the most-used numeric standards and where to read them in the code. Always read the cited section for the full rule and exceptions.

Practical guidance / interpretation (plain‑English synthesis)

• Start at Table 2‑2. If your proposed use is listed as P for your district, the use is allowed provided you meet district standards (setbacks, FAR, coverage) and any specific‑use standards (Chapter 17.12). § 17.11.010 and Table 2‑2 control.
• If the table shows C, you must seek a Conditional Use Permit (Chapter 17.62), which is discretionary and may impose conditions; consult § 17.62.060. Not all Cs are approved — findings must be made. § 17.62.020–.070 provide review standards.
• Overlays can add or tighten requirements (e.g., scenic corridors, Old Topanga, -CH). Always check overlay designations on the zoning map and the overlay chapter. § 17.18.030 explains the -DP overlay mechanics; Table 2‑9 shows -CH rules.
• Many developments require additional site‑level review: site plan review, design review, landscape plans, and off‑street parking calculations. See the city’s rules on design review, development standards, parking, and landscaping.

Checklist

• Identify parcel zoning on the official zoning map (Zoning Map is adopted and on file). § 17.10.030.
• Look up your proposed use in Table 2‑2 (allowed as P, C, A, or TUP). § 17.11.010.
• Read the specific‑use standard (Chapter 17.12) if Table 2‑2 references a section (e.g., ADUs § 17.12.170, adult entertainment § 17.12.025).
• Confirm district dimensional limits (setbacks, height, FAR, site coverage) in § 17.13.020 (residential) or § 17.14.020 (commercial).
• Check for overlay zones on the parcel and read overlay chapter(s) (Chapter 17.18).
• Confirm parking requirements per Chapter 17.28 and include required bicycle/vehicle parking calculations.
• Determine whether site plan review, design review, conditional use permit or temporary use permit is required (Chapter 17.62).
• Prepare required landscape documentation packages per Chapter 17.26. (Link: landscaping and screening).
• Coordinate building permits with Title 24 / California Building Standards Code (separate code). Not governed by Title 17.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Calabasas controls what you can use a property for through a city Land Use Table (Table 2‑2) and district standards in Title 17: if your use appears as P in your zoning district and you meet the district numeric rules (setbacks, height, FAR, parking, landscaping) and any Chapter 17.12 specific‑use rules, you can proceed; if it’s C, you need a conditional permit; if it’s blank it’s prohibited. Always check for overlays and design/site reviews before assuming a project is allowed. § 17.11.010, § 17.13.020, § 17.14.020, § 17.62.020.

Source References

• Title 17 — Land Use and Development Code (Calabasas): § 17.01.010 (Title) and user guide; print export from library.municode.com.
• Land uses and Land Use Table (Table 2‑2): § 17.11.010 and Table 2‑2 (Article II).
• Residential district development standards (Table 2‑5): § 17.13.020.
• Commercial district development standards (Table 2‑6): § 17.14.020.
• Calabasas Highlands overlay and hillside rules: Table 2‑9 and hillside references, see § 17.20.150 and Calabasas Highlands text.
• Specific use rules: Chapter 17.12 (e.g., ADUs § 17.12.170; adult entertainment § 17.12.025).
• Permit and review rules: Chapter 17.62 (site plan review § 17.62.020, temporary use § 17.62.030).
• Parking standards: Chapter 17.28 (Table 3‑11).

Public municipal code online (source of the exported text used above): https://library.municode.com/ (Calabasas Title 17 print export referenced in the files). Not all print‑export URLs are identical; verify with the City of Calabasas Community Development Department for the official live version.

Retrieved passages

• Calabasas Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Calabasas Zoning Code (Chapter 17.12) High relevance show source text
• Calabasas Zoning Code (Chapter 17.62) High relevance show source text
• Calabasas Zoning Code (Chapter 17.62) High relevance show source text
• Calabasas Zoning Code (Title 17) High relevance show source text
• Calabasas Zoning Code (Article IV) High relevance show source text
• Calabasas Zoning Code (Section 17.18.035.) Medium relevance show source text
• CPC § 17.20.150 (Section 17.20.150) High relevance show source text
• CMC § 17.12.030 (Chapter 17.26) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 17.20.180 (Chapter 17.26) High relevance show source text
• Calabasas Zoning Code (Chapter 17.26) Medium relevance show source text
• Calabasas Zoning Code (Section 17.10.020) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Title 17 — Land Use and Development Code (Calabasas): **§ 17.01.010** (Title) and user guide; print export from library.municode.com. (Title 17)
• Land uses and Land Use Table (Table 2‑2): **§ 17.11.010** and Table 2‑2 (Article II). (§ 17.11.010)
• Residential district development standards (Table 2‑5): **§ 17.13.020**. (§ 17.13.020)
• Commercial district development standards (Table 2‑6): **§ 17.14.020**. (§ 17.14.020)
• Calabasas Highlands overlay and hillside rules: Table 2‑9 and hillside references, see **§ 17.20.150** and Calabasas Highlands text. (§ 17.20.150)
• Specific use rules: Chapter **17.12** (e.g., ADUs **§ 17.12.170**; adult entertainment **§ 17.12.025**). (§ 17.12.170)
• Permit and review rules: Chapter **17.62** (site plan review **§ 17.62.020**, temporary use **§ 17.62.030**). (§ 17.62.020)
• Parking standards: Chapter **17.28** (Table 3‑11).
• Calabasas_ZoningCode.md

• Official Calabasas code library