Cerritos · Zoning · OS
Cerritos OS zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Cerritos's OS zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 50 ft and the minimum lot size is No minimum, with the conditions listed below (Cerritos code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (Two stories or 35 ft, whichever is less; no higher than the distance to a property line of an adjacent residential parcel.)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (a building may not exceed a height equal to its least horizontal distance to a property line of an adjacent residential parcel)
- Minimum front setback: 50 ft (Adjacent to a street; measured from the face of the curb, with at least 50 percent of the setback area fully landscaped.)
- Minimum lot size: No minimum
- Maximum lot coverage: 25% (The approving authority may allow more if needed for the zone's purpose, or for affordable congregate care with a college.)
OS (OPEN SPACE ZONE) is a zoning district in Cerritos. Every value below was read from the Cerritos 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 OS
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 | 35 ft Applies: Two stories or 35 ft, whichever is less; no higher than the distance to a property line of an adjacent residential parcel. § 22.30.700 · code textThe maximum building height shall be two stories or thirty-five feet, whichever is less; provided, that the building shall not exceed a height equal to the least horizontal distance between the building and a property line of an adjacent residential parcel. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: a building may not exceed a height equal to its least horizontal distance to a property line of an adjacent residential parcel § 22.30.700 · code textThe maximum building height shall be two stories or thirty-five feet, whichever is less; provided, that the building shall not exceed a height equal to the least horizontal distance between the building and a property line of an adjacent residential parcel. |
| Minimum front setback | 50 ft Applies: Adjacent to a street; measured from the face of the curb, with at least 50 percent of the setback area fully landscaped. § 22.30.700 · code textBuildings shall be set back a minimum of fifty feet measured from the face of the curb of said streets and at least fifty percent of the setback area shall be fully landscaped. |
| Minimum lot size | No minimum § 22.30.700 · code textThere shall be no minimum parcel area or unit of development requirement. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 25% Applies: The approving authority may allow more if needed for the zone's purpose, or for affordable congregate care with a college. § 22.30.600 · code textThe percentage of building coverage to the gross parcel area or unit of development, whichever is less, shall be no greater than twenty-five percent; and this coverage standard may be increased if the approving authority finds that the increase is necessary and/or desirable in meeting the purpose and intent of this chapter, or for affordable congregate care facilities in conjunction with a post secondary education institution; provided, that it meets the criteria set forth in Section 22.30.350(b)(5). |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in OS:
- Maximum building height: 50 ft — Private schools at least 500 ft from residential zoning; buildings over 35 ft need 750 ft distance and 5% of footprint at most. § 22.30.700
- Minimum front setback: 30 ft — Buildings within 600 ft of the San Gabriel River Flood Control Channel; measured from the face of the curb. § 22.30.700
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft — Adjacent to a residential, commercial, industrial or other similar land use parcel; measured from the right-of-way property lines of adjacent parcels. § 22.30.700
Not on this page
We did not find a general side setback, rear setback, FAR, density limit for OS in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Cerritos Municipal Code.
Other Cerritos zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Cerritos's OS zone?
35 ft (two stories or 35 ft, whichever is less; no higher than the distance to a property line of an adjacent residential parcel) — Cerritos Municipal Code § 22.30.700.
What is the maximum number of stories in Cerritos's OS zone?
2 stories (a building may not exceed a height equal to its least horizontal distance to a property line of an adjacent residential parcel) — Cerritos Municipal Code § 22.30.700.
What is the minimum front setback in Cerritos's OS zone?
50 ft (adjacent to a street; measured from the face of the curb, with at least 50 percent of the setback area fully landscaped) — Cerritos Municipal Code § 22.30.700.
What is the minimum lot size in Cerritos's OS zone?
No minimum — Cerritos Municipal Code § 22.30.700.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Cerritos's OS zone?
25% (the approving authority may allow more if needed for the zone's purpose, or for affordable congregate care with a college) — Cerritos Municipal Code § 22.30.600.
General information, not legal advice.
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