Culver City — Development Standards

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes the Culver City zoning ordinance (Title 17) rules that control how buildings sit on lots: setbacks, height, lot coverage, density, and FAR. It focuses on what the City’s code actually requires for the main zoning districts and key overlays in Culver City, with the controlling code sections called out so you can verify parcel‑specific rules. For procedural topics like design review, parking, and ADUs see those pages for process and forms.

Quick navigation: the City’s setback rules live in § 17.300.020; height measurement and exceptions are in § 17.300.025; district development tables are in Article 2 (e.g., Table 2‑4, Table 2‑8); the Residential Hillsides Overlay standards are in § 17.260.040; and Transit‑Oriented standards use Table 4‑6. See each citation below when the standard is quoted.

How this page is organized

• District‑by‑district breakdowns (purpose, typical uses, key dimensional standards, where they apply). Each district heading names the actual City district code (bolded).
• A decision‑relevant summary table that you can use at intake.
• Practical checklist, risks/ambiguities, and a homeowner plain‑English summary.
• Source list tying every cited item back to the City code (with § references).

Residential districts — RLD, RMD, RHD

Purpose and where used

• RLD, RMD, and RHD are Culver City’s low, medium, and high density residential districts used across single‑ and multi‑family neighborhoods and mixed residential blocks. The district development standards are tabulated in the City’s Residential District table (Table 2‑4).

Typical permitted uses

• RLD: primarily single‑family and small multi‑unit where permitted;
• RMD and RHD: multifamily dwellings, townhouses, and residential developments consistent with the density bands shown in Table 2‑4. (Specific allowed uses and conditional uses are listed in Article 2; consult the zoning use table for parcel‑level allowable uses.) Not found in retrieved materials: a complete, line‑by‑line use list for each district—verify with the City’s use table.

Key dimensional standards (from Table 2‑4)

• Maximum height (primary building): 32 ft in RLD, 43 ft in RMD, 53 ft in RHD. See height measurement/exceptions in § 17.300.025.
• Maximum residential density: 35 du/acre (RLD), 50 du/acre (RMD), 70 du/acre (RHD).
• Setbacks and building location: front/street side minimums (e.g., 5 ft in many residential ground‑floor situations) and interior rules appear in the district tables and in the setback chapter § 17.300.020.

Special rules

• Height stepbacks when abutting lower‑intensity residential (references to R1/R2 contexts appear in the R‑zone standards): above 30 ft (or two stories, whichever is less) upper floors are required to step back per the district rules (see Figure 2‑3 Neighborhood Transitions).

Practical note

• For multifamily projects in low‑density zones that are pursued as transit‑oriented developments, the code allows applying the Medium‑Density Multiple‑Family (RMD/RMD standards) or the Transit‑Oriented table instead—see the Transit‑Oriented section below for how densities/FARs change.

Mixed‑Use districts — MU‑MD, MU‑HD, MU‑I

Purpose and where used

• MU‑MD, MU‑HD, and MU‑I structure mixed residential + commercial development along commercial corridors and nodes. Standards are in Table 2‑8.

Typical permitted uses

• Ground‑floor retail/office with residential above is the intended form; exact permissible uses (retail, restaurant, personal services, residential) are controlled by the use tables in Article 2. Not found in retrieved materials: a parcel‑level permitted uses listing. Verify with the district use table.

Key dimensional standards (from Table 2‑8)

• Maximum height (primary structure): 56 ft in all MU zones (subject to § 17.300.025).
• Maximum residential density: 65 du/ac (MU‑MD), 100 du/ac (MU‑HD), 65 du/ac (MU‑I).
• Maximum non‑residential FAR: 3.0 (MU‑MD), 4.0 (MU‑HD), 3.0 (MU‑I).
• Front and street side setbacks (residential ground floor): 10 ft minimum in MU zones (see Figure 2‑5), with additional site‑specific rules in Article 3.

Practical note

• Mixed‑use projects face height stepback rules where abutting lower residential parcels and must follow the same stepback guidance cited in the residential table to protect neighborhood transitions.

Planned Development — PD

Purpose and where used

• The PD zone is used for site‑specific comprehensive development standards established by City Council through rezoning and a Comprehensive Plan for the site; allowed uses and site standards are set by the PD approval, informed by similar base zones.

Typical permitted uses

• Determined at the time of rezoning/PD approval; the PD may adopt residential, commercial, mixed use, or other uses and tailor standards to the site.

Key dimensional standards

• Maximum height in PD: generally 56 ft unless a height exception is granted under § 17.300.025 or the PD approval establishes another limit.

Practical note

• PD approvals can include site‑specific deviations, but those deviations are established by the PD ordinance; consult the PD table (Table 2‑9) for site listings and code/ordinance of record.

Residential Hillsides Overlay — -RH

Purpose and where used

• The -RH Overlay addresses hillside lots and imposes slope‑sensitive standards intended to limit massing and protect hillside character. The Overlay standards are in § 17.260.040 (Table 2‑10).

Typical permitted uses

• Underlying zone controls uses; the overlay modifies development standards (setbacks, FAR, height) for hillside parcels.

Key dimensional standards (Table 2‑10)

• Maximum dwelling units per parcel: 1 unit (overlay default). Minimum by‑right floor area: 2,500 sq ft regardless of lot size (see notes).
• FAR by slope: e.g., 0.45 FAR for slope <15%; then stepped down to 0.40, 0.35, 0.30, 0.25 as slope increases (see Table 2‑10).
• Setbacks: Front: 20 ft for single‑story; 30 ft for second story of a two‑story structure; Side: first floor = 10% of lot width (min 5 ft / max 10 ft); second floor narrow setback = 16% (min 8 ft, max 16 ft); second floor wide or street‑facing setback = 24% (min 12 ft, max 24 ft); Rear: 15 ft.
• Height limits by slope: e.g., slope <50%: flat roof = 2 stories and 27 ft, sloped roof = 2 stories and 30 ft; slope 50–100%: 1 story and 14 ft.

Practical note

• Slope must be established by topographic survey prior to permit issuance; many -RH rules reference lot slope for FAR and height—verify with site topo.

Transit‑Oriented (TOC) development standards

Purpose and where used

• Transit‑oriented housing projects may use the separate Transit‑Oriented standards in Table 4‑6, which tie maximum height, density, and FAR to the project’s straight‑line distance to the nearest transit stop (e.g., 200 ft, 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile). See Table 4‑6 and related text at § 17.* (Article 4).

Key numbers (Table 4‑6)

• 200 ft from transit stop: 85 ft height, 140 du/ac, 4.0 FAR.
• 1/4 mile: 65 ft, 100 du/ac, 3.0 FAR.
• 1/2 mile: 55 ft, 80 du/ac, 2.5 FAR.

Practical note

• The TOC standards supersede or adjust the underlying zone standards only to the extent necessary to achieve the listed FAR/density; otherwise the underlying zone standards apply. See the Transit‑Oriented chapter and density bonus rules for interaction with State law.

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant standards

(When a code citation above references a table, consult that table and the text (e.g., § 17.210.030, § 17.300.020, § 17.300.025) for measurement rules and exceptions.)

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy

• Confirm zoning district and underlying use permissions (Article 2 / Table 2‑4 or Table 2‑8). Verify permitted uses against the City’s use table. Not found in retrieved materials: the full use list by parcel—verify with the Division.
• Demonstrate compliance with setback rules and allowed projections per § 17.300.020 (measure setbacks as specified).
• Verify height measurement and any applicable exceptions under § 17.300.025; show roof type and parapet calculations.
• Calculate allowable density and FAR from the applicable table: Table 2‑4 (residential), Table 2‑8 (mixed use), Table 4‑6 (transit‑oriented) or Table 2‑10 (-RH overlay) as applicable; include slope survey for -RH.
• If proposing TOC project, measure straight‑line distance to nearest transit stop per Table 4‑6 rules and include calculation.
• Prepare parking and driveway layout consistent with parking and § 17.320 design rules (driveway lengths, front‑yard paving limits).
• If in an overlay (-RH, -CV, -RP, etc.), confirm overlay special standards and whether exceptions apply; see overlay districts.
• Factor in design review and potential Planning Commission review for exceptions, waivers or PDs; submit stepback/fenestration diagrams to show neighborhood transitions.
• If proposing ADU, confirm overlay/district standards vs. state ADU law; see ADUs and California ADU law. Not found in retrieved materials: detailed ADU numeric allowances within Title 17 beyond references to § 17.400.095—consult § 17.400.095 and state law for mandatory allowances.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Culver City’s zoning code tells you how tall a building can be, how close it can be to the street and neighbors, and how many units or how much floor area you can build. Most neighborhoods use the RLD / RMD / RHD tables for height and density, mixed corridors use MU tables, PDs are site‑specific, the -RH overlay adds slope‑based FAR and stricter setbacks, and transit‑proximate projects can use the higher limits in Table 4‑6 — always measure setbacks and height the way the code specifies and bring a topo when slope matters. See the cited code sections to confirm numbers for your parcel.

Source References

• Culver City Municipal Code, Title 17 — Setback Regulations and Exceptions: § 17.300.020.
• Culver City Municipal Code — Height Measurement and Height Limit Exceptions: § 17.300.025.
• Culver City Municipal Code — Residential District Development Standards (Table 2‑4) (RLD, RMD, RHD).
• Culver City Municipal Code — Mixed Use District Development Standards (Table 2‑8) (MU‑MD, MU‑HD, MU‑I).
• Culver City Municipal Code — Residential Hillsides Overlay (Table 2‑10) and text: § 17.260.040.
• Culver City Municipal Code — Transit‑Oriented Development Standards (Table 4‑6).
• Culver City Municipal Code — Planned Development (PD) rules and established PD list: § 17.240.015 and Table 2‑9.
• Culver City Municipal Code — Accessory structure and accessory dwelling references (see § 17.400.095; accessory structures rules in accessory chapter).
• GoCodebook local topic pages (for related process and explainers): Culver City Zoning, Culver City Land Use, Culver City Parking, Culver City Design Review, Culver City Overlay Districts, Culver City ADUs, California Building Standards Code. (Use these for process, not to replace Title 17 numeric standards.)

If you need parcel‑specific verification (e.g., exact use tables, historic property status that changes standards, or the full text of § 17.400.095 on ADUs), verify with the City Planning Division and consult the full Title 17 text. Not found in retrieved materials: a complete, consolidated permitted‑uses list per district within these excerpts—verify with the City.

Retrieved passages

• Culver City Zoning Code (§ 17.300.020) High relevance show source text
• Culver City Zoning Code (§ 17.300.025) High relevance show source text
• Culver City Zoning Code (§ 17.210.030) High relevance show source text
• Culver City Zoning Code (§ 17.400.095) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) High relevance show source text
• Culver City Zoning Code (§ 17.240.015.C.) High relevance show source text
• Culver City Zoning Code (section requires) High relevance show source text
• Culver City Zoning Code (§ 65915.) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Culver City Municipal Code, Title 17 — Setback Regulations and Exceptions: **§ 17.300.020**. (Title 17)
• Culver City Municipal Code — Height Measurement and Height Limit Exceptions: **§ 17.300.025**. (§ 17.300.025)
• Culver City Municipal Code — Residential District Development Standards (Table 2‑4) (RLD, RMD, RHD).
• Culver City Municipal Code — Mixed Use District Development Standards (Table 2‑8) (MU‑MD, MU‑HD, MU‑I).
• Culver City Municipal Code — Residential Hillsides Overlay (Table 2‑10) and text: **§ 17.260.040**. (§ 17.260.040)
• Culver City Municipal Code — Transit‑Oriented Development Standards (Table 4‑6).
• Culver City Municipal Code — Planned Development (PD) rules and established PD list: § 17.240.015 and Table 2‑9. (§ 17.240.015)
• Culver City Municipal Code — Accessory structure and accessory dwelling references (see § 17.400.095; accessory structures rules in accessory chapter). (§ 17.400.095)
• GoCodebook local topic pages (for related process and explainers): Culver City Zoning, Culver City Land Use, Culver City Parking, Culver City Design Review, Culver City Overlay Districts, Culver City ADUs, California Building Standards Code. (Use these for process, not to replace Title 17 numeric standards.) (Title 17)
• CulverCity_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md

• Official Culver City code library