Culver City · Zoning · R1
Culver City R1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Culver City's R1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 square feet, with the conditions listed below (Culver City code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft (sloped roofs)
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft (Single- and two-story buildings; the second story, or any roof part over 18 ft high, needs 25 ft)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (No part of the building may rise above a 1:1 inward-sloping plane that starts 18 ft up from the side lot line)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 square feet (for new lots)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.45
- Maximum density: 8.7 units/gross acre (At most 1 unit per parcel)
R1 is a zoning district in Culver City. Every value below was read from the Culver City 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 R1
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 | 30 ft Applies: sloped roofs § 17.210.020 · code textTable row “Maximum height - primary structure”, column “R1”: Flat roofs - 27 feet; Sloped roof - 30 feet |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft Applies: Single- and two-story buildings; the second story, or any roof part over 18 ft high, needs 25 ft § 17.210.020 · code textTable row “Front”, column “R1”: Single story structures -20 feet Two story structures - 20 feet; 25 feet for second story, as defined by this Title, or any roof or portion of a roof, parapet wall, or front yard-facing facade that exceeds a height of 18 feet |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: No part of the building may rise above a 1:1 inward-sloping plane that starts 18 ft up from the side lot line § 17.210.020 · code textTable row “Interior Side”, column “R1”: 5 feet minimum No structure shall encroach upon a 1:1 upward- and inward- inclining setback plane starting from 18 feet above any interior side lot line |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft § 17.210.020 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “R1”: 15 feet |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 square feet Applies: for new lots § 17.210.020 · code textTable row “Minimum lot size (for new lots)”, column “R1”: 5,000 square feet |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.45 § 17.210.020 · code textTable row “Maximum dwelling size”, column “R1”: 0.45 Floor Area Ratio |
| Maximum density | 8.7 units/gross acre Applies: At most 1 unit per parcel § 17.210.020 · code textTable row “Maximum residential density”, column “R1”: 8.7 units/gross acre, maximum 1 unit per parcel |
Uses in R1
Uses the code's use tables allow in R1, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Residential care home (7 or more) — Needs a conditional use permit
- Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit
- Community garden — Allowed
- Private school — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R1:
- Maximum building height: 27 ft — flat roofs § 17.210.020
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft — second story, or any roof or portion of a roof, parapet wall, or front yard-facing facade that exceeds 18 feet in height § 17.210.020
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage limit for R1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Culver City Municipal Code.
Other Culver City zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Culver City's R1 zone?
30 ft (sloped roofs) — Culver City Municipal Code § 17.210.020.
What is the minimum front setback in Culver City's R1 zone?
20 ft (single- and two-story buildings; the second story, or any roof part over 18 ft high, needs 25 ft) — Culver City Municipal Code § 17.210.020.
What is the minimum side setback in Culver City's R1 zone?
5 ft (no part of the building may rise above a 1:1 inward-sloping plane that starts 18 ft up from the side lot line) — Culver City Municipal Code § 17.210.020.
What is the minimum rear setback in Culver City's R1 zone?
15 ft — Culver City Municipal Code § 17.210.020.
What is the minimum lot size in Culver City's R1 zone?
5,000 square feet (for new lots) — Culver City Municipal Code § 17.210.020.
General information, not legal advice.
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