Glendale — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Glendale’s land-use rules are consolidated in the city Zoning Ordinance (Title 30). The code organizes uses into zone-specific land-use tables (symbols P, C, A, T, W) and ties permit types to procedures like design review and conditional use permits; the ordinance authority and purpose are in § 30.01.010–§ 30.01.020. Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel-specific interpretations and the official zoning map.

The rest of this page summarizes what the Zoning Ordinance itself says about uses and the most decision-relevant development standards (citations point to the controlling § or table in the ordinance).

How the code classifies and authorizes uses (quick rules)

• Permitted uses are listed with a P; conditional uses with a C (require a conditional use permit under § 30.42.010 et seq.); administrative uses use A; temporary uses use T; wireless facilities use W. See § 30.11.020 and parallel zone chapters for the same structure.

• If a table entry points to a standards section, that section controls additional rules for that use; definitions live in Chapter 30.70. See the notes in the tables.

• Design review, parking, and permit types are cross-referenced: parking is Chapter 30.32, design review is Chapter 30.47, conditional use permits are Chapter 30.42. See each zone’s table for which processes apply.

(Links: the code works together with the city’s site pages for Glendale Zoning, Glendale Development Standards, Glendale Parking, Glendale Design Review, Glendale Overlay Districts, Glendale Historic Preservation, Glendale ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.)

District-by-district breakdown (what the code actually says)

Residential districts — ROS, R1R, R1, R-3050, R-2250, R-1650, R-1250

Purpose & where used

• The residential chapters set permitted primary, accessory and conditional uses for the city’s single- and multi-family zones; the land-use table is Table 30.11-A and the programmatic rules for permitted vs conditional uses appear in § 30.11.020.

Typical permitted uses

• One dwelling per lot and multiple residential dwellings are listed as P where appropriate; supportive uses (community gardens, parks, limited congregate living, domestic violence shelter) are included with specific P/C designations in Table 30.11-A. See § 30.11.020 and Table 30.11-A.

Key dimensional standards (decision-relevant excerpts)

• Setbacks (street front): Common 25 ft minimum for many single-family contexts (see table notes and § 30.11.070 for exceptions).
• Floor Area Ratio (FAR) — typical maxima: .65, .85, 1.0, 1.2 depending on the zone (Table 30.11-B entries).
• Lot coverage: often 50% (varies by zone); check underlying table entry.
• Height: typical maximum 3 stories / 36 ft in many residential zones; see § 30.11.040 for height rules and exceptions.

Where it applies

• These standards apply to properties mapped to the listed residential zones; use allowances and exceptions (e.g., for solar, historic property) are flagged in the tables and cross-referenced to specific sections (see Table 30.11-A notes).

Mixed‑Use districts — IMU, IMU‑R, SFMU, and DSP (Downtown Specific Plan)

Purpose & where used

• Mixed‑use districts allow combinations of commercial, residential and light industrial activities; rules for uses are summarized in Table 30.14-A and the implementing rules are in § 30.14.020.

Typical permitted uses and permits

• The tables show what is P, what needs an A (administrative use permit, Chapter 30.49), and what is C (conditional). ADUs are specifically permitted in certain mixed-use parcels with a reference to § 30.34.080 for ADU rules.

Key constraints and notes

• Drive‑thru uses are prohibited in many mixed‑use zones (table note). Supermarkets and alcohol-related on‑site consumption may require an administrative use permit (see table notes). Manufacturing on ground floor is limited on certain frontages (see notes referencing San Fernando Road, Broadway, Colorado/Los Feliz/Central avenues). See § 30.14.020 and Table 30.14‑A.

• For DSP properties the DSP document controls many allowed uses and setbacks — the code directs the user to the Downtown Specific Plan for the DSP zone rules. See the DSP note in § 30.14.020.

Transit‑Oriented Development districts — TOD I and TOD II

Purpose & where used

• TOD zones focus heavier density near transit; permitted uses and dimensional rules are in § 30.16.030 and related tables.

Typical permitted uses and standards

• Residential density may reach up to 100 du/acre (with an 87 du/acre limitation abutting lower‑density zones in some contexts); height limits are set at 60 ft (TOD I) and 200 ft (TOD II) as shown in Table 30.16.030‑A. Parking and loading are governed by Chapter 30.32 and design review per Chapter 30.47.

Planned Residential Development Overlay — PRD (e.g., PRD—R1, PRD—R‑3050, etc.)

Purpose & where used

• The PRD overlay allows project‑level regulated developments that supersede some underlying-zone dimensional rules; see § 30.20.010 (purpose) and § 30.20.020 (land uses and permit requirements).

Typical rules and standards

• PRD minimum site size: 5 acres (Table 30.20‑B). Density, setbacks and coverage are governed by the PRD chapter and its tables; permitted uses must be identified on the development plan and are shown in Table 30.20‑A. Conditional uses (C) require § 30.42 procedures.

Equestrian / agricultural special chapter — Chapter 30.21

Purpose & where used

• Rules for keeping horses, corrals and stables are in Chapter 30.21, and the keeping of up to four horses per lot (or one per 3,000 sq ft, whichever is less) is allowed with standards in Table 30.21‑A and § text. Setbacks and construction standards for stables are spelled out in § 30.21.040.

At-a-glance table — common decision‑relevant items

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

• Confirm the property's mapped zone and any overlay(s) on the official city zoning map (verify permitted symbol P/C/A/T/W in the applicable table) — see § 30.11.020 / § 30.14.020 / § 30.20.020.
• Confirm whether the proposed use is permitted or requires a conditional use permit (Chapter 30.42) or administrative use permit (Chapter 30.49) — see § 30.42.010.
• Meet applicable dimensional standards (setbacks, height, FAR, lot coverage) found in the zone’s development standards table (e.g., Table 30.11‑B; Table 30.16‑030‑A) and check exceptions (solar, historic).
• Comply with parking and loading requirements in Chapter 30.32 and incorporate any design review requirements (Chapter 30.47) early.
• If proposing an ADU, follow § 30.34.080 ADU rules (setbacks, max sizes, height exceptions).
• Check overlay standards where applicable (PRD, DSP, TOD) and any separate specific plans for additional or superseding rules.

(Links: see Glendale Overlay Districts and Glendale ADUs for procedural info.)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Glendale’s zoning code lists what’s allowed in each named zone using tables: P = permitted, C = conditional (needs discretionary permit), and tables also show the key numbers — setbacks, heights, FAR, lot coverage. Look up the zone on the official map, read the table row for that zone (e.g., residential R‑1250 or mixed use IMU), then follow the cross‑references to the development standards, parking (Chapter 30.32) and design review (Chapter 30.47). If you see a C, plan for a conditional use hearing; if you’re in a specific plan (DSP/PRD/TOD) that plan may control instead.

Source References

• Zoning Ordinance title and purpose: § 30.01.010; § 30.01.020.
• Residential land use tables and standards: § 30.11.020; Table 30.11‑A and Table 30.11‑B (development standards such as setbacks, FAR, height).
• Mixed‑use districts and Table: § 30.14.020; Table 30.14‑A (IMU / IMU‑R / SFMU specifics).
• TOD districts: § 30.16.030; Table 30.16.030‑A (density, height).
• PRD overlay rules: § 30.20.010; § 30.20.020; Table 30.20‑A/B (PRD permitted uses and general standards).
• Conditional Use Permit (process & findings): § 30.42.010–§ 30.42.030.
• ADU rules (local): referenced in the mixed‑use table and detailed in local ADU section (§ 30.34.080).
• Parking & loading: Chapter 30.32 referenced from TOD and other district tables.
• Design review: Chapter 30.47 referenced in district development standards.
• City site pages and local menus that explain related procedures: Glendale Zoning, Glendale Development Standards, Glendale Parking, Glendale Design Review, Glendale Overlay Districts, Glendale Historic Preservation, Glendale ADUs, California Building Standards Code.

Retrieved passages

• Glendale Zoning Code (§ 30.20.020.) High relevance show source text
• Glendale Zoning Code (§ 30.20.030.) High relevance show source text
• Glendale Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Glendale Zoning Code (§ 30.11.020.) High relevance show source text
• Glendale Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Glendale Zoning Code (chapter establishes) High relevance show source text
• Glendale Zoning Code (§ 30.16.030.) High relevance show source text
• Glendale Zoning Code (Section or) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• **Zoning Ordinance title and purpose:** **§ 30.01.010**; **§ 30.01.020**. (title and)
• **Residential land use tables and standards:** **§ 30.11.020**; Table 30.11‑A and Table 30.11‑B (development standards such as setbacks, FAR, height). (§ 30.11.020)
• **Mixed‑use districts and Table:** **§ 30.14.020**; Table 30.14‑A (IMU / IMU‑R / SFMU specifics). (§ 30.14.020)
• **TOD districts:** **§ 30.16.030**; Table 30.16.030‑A (density, height). (§ 30.16.030)
• **PRD overlay rules:** **§ 30.20.010**; **§ 30.20.020**; Table 30.20‑A/B (PRD permitted uses and general standards). (§ 30.20.010)
• **Conditional Use Permit (process & findings):** **§ 30.42.010**–**§ 30.42.030**. (§ 30.42.010)
• **ADU rules (local):** referenced in the mixed‑use table and detailed in local ADU section (**§ 30.34.080**). (§ 30.34.080)
• **Parking & loading:** Chapter **30.32** referenced from TOD and other district tables.
• **Design review:** Chapter **30.47** referenced in district development standards.
• City site pages and local menus that explain related procedures: Glendale Zoning, Glendale Development Standards, Glendale Parking, Glendale Design Review, Glendale Overlay Districts, Glendale Historic Preservation, Glendale ADUs, California Building Standards Code.
• Glendale_ZoningCode.md

• Official Glendale code library