Glendale · Zoning · C3
Glendale C3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Glendale's C3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 50 ft (3 stories) tall and the front setback is None required, with the conditions listed below (Glendale code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 50 ft (Height District I)
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories (Height District I)
- Minimum front setback: None required (If the distance from curb to property line is under 12 ft, the build-to line is at least 12 ft from the curb)
- Minimum side setback: None required (Except a 5 ft minimum for multi-family projects and multi-family parts of mixed-use. Density bonus projects above the height limit add a 5 ft step-back.)
- Maximum density: 1 dwelling unit per 1,250 sq. ft. of lot area (Multi-family residential projects and multi-family residential portions of mixed-use projects)
C3 is a zoning district in Glendale. Every value below was read from the Glendale 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 C3
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 | 50 ft Applies: Height District I § 30.12.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Height Limits (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) See Section 30.12.040B and C for additional information”, column “C3”: District I—50' max and 3 stories max District II—65' max and 4 stories max District III—90' max and 6 stories max District IV—35' max |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories Applies: Height District I § 30.12.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Height Limits (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) See Section 30.12.040B and C for additional information”, column “C3”: District I—50' max and 3 stories max District II—65' max and 4 stories max District III—90' max and 6 stories max District IV—35' max |
| Minimum front setback | None required Applies: If the distance from curb to property line is under 12 ft, the build-to line is at least 12 ft from the curb The code attaches note 6 to this value. This page does not show it; read the code before relying on the number. § 30.12.030 · code textTable row “Street Front”, column “C3”: None, except when the distance from the face-of-curb to the property line is less than 12 feet, in which case the build-to line shall be a minimum of 12 feet from the face-of-curb. (6) |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: Except a 5 ft minimum for multi-family projects and multi-family parts of mixed-use. Density bonus projects above the height limit add a 5 ft step-back. § 30.12.030 · code textTable row “Interior not adjacent to residential zones”, column “C3”: None, except a 5' minimum for multi-family residential and multi-family residential portions of mixed-use projects. For density bonus projects exceeding the maximum height limits below, an additional 5' minimum step-back shall be required for all full floors above the maximum height limit permitted by right. |
| Maximum density | 1 dwelling unit per 1,250 sq. ft. of lot area Applies: Multi-family residential projects and multi-family residential portions of mixed-use projects § 30.12.030 · code textTable row “Density for Multi-family Residential Projects and Multi-family Residential Portions of Mixed-Use Projects”, column “C3”: 1 dwelling unit for each 1,250 sq. ft. of lot area. On lots having a width of 90 feet or greater, there shall not be more than 1 dwelling unit for each 1,000 sq. ft. of lot area. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C3:
- Maximum building height: 65 ft — Height District II § 30.12.030
- Maximum building height: 90 ft — Height District III § 30.12.030
- Maximum building height: 35 ft — Height District IV § 30.12.030
- Maximum number of stories: 4 stories — Height District II § 30.12.030
- Maximum number of stories: 6 stories — Height District III § 30.12.030
- Minimum front setback: 12 ft — Public realm area along street front and side street frontages for all new projects, measured from the face-of-curb to the build-to line § 30.12.040
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft min and 8 ft average — Adjacent to residential zones; buildings up to and including 28 ft high; new projects have extra stepback rules (Chapter 30.17) § 30.12.030
- Minimum side setback: 7 ft min and 10 ft average — Adjacent to residential zones; buildings over 28 ft and up to and including 35 ft high; new projects have extra stepback rules (Chapter 30.17) § 30.12.030
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft min and 20 ft average — Adjacent to residential zones; buildings over 35 ft high; new projects have extra stepback rules (Chapter 30.17) § 30.12.030
- Maximum density: 1 dwelling unit per 1,000 sq. ft. of lot area — Lots having a width of 90 feet or greater; multi-family residential projects and multi-family residential portions of mixed-use projects § 30.12.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general rear setback, lot size, lot coverage, FAR limit for C3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Glendale Municipal Code.
Other Glendale zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Glendale's C3 zone?
50 ft (height District I) — Glendale Municipal Code § 30.12.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in Glendale's C3 zone?
3 stories (height District I) — Glendale Municipal Code § 30.12.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Glendale's C3 zone?
None required (if the distance from curb to property line is under 12 ft, the build-to line is at least 12 ft from the curb) — Glendale Municipal Code § 30.12.030. The code attaches notes or conditions to this value; read the section before relying on it.
What is the minimum side setback in Glendale's C3 zone?
None required (except a 5 ft minimum for multi-family projects and multi-family parts of mixed-use. Density bonus projects above the height limit add a 5 ft step-back) — Glendale Municipal Code § 30.12.030.
What is the maximum density in Glendale's C3 zone?
1 dwelling unit per 1,250 sq. ft. of lot area (multi-family residential projects and multi-family residential portions of mixed-use projects) — Glendale Municipal Code § 30.12.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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