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Huntington Beach · Building on your lot

Lot splits under SB 9 in Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach's own rules on lot splits under sb 9, with the code text for every value, and the state law underneath.

Each rule below links to the section of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Huntington Beach's code says

Huntington Beach code What Huntington Beach's code adds
Unit size
  • At most 800 square feet and 1 bedroom.
    Applies: Applies to SB 9 units on lots smaller than 10,000 square feet.
    § 237.12 · code text
    800 square feet and one bedroom for lot sizes of less than 10,000 square feet.
  • At most 1,600 square feet and 2 bedrooms.
    Applies: Applies to SB 9 units on lots of 10,000 square feet or more.
    § 237.12 · code text
    1,600 square feet and two bedrooms for lot sizes of 10,000 square feet or greater.
  • Up to 1,600 square feet.
    Applies: Applies to SB 9 units voluntarily rented at rates affordable to low-income tenants.
    § 237.12 · code text
    Applicants that voluntarily provide SB 9 units rented or leased at a maximum rate affordable to low-income tenants, shall be eligible for additional square footage up to 1,600 square feet and two bedrooms and maximum height of two stories per unit.
Setbacks
  • At least 4 feet.
    Applies: Applies to all side and rear lot lines.
    § 237.12 · code text
    Any units constructed pursuant to the provisions of SB 9 shall have a minimum four-foot setback from all side and rear lot lines.
  • No additional setbacks are required.
    Applies: Applies to a unit built within the footprint of an existing structure on the lot.
    § 237.12 · code text
    No additional setbacks shall be required if a unit is constructed within the footprint of an existing structure on a lot.
Standards
  • No more than 16 feet and 1 story high.
    Applies: Applies to detached SB 9 units.
    § 237.12 · code text
    No detached unit constructed pursuant to SB 9 regulations shall exceed 16 feet and/or exceed more than one story in height.
  • Up to 2 stories per unit.
    Applies: Applies to SB 9 units voluntarily rented at rates affordable to low-income tenants.
    § 237.12 · code text
    Applicants that voluntarily provide SB 9 units rented or leased at a maximum rate affordable to low-income tenants, shall be eligible for additional square footage up to 1,600 square feet and two bedrooms and maximum height of two stories per unit.
  • Each new lot must be at least 20 feet wide.
    Applies: Applies to each lot from an urban lot split.
    § 237.12 · code text
    The width of any lot resulting from an urban lot split shall not be less than 20 feet wide.
  • New driveways may be no wider than 10 feet.
    Applies: New SB 9 parcels on interior lots without alley access, with frontage of 30 feet or less.
    § 237.12 · code text
    New driveways proposed for parcels created by SB 9 development projects on interior lots without alley access are limited to a maximum width of 10 feet if the proposed frontage of the new parcel is 30 feet or less.
  • No flag lots may be created.
    Applies: Applies when the property borders an alley, is a corner lot, or is a through lot; through lots on arterial highways are excepted.
    § 237.12 · code text
    No flag lots shall be created as a result of an urban lot split if the subject property is adjacent to an alley, located on a corner, or on a through lot.
  • Both lots must be developed at the same time as the urban lot split.
    Applies: Applies to urban lot splits.
    § 237.12 · code text
    Development of both lots shall occur concurrently with the urban lot split.
  • ADUs and JADUs are not allowed.
    Applies: Applies to projects involving a lot split.
    § 237.10 · code text
    For projects involving a lot split, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) shall be prohibited.
Owner occupancy
  • The owner must live in one unit as their principal residence for at least 3 years.
    Applies: The owner signs an affidavit; community land trusts and qualified nonprofit corporations are exempt.
    § 237.10 · code text
    the owner of the property for which an urban lot split is proposed shall sign an affidavit stating that the owner intends to occupy one of the housing units as their principal residence for at least three years from the date of the approval of the urban lot split;
Parking
  • 1 enclosed or partly enclosed parking space.
    Applies: Each SB 9 unit; not required within 1/2 mile walk of high-quality transit or a major transit stop, or 1 block of car-share.
    § 237.12 · code text
    One enclosed or partially enclosed parking space is required for each unit created pursuant to SB 9, unless the parcel upon which the unit is created is within one-half mile walking distance of a high-quality transit corridor, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21155, or a major transit stop, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 21064.3, or there is a car share vehicle located within one block of the project.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Huntington Beach?

Huntington Beach's code: At most 800 square feet and 1 bedroom. (Applies to SB 9 units on lots smaller than 10,000 square feet.) (§ 237.12); At most 1,600 square feet and 2 bedrooms. (Applies to SB 9 units on lots of 10,000 square feet or more.) (§ 237.12).

General information, not legal advice.

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