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La Cañada Flintridge · Building on your lot

Lot splits under SB 9 in La Cañada Flintridge

La Cañada Flintridge'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 La Cañada Flintridge Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What La Cañada Flintridge's code says

La Cañada Flintridge code What La Cañada Flintridge's code adds
How the lot may be divided
  • No new parcel may be smaller than 40% of the original lot area.
    Applies: Urban lot split. No more than 2 new parcels of about equal lot area.
    § 11.85.070 · code text
    An urban lot split shall not result in more than two new parcels of approximately equal lot area, provided that one parcel shall not be smaller than 40% of the lot area of the original parcel.
Unit size
  • At most 800 square feet.
    Applies: Urban dwelling (SB 9 unit). Counts all habitable area, including any basement or habitable attic; garage area is not counted.
    § 11.85.040 · code text
    The maximum size of an urban dwelling shall not exceed 800 square feet and shall include all habitable areas, including any basement (whether daylighting or not) or habitable attic area.
  • Up to 1,600 square feet.
    Applies: Applies if the urban dwelling meets standard R-1 front, side and rear setbacks and the owner records the required deed restriction.
    § 11.85.040 · code text
    If the urban dwelling meets the requirements for the standard R-1 front, side, and rear yard setbacks (per LCFMC 11.11.050(C)), the maximum size can be up to one thousand six hundred feet (1,600) square feet.
Minimum new lot size
  • Each new parcel must be at least 1,200 square feet.
    Applies: Applies to both parcels created by an urban lot split.
    § 11.85.070 · code text
    Both newly created parcels created by an urban lot split shall not be smaller than 1,200 square feet.
Setbacks
  • At least 4 feet from side and rear property lines.
    Applies: Applies to new structures and additions.
    § 11.85.040 · code text
    The minimum setback from the side and rear property line is four feet.
Standards
  • Up to 2 units on each parcel from an urban lot split; up to 3 on a parcel not split.
    § 11.85.040 · code text
    Each parcel created through an urban lot split shall be limited to two dwelling units.
  • Urban lot splits are allowed only in the R-1 Single-Family Residential Zone.
    Applies: Applies to urban lot splits.
    § 11.85.060 · code text
    Any proposed urban lot split must be located within the R-1 Single-Family Residential Zone.
  • 1 floor level and no more than 18 feet high.
    Applies: Applies to new urban dwelling structures.
    § 11.85.040 · code text
    An urban dwelling shall not be more than one-floor level and shall not exceed 18 feet in height, as measured from the lowest finish grade adjacent to the building or directly beneath a projecting wall surface, to the highest roof structure.
  • 25 feet in height; maximum top plate height of 18 feet
    Applies: Insufficient space to develop an urban dwelling up to 800 square feet at a single floor level
    § 11.85.040 · code text
    Where there is insufficient space to develop an urban dwelling up to a maximum of 800 square feet at a single floor level, the urban dwelling shall not exceed 25 feet in height, with a maximum top plate height of 18 feet.
  • The second floor must step back at least 4 feet from the ground floor.
    Applies: Projects over the 1-floor height limit. Applies on side and rear setbacks only.
    § 11.85.040 · code text
    Projects that exceed the one floor level height limit per subsection (F)(4) of this section, must step-back the second floor level a minimum of four feet from the ground floor.
  • A 20-foot-wide flag or access easement.
    Applies: New parcels without direct frontage on a public or private road, unless the LA County Fire Department approves otherwise.
    § 11.85.070 · code text
    A 20 foot-wide flag/access easement shall be provided for all new parcels that do not have direct frontage on a public or private road, unless otherwise approved by the LA County Fire Department.
  • Each new parcel's average lot width may not be less than the original parcel's average lot width.
    Applies: Urban lot split. A waiver is available if the applicant shows this would prevent an otherwise qualifying split.
    § 11.85.070 · code text
    Subdivision shall not result in a new parcel with an average lot width that is less than the average lot width of the original parcel.
  • At least 2 exterior wall materials.
    Applies: New urban dwellings where none exists, not additions. Allowed: stucco, wood, rock or stone, hand-painted tile, brick or clinker brick.
    § 11.85.050 · code text
    All urban dwellings shall include at minimum of two exterior building wall materials.
  • At least 2 colors.
    Applies: New urban dwellings where none exists, not additions. 1 main wall color and 1 trim color.
    § 11.85.050 · code text
    Urban dwellings shall include at least two colors; one for the main wall color and another for architectural trim pieces.
  • No part of a building may pass a 45-degree plane drawn from 10 feet above ground at all lot lines.
    Applies: Applies to urban dwellings.
    § 11.85.040 · code text
    No portion of a building shall exceed the height of a 45 degree plane drawn from a height of ten feet above existing ground level at all boundaries of the lot.
Owner occupancy
  • The owner must live in 1 unit as principal residence for at least 3 years from the lot split approval.
    Applies: A home is already on the parcel. The affidavit is signed before the parcel map is recorded.
    § 11.85.060 · code text
    Prior to the recordation of the parcel map, the owner of a parcel subject to an urban lot split must sign an affidavit stating that the owner will occupy one of the housing units as their principal residence for a minimum of three years from the date of the approval of the urban lot split if a residence is already located on the parcel
  • Owner must live in 1 unit as principal residence at least 3 years from the urban dwelling's certificate of occupancy.
    Applies: Applies when no home exists on the parcel when the lot split is recorded.
    § 11.85.060 · code text
    or three years from the date of issuance of a certificate of occupancy for an urban dwelling if no residence exists at the time of recordation of the urban lot split.
  • An owner-occupancy affidavit is required before the parcel map is recorded.
    Applies: Does not apply when the applicant is a community land trust or a qualified nonprofit corporation.
    § 11.85.060 · code text
    Prior to the recordation of the parcel map, the owner of a parcel subject to an urban lot split must sign an affidavit stating that the owner will occupy one of the housing units as their principal residence
Parking
  • At least 1 off-street parking space on site.
    Applies: Applies to each urban dwelling.
    § 11.85.040 · code text
    An urban dwelling shall provide at least one off-street, on-site parking space, which can include garages, carports, or driveway parking.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in La Cañada Flintridge?

La Cañada Flintridge's code: No new parcel may be smaller than 40% of the original lot area. (Urban lot split. No more than 2 new parcels of about equal lot area.) (§ 11.85.070); At most 800 square feet. (Urban dwelling (SB 9 unit). Counts all habitable area, including any basement or habitable attic; garage area is not counted.) (§ 11.85.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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