Manhattan Beach · Zoning · RS-III
Manhattan Beach RS-III zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Manhattan Beach's RS-III zone, buildings can be up to 30 ft (3 stories) tall, the front setback is 5 ft and the minimum lot size is 2,700 sq ft (Manhattan Beach code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories (Where the height limit is thirty feet.)
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, min 3 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 5 or 10 ft (10 ft for non-alley lots abutting residential at the rear with 2,700 sq ft or more; otherwise 5 ft.)
- Minimum lot size: 2,700 sq ft
RS-III (RS, Area District III) is a zoning district in Manhattan Beach. Every value below was read from the Manhattan Beach 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 RS-III
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 § 10.12.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Height of Structures (ft.)”, column “RS”: 30 |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories Applies: Where the height limit is thirty feet. § 10.12.030 · code textThe maximum number of stories permitted shall be three (3) where the height limit is thirty feet (30′) and two (2) where the height limit is twenty-six feet (26′). |
| Minimum front setback | 5 ft § 10.12.030 · code textTable row “Front (ft.)”, column “RS”: 5 |
| Minimum side setback | 10% of lot width, min 3 ft § 10.12.030 · code textTable row “Side (percentage-ft.)”, column “RS”: 10%—3 min. |
| Minimum rear setback | 5 or 10 ft Applies: 10 ft for non-alley lots abutting residential at the rear with 2,700 sq ft or more; otherwise 5 ft. § 10.12.030 · code textTable row “Rear (ft.)”, column “RS”: 5 or 10 |
| Minimum lot size | 2,700 sq ft § 10.12.030 · code textTable row “Minimum”, column “RS”: 2,700 |
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot coverage, FAR, density limit for RS-III in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code.
Other Manhattan Beach zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Manhattan Beach's RS-III zone?
30 ft — Manhattan Beach Municipal Code § 10.12.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in Manhattan Beach's RS-III zone?
3 stories (where the height limit is thirty feet) — Manhattan Beach Municipal Code § 10.12.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Manhattan Beach's RS-III zone?
5 ft — Manhattan Beach Municipal Code § 10.12.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Manhattan Beach's RS-III zone?
10% of lot width, min 3 ft — Manhattan Beach Municipal Code § 10.12.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Manhattan Beach's RS-III zone?
5 or 10 ft (10 ft for non-alley lots abutting residential at the rear with 2,700 sq ft or more; otherwise 5 ft) — Manhattan Beach Municipal Code § 10.12.030.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Manhattan Beach property in RS-III
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question