Maywood — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Maywood administers land use through the Maywood Zoning Ordinance (April 28, 2009), which establishes mapped zoning districts, overlay districts, and citywide development standards. The official zoning map and district rules set what you can build, where, and at what intensity, with cross-cutting standards for setbacks, height, and parking. The ordinance also includes design review, limited administrative adjustments, and special overlays to fine-tune outcomes.

The starting point is always the City’s adopted Zoning Map; district boundaries and any FAR or density suffixes on that map control, and boundary uncertainties are resolved by the rules in § 3020.20.

How Maywood’s zoning is organized

• Districts established: R-3 Residential, RS Residential, Specialty (Overlay), C Town Center Commercial, CM General Commercial/Manufacturing, M Manufacturing, OS Open Space, PF Public Facilities, and CC Civic Center (Overlay); all are mapped on the official Zoning Map “dated October 8, 1990, or as amended.” See § 3010.10 and § 3020.10.
• Citywide rules for yard encroachments, corner cut-offs, and maintenance apply in all districts (start at § 4070).
• When in doubt about boundaries, use the ordinance’s uncertainty rules in § 3020.20.

District-by-district standards and guidance

R-3 Residential

Purpose and character

• Provides “high quality, attractive, and livable residential neighborhoods” at up to 20 du/acre; primarily single-family detached/attached units with compatible accessory uses. See § 4010.10–4010.30.

Typical permitted uses

• Residential dwellings and customary accessory uses; conditional uses listed in Appendix A (e.g., some parking serving adjacent nonresidential uses). See § 4010.20–4010.40.

Key dimensional standards

• Minimum lot area: 5,000 sq ft; Council may require larger in some cases (§ 4010.50).
• Minimum lot width: 40 ft for a lot with one dwelling unit or one unit plus a second unit (Appendix C) (§ 4010.60).
• Maximum lot coverage: 65% (§ 4010.70).
• Maximum density: 20 du/acre; lots < 50 ft wide are limited to one primary unit (plus one second unit per Appendix C) regardless of area (§ 4010.80).
• Height: 35 ft or 2 stories (whichever is greater) (§ 4010.90).
• Yards: Front 25 ft (Appendix D may modify in mapped areas) (§ 4010.120); Interior side first story = 10% of lot width (min 3 ft, max required 5 ft), second story 5 ft; street side 10 ft (§ 4010.130); Rear = first story 10% of lot depth (min 15 ft), second story add 3 ft (§ 4010.140).
• Additional R‑3 privacy/design: minimum separations and context-sensitive design standards (§ 4010.150–4010.170).

Where it applies

• As mapped on the Zoning Map; confirm parcels and any modified yard areas in Appendix D per § 3020.10 and § 4070.70.

Notes

• “Second units” (ADUs) are addressed in Appendix C and § 4010.210; see the city’s dedicated ADUs page for current state-aligned rules.

RS Residential, Specialty (Overlay)

Purpose and character

• An overlay to enable higher-density senior citizen housing close to medical and retail services; the R‑3 standards apply unless modified here (§ 4020.10 and § 4020.40).

Typical permitted uses

• Primary permitted use is senior citizen housing; other uses default to the underlying district unless noted in Appendix A (§ 4020.20).

Key dimensional standards

• Minimum lot size: 10,000 sq ft (§ 4020.50).
• Max coverage: 70% (§ 4020.60).
• Max density: up to 48 du/acre; Council-selected density is shown as a suffix on the map (e.g., “R3‑RS‑48”); where not shown, determined by site plan review (§ 4020.70).
• Height: 50 ft or 4 stories (whichever is greater) (§ 4020.80).
• Minimum unit sizes: bachelor 350 sf, 1‑BR 500 sf, 2‑BR 650 sf, 3+‑BR 800 sf (§ 4020.90).
• Special senior standards (accessibility, elevators, recreational facilities; limited on-site medical) (§ 4020.100–4020.110).
• Parking reductions up to 25% may be allowed for qualifying projects in RS (§ 4020.120).

Where it applies

• Only where mapped as an overlay; verify on the Zoning Map per § 3020.10.

Related flexibility

• The ordinance also provides a Planned Unit Development pathway tailored to RS‑area affordable housing with context-based height envelopes; review § 5125 if pursuing a PUD.

C Town Center Commercial

Purpose and character

• Neighborhood and community-serving retail/services in enclosed buildings; implements Town Center Commercial policies (§ 4030.10–4030.20.A).

Typical permitted uses

• Local/community-serving commercial per Appendix A; all uses must be indoors (§ 4030.20.A, § 4030.30) with conditional uses per Appendix A (§ 4030.40).

Key dimensional standards

• Min lot area/width: 5,000 sf / 50 ft (§ 4030.50).
• Max lot coverage: 90% (§ 4030.60).
• FAR: 0.30 (§ 4030.70.A).
• Height: 3 stories or 45 ft (whichever is less) (§ 4030.80).
• Yards: no front or rear yard required; side yard only when abutting right‑of‑way (5 ft landscape) or abutting residential (first story 6 ft, add 3 ft per additional story) (§ 4030.90–4030.110).
• Fences/walls next to residential: 6–8 ft decorative masonry required (§ 4030.140.A).
• Landscaping: minimum 2% site, drought‑resistant, 1 tree per 40 ft frontage (§ 4030.150).

Where it applies

• As mapped; confirm FAR suffixes on the Zoning Map (§ 4030.70.B–C; § 3020.10).

CM General Commercial/Manufacturing

Purpose and character

• Full range of commercial uses plus limited/restricted manufacturing and wholesaling in enclosed buildings; implements General Commercial policies (§ 4030.10–4030.20.B).

Typical permitted uses

• Commercial by right; limited small‑scale industrial/wholesale per Appendix A; conditional uses as listed there (§ 4030.20.B–4030.40).

Key dimensional standards

• Same lot area/width and max coverage as C (§ 4030.50–4030.60).
• FAR: Council‑set range 0.25–0.50 shown as a suffix on the map; default 0.30 if none shown (§ 4030.70.B).
• Height and yards mirror C (§ 4030.80–4030.110).
• Landscaping as in C (§ 4030.150).

Where it applies

• As mapped; always confirm any FAR suffix on the Zoning Map (§ 4030.70.B–C; § 3020.10).

M Manufacturing

Purpose and character

• Areas for light industrial/manufacturing with controls to protect nearby neighborhoods; some general commercial may be appropriate depending on context (§ 4040.10).

Typical permitted uses

• Light manufacturing without excessive noise/odor/dust/etc.; accessory uses and certain retail/other uses may be allowed or require CUP per Appendix A (§ 4040.20–4040.40).

Key dimensional standards

• Min lot area/width: 5,000 sf / 50 ft (§ 4040.50–4040.60).
• Max lot coverage: 90% (§ 4040.70).
• FAR: Council‑set, shown on map (e.g., “M‑0.35”); default 0.40 if none (§ 4040.80).
• Height: 3 stories or 45 ft (whichever is less) (§ 4040.90).
• Yards: no front yard; side yard = 5 ft along rights‑of‑way, 25 ft when abutting residential; no rear yard unless abutting residential (15 ft) (§ 4040.100–4040.120).
• Screening next to residential: 6–8 ft solid masonry wall (§ 4040.150.A).
• Landscaping: minimum 2% site; drought‑resistant; 1 tree per 40 ft frontage (§ 4040.160).

Where it applies

• As mapped and subject to any FAR suffixes shown on the Zoning Map (§ 4040.80; § 3020.10).

OS Open Space

Purpose and character

• Public parks and resource protection areas; generally applied to public lands (§ 4050.10).

Typical permitted uses

• Public parks and recreation facilities; accessory and conditional uses per Appendix A (§ 4050.20–4050.40).

Key dimensional standards

• Setbacks: 20 ft from all property lines for any permanent building; height: 1 story or 20 ft (whichever is greater) (§ 4050.50).

Where it applies

• As mapped on the Zoning Map (§ 3020.10).

PF Public Facilities

Purpose and character

• Sites for public buildings, schools, utilities, etc., with compatibility protections to neighborhoods (§ 4060.10–4060.40).

Typical permitted uses

• Public facility uses per Appendix A; certain uses require CUP (§ 4060.20–4060.40).

Key dimensional standards

• Min lot area/width: 7,500 sf / 50 ft (§ 4060.50–4060.60).
• FAR: 0.50 (§ 4060.70).
• Height: 45 ft or 3 stories (whichever is less) (§ 4060.80).
• Yards: Front 10 ft (unless Appendix D indicates otherwise); side yards only when abutting ROW (5 ft) or residential (15 ft); rear 10 ft (§ 4060.90–4060.110).

Where it applies

• As mapped on the Zoning Map (§ 3020.10).

CC Civic Center (Overlay)

Purpose and character

• Overlay to facilitate civic buildings (City Hall, police, fire, community recreation, civic auditoriums, etc.). Underlying district rules apply unless modified here (§ 4065.10–4065.30).

Typical permitted uses

• Any use permitted in the underlying district plus civic buildings intended for City business (§ 4065.20).

Key dimensional standards

• Min lot size: 10,000 sf; FAR 0.50 (§ 4065.40–4065.50).
• Height: 3 stories or 45 ft (whichever is greater) for civic buildings; others follow underlying district (§ 4065.60).
• Yards: use Commercial (C) yard standards (§ 4065.70).

Where it applies

• As mapped on the Zoning Map; it overlays base zoning (§ 3020.10; § 4065.10).

Fast-reference standards table

Practical cross‑district rules

• Encroachments into yards (eaves, balconies, etc.) are allowed per Table in § 4070.90; observe corner cut-off visibility rules in § 4070.100.
• Landscaping minimums for commercial/manufacturing are set at 2% of the site with drought-resistant planting and tree frontage ratios (§ 4030.150; § 4040.160).
• Citywide standards, performance standards, right‑of‑way dedication, parking, and signs all apply where referenced in each district. Start at § 4070–§ 4110.

Administration and process touchpoints

• Site Plan Review is required for all residential development (except a single‑family dwelling on a previously subdivided lot and residential second units) and for commercial/industrial over 5,000 sf (§ 5120.20). Coordinate this early with Design Review.
• Minor “Administrative Modifications of Standards” can adjust certain yard sizes, heights of fences, or minimum areas by less than 10% under findings in § 5110. More significant relief uses the variances process (see § 5100; not retrieved in full).
• Check overlays on the Zoning Map, including RS and CC; see Overlay Districts. FAR or density suffixes control in CM, M, and RS (§ 4030.70; § 4040.80; § 4020.70).

Link-outs for related requirements

• Start at the Maywood zoning & planning overview, check Development Standards for setbacks/encroachments, confirm Parking, route through Design Review where required, verify overlays at Overlay Districts, understand legacy status at Nonconforming Uses, and see ADUs for backyard/second units. Construction details live in the California Building Standards Code.

Checklist

• Confirm base district and any overlay on the City’s Zoning Map; note any FAR/density suffixes in CM/M/RS (see § 3020.10; § 4020.70; § 4030.70; § 4040.80).
• Verify your proposed use is permitted or conditionally permitted (Appendix A; e.g., C vs. CM differences) (see § 4030.20–4030.40; § 4040.20–4040.40).
• Check lot area/width, coverage, density, FAR, and height limits for your district (see table above and district §§).
• Apply yard standards, including any Appendix D modified yard areas and citywide encroachment limits (§ 4010.120; § 4070.70; § 4070.90).
• Confirm Parking counts and layout per § 4100; note limited reductions in RS and PUD contexts (§ 4020.120; § 5125.20.2).
• Determine if Site Plan Review applies (residential unless exempt; commercial/industrial > 5,000 sf) (§ 5120.20).
• If constraints exist, consider an Administrative Modification (§ 5110) or a variance; document findings.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Maywood assigns every parcel a zoning district on its official map. If you’re in R‑3, expect a 25‑foot front yard, a 35‑foot height limit, and density up to 20 homes per acre; the RS overlay can boost senior housing to 48 units per acre. Commercial districts C/CM allow intense coverage (up to 90%), low or no front/rear setbacks, and FAR caps, while M supports light industry with strong buffers next to homes. Always check the map, suffixes, overlays, and citywide standards before designing.

Source References

• Establishment of zones and official Zoning Map: § 3010.10; § 3020.10–3020.20.
• R‑3 Residential standards: § 4010.10–4010.240 (lot area/width/coverage/density/height/yards/design/privacy).
• RS Residential, Specialty (Overlay): § 4020.10–4020.120 (purpose, density to 48, height to 50 ft, standards).
• C/CM Commercial: § 4030.10–4030.170 (uses, FARs, yards, landscaping).
• M Manufacturing: § 4040.10–4040.170 (uses, FARs, yards, walls, landscaping).
• OS Open Space: § 4050.10–4050.50.
• PF Public Facilities: § 4060.10–4060.160.
• CC Civic Center (Overlay): § 4065.10–4065.80.
• Citywide standards, encroachments and corner cut-offs: § 4070.60–4070.110.
• Parking and loading: § 4100 (applies citywide; reductions in RS/PUD noted separately).
• Site Plan Review and Administrative Modifications: § 5120; § 5110.

Information Gaps

• Full Appendix A “Regulation of Uses by Zone District” matrix was only partially visible in retrieved materials (e.g., selected “W” entries); confirm your specific use category in the complete Appendix A. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Appendix D map/list of blocks with modified front-yard setbacks was not included. Not found in retrieved materials.

Retrieved passages

• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 4100) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (SECTION 3000) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 10) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 5110.40.A) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 4070.90.) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (SECTION 4000) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 88.02.a.) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 4100) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• CBC § 65915 (Title 24) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (SECTION 3000) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• CBC § 4010.100 High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• CFC § 4100.60 (Chapter 4100) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Chapter 4) High relevance show source text
• Maywood Zoning Code (Section 4070.110.) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Establishment of zones and official Zoning Map: **§ 3010.10; § 3020.10–3020.20**. (§ 3010.10)
• R‑3 Residential standards: **§ 4010.10–4010.240** (lot area/width/coverage/density/height/yards/design/privacy). (§ 4010.10)
• RS Residential, Specialty (Overlay): **§ 4020.10–4020.120** (purpose, density to 48, height to 50 ft, standards). (§ 4020.10)
• C/CM Commercial: **§ 4030.10–4030.170** (uses, FARs, yards, landscaping). (§ 4030.10)
• M Manufacturing: **§ 4040.10–4040.170** (uses, FARs, yards, walls, landscaping). (§ 4040.10)
• OS Open Space: **§ 4050.10–4050.50**. (§ 4050.10)
• PF Public Facilities: **§ 4060.10–4060.160**. (§ 4060.10)
• CC Civic Center (Overlay): **§ 4065.10–4065.80**. (§ 4065.10)
• Citywide standards, encroachments and corner cut-offs: **§ 4070.60–4070.110**. (§ 4070.60)
• Parking and loading: **§ 4100** (applies citywide; reductions in RS/PUD noted separately). (§ 4100)
• Site Plan Review and Administrative Modifications: **§ 5120; § 5110**. (§ 5120)
• Maywood_ZoningCode.md

• Official Maywood code library