Pasadena — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes how Pasadena organizes land by zoning district, what each district is for, and the most decision-relevant rules you will encounter in Title 17 (the Zoning Code). It is grounded in the City’s adopted Zoning Map and the municipal code chapters that create residential, commercial/industrial, special purpose, and overlay districts; it also points to the local chapters that control parking, design review, and related development standards. The Zoning Map and district list are adopted as part of the Zoning Code (§ 17.20.020) .

How Pasadena structures zoning (quick map)

• The City adopts a single Zoning Map that shows primary zones, suffixes, specific plan subdistricts, and overlay districts (§ 17.20.020) .
• Primary district groups are Residential (RS‑1 through RS‑6; RM‑12, RM‑16, RM‑32, RM‑48), Commercial/Industrial (CO, CL, CG, IG), and Special Purpose (OS, PD, PS) (§ 17.20.020) .
• Many areas are further regulated by Specific Plans (e.g., Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan, East Pasadena Specific Plan) that create subdistrict names and local modifications (see the Lincoln Ave example, § 17.37.030) .

Note: For development standards (setbacks, FAR, height, landscape), see the city's Pasadena Development Standards page. The Zoning Code also references and requires compliance with the city's parking rules (Chapter 17.46) and design review where applicable (§ 17.61.030) .

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the principal zoning districts used citywide, with the Pasadena code citations that establish purpose, typical permitted uses, and the key standards or references to standards. For parcel‑specific numeric standards (exact lot coverage, exact front/setback numbers for each RS suffix) the code refers you to the tables in Article 2 and Article 4; where those tables are not reproduced here the citation is given so you can look up the exact line item for a parcel.

Residential districts — RS‑1 through RS‑6

Purpose: Preserve low‑density single‑family character; set standards for lot sizes, yards, and accessory structures (§ 17.20.020; § 17.22.040) .
Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwellings, permitted accessory structures and accessory uses, limited home occupations; two‑unit provisions and lot‑split rules are addressed in the RS/RM chapters (§ 17.22 series) .
Key dimensional guidance and rules:

• Front‑yard setback measurement rules and averaging rules are prescribed for RS and RM‑12 (minimum setback may be the blockface average but not less than 25 ft in many cases; see § 17.22.050) .
• Garage/carport location and visibility rules (e.g., garages behind primary structure when blockface pattern dictates; 18 ft garage setback when garage doors face the street) are in § 17.22.050.B and cross‑referenced to general setback/encroachment rules (§ 17.40.160) . Where it applies: Citywide parcels shown as RS-1 … RS-6 on the adopted Zoning Map (§ 17.20.020) .

Multi‑family districts — RM‑12, RM‑16, RM‑32, RM‑48

Purpose: Provide graduated density bands for multi‑family housing and implement medium to high density General Plan categories (§ 17.20.020; § 17.22.040) .
Typical permitted uses: duplexes/two‑unit developments (special rules for two units on a lot), multi‑family apartments, accessory residential uses, and some conversions (see Table references in Article 2 and specific use tables) (§ 17.22, § 17.50 series) .
Key dimensional guidance:

• The RS/RM general development standards point to Table 2‑3 and § 17.22.040 for per‑district numeric standards; special front‑setback averaging rules apply to RS and RM‑12 (§ 17.22.050) .
• Specific plan zones and some neighborhood tables (for example FGSP and portions of the Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan) provide district‑specific height limits and FARs where standard RM numbers are modified (see examples in § 17.33 and § 17.37) . Where it applies: Citywide RM‑designated parcels shown on the Zoning Map; suffixes and subdistricts may change allowed density or standards (§ 17.20.020) .

Commercial / Industrial — CO, CL, CG, IG

Purpose: Each commercial/industrial district has distinct intent:

• CO (Commercial Office) — landscape/office environment, office/residential opportunities (§ 17.24.020.A.1–2) .
• CL (Commercial Limited) — neighborhood‑serving businesses with development limits to protect adjacent housing (§ 17.24.020.A.2) .
• CG (Commercial General) — broad range of retail and service, tolerates higher traffic/intensity (§ 17.24.020.A.3) .
• IG (Industrial General) — manufacturing, R&D, high‑tech uses, with protections for adjacent residential (§ 17.24.020.A.4) .
  Typical permitted uses and permit requirements: Land uses and the type of permit required for each use (Permitted, Minor Conditional Use, Conditional Use, etc.) are laid out in the tables in Chapter 17.24 and Table 2‑5; the permit symbol keys (P, MC, C, etc.) are defined in § 17.24.030 and cross‑referenced to procedural chapters (§ 17.61) .
  Key development notes:
• Parking must comply with Chapter 17.46 (Parking and Loading) for all commercial/industrial uses; shared parking requires a Minor CUP (§ 17.46.050) .
• Specific plans (for example East Pasadena Specific Plan subzones) may create modified subdistrict labels (EPSP‑d1‑CL, EPSP‑d2‑IG, etc.) that change allowable uses and standards within their areas (§ 17.32.030) .

Special Purpose districts — OS, PD, PS

Purpose and special rules:

• OS (Open Space) — public open space uses; development may require Master Plan (§ 17.26.040) .
• PD (Planned Development) — applied to special development plans; PD districts set their own development plan and supersede inconsistent code provisions for that plan (example: PD‑39) (§ 17.26 and PD‑specific ordinances) .
• PS (Public/Semi‑Public) — institutional uses (schools, hospitals, etc.); development may require Master Plan or CUP per § 17.26.040 and follows special PD/PS rules . Key procedural items:
• The Planning Director may require a Master Plan for uses in OS and PS; until a Master Plan or Conditional Use Permit is approved properties default to the most restrictive abutting district standards (§ 17.26.040.A–B) .

Specific plan districts (examples)

• Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan (LASP) subdistricts such as LA‑CG, LA‑CL, LA‑CF, LA‑MU‑N, LA‑RM‑16, and a PS designation are established to implement a corridor vision; each LASP subdistrict has specific purposes and development standards in Chapter 17.37 (see § 17.37.030) . These specific plan districts often override or refine standard Chapter 17 requirements.

Overlay districts (selected examples)

Overlay districts modify base zoning where applied; the Zoning Map shows overlays and they may be combined with any base district (§ 17.20.020; Chapter 17.28) . Examples:

• HL‑1 (Height Limit) — establishes special height limits in multi‑family areas (§ 17.28.050) .
• HH (Hospitality Home) — allows hospitality homes in designated areas, usually with a Minor CUP requirement (§ 17.28.060) .
• IS (Interim Study) — temporary study overlay that requires discretionary review and expires per ordinance terms (§ 17.28.070) .
• Other overlays shown on Table 2‑1 include HD (Hillside Development), LD (Landmark), ND (Neighborhood), PK (Parking), WAH (Workforce/Affordable Housing), and specialty overlays — each established or described in Chapter 17.28 or specific sections (§ 17.20.020; Chapter 17.28) .

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant items

Checklist

• Confirm the parcel’s zoning on the adopted Zoning Map (§ 17.20.020) .
• Review the base‑district permitted uses and the permit type (P, MC, C, etc.) in the Article 2/3 land‑use tables (Chapter 17.24 et seq.) (§ 17.24.030) .
• Check applicable overlay districts and Specific Plan subareas that modify standards (Chapter 17.28; specific plan chapters such as § 17.32, § 17.33, § 17.37) .
• Verify numeric development standards (setbacks, height, FAR, lot coverage) in the district’s table in Article 2 and Article 4 (see § 17.22.040 / Table 2‑3) .
• Confirm on‑site parking requirements in Chapter 17.46 and whether shared parking or reductions require a Minor CUP (§ 17.46.050) .
• Determine whether design review is required (see § 17.61.030) and whether the project is within a Specific Plan or PD that requires Commission review (§ 17.37.030) .
• For OS or PS uses, confirm whether a Master Plan or Conditional Use Permit is required (§ 17.26.040) .
• For accessory units or accessory uses, review the applicable residential accessory sections (e.g., § 17.50.210, § 17.50.250) and consult Pasadena ADU guidance on local implementation; verify overlaps with state ADU law where relevant (§ 17.50 series — see related code references) .
• If the property is historic or within a landmark overlay, check the Landmark/Historic overlay requirements and consult Pasadena Historic Preservation guidance (§ 17.28 and related historic sections) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Pasadena’s Title 17 divides the city into standard zones (single‑family, multi‑family, commercial, industrial, and public) and many overlays and specific plans that modify the base rules; the Zoning Map (adopted with the code) controls which rules apply to your parcel, and most numeric details (setbacks, height, FAR, parking) are set in Article 2/4 tables or in specific plan chapters — always confirm the parcel’s zone, overlays, and any specific plan text before you design a project (§ 17.20.020; § 17.22; § 17.24; Chapter 17.28) .

Source References

• Pasadena Municipal Code — Title 17, Zoning Code (adoption, purpose, applicability): § 17.10.010; § 17.10.030 .
• Zoning Map and list of zoning districts (Table 2‑1): § 17.20.020 .
• Residential districts and development standards (RS / RM; front‑setback rules): § 17.22.040; § 17.22.050 .
• Commercial and Industrial districts (purposes, permit tables): § 17.24.010; § 17.24.020; § 17.24.030 .
• Special Purpose districts (OS, PD, PS; Master Plan rules): § 17.26.040 .
• Overlay district rules (e.g., HL‑1, HH, IS): Chapter 17.28; specifically § 17.28.050 (HL‑1) and § 17.28.060 (HH) .
• Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan (LASP) zoning districts and purposes: § 17.37.030 (LA‑CG, LA‑CL, LA‑CF, LA‑MU‑N, LA‑RM‑16, PS) .
• Parking and loading regulations (cross‑references to parking standards): Chapter 17.46 and shared parking rules § 17.46.050 .
• Design review requirements referenced in specific plan text and the Design Review Chapter: § 17.61.030; LASP design review note § 17.37.030.F.1 .
• Code source/export metadata: Title 17 — Zoning Code print export from municode (City of Pasadena Planning & Development Dept.) .

Information Gaps

• The uploaded material includes the code text and many chapter excerpts but does not reproduce every numeric table (for example the full Table 2‑3 residential numeric table and Table 2‑5 full land use tables) in a single consolidated place. For exact lot‑by‑lot numeric values (specific FAR, coverage, or a particular RS suffix numeric line item) the code tables and the official Zoning Map must be checked directly (§ 17.20.020; § 17.22.040) .
• The exact current Zoning Map graphic (PDF/image) as filed with the Department is not embedded here; the code states the map is on file with the Department (§ 17.20.020) — obtain the official map to confirm overlays and suffixes for a parcel .
• Local ADU implementation numeric worksheet and any recent ministerial ADU amendments are not fully reproduced; the code references accessory sections (e.g., § 17.50.210 / § 17.50.250) but local ADU practice may be separately summarized on the city ADU guidance page (Not found in retrieved materials). Verify with planning staff and the Pasadena ADU guidance page .

Retrieved passages

• Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Pasadena Zoning Code (Chapter 17.46) High relevance show source text
• Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 17.80.020.) High relevance show source text
• Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 17.40.150) High relevance show source text
• Pasadena Zoning Code (Title 17) High relevance show source text
• Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 5) High relevance show source text
• Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 17.40.060) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Pasadena Municipal Code — **Title 17, Zoning Code** (adoption, purpose, applicability): § 17.10.010; § 17.10.030 fileciteturn0file5turn0file18. (Title 17)
• Zoning Map and list of zoning districts (Table 2‑1): § 17.20.020 . (§ 17.20.020)
• Residential districts and development standards (RS / RM; front‑setback rules): § 17.22.040; § 17.22.050 fileciteturn0file12turn0file3. (§ 17.22.040)
• Commercial and Industrial districts (purposes, permit tables): § 17.24.010; § 17.24.020; § 17.24.030 fileciteturn0file10turn0file11. (§ 17.24.010)
• Special Purpose districts (OS, PD, PS; Master Plan rules): § 17.26.040 . (§ 17.26.040)
• Overlay district rules (e.g., HL‑1, HH, IS): Chapter 17.28; specifically § 17.28.050 (HL‑1) and § 17.28.060 (HH) . (Chapter 17.28)
• Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan (LASP) zoning districts and purposes: § 17.37.030 (LA‑CG, LA‑CL, LA‑CF, LA‑MU‑N, LA‑RM‑16, PS) . (§ 17.37.030)
• Parking and loading regulations (cross‑references to parking standards): Chapter 17.46 and shared parking rules § 17.46.050 fileciteturn0file2turn0file17. (Chapter 17.46)
• Design review requirements referenced in specific plan text and the Design Review Chapter: § 17.61.030; LASP design review note § 17.37.030.F.1 fileciteturn0file3turn0file0. (§ 17.61.030)
• Code source/export metadata: Title 17 — Zoning Code print export from municode (City of Pasadena Planning & Development Dept.) . (Title 17)
• Pasadena_ZoningCode.md

• Official Pasadena code library