Pasadena · Zoning · CL
Pasadena CL zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Pasadena's CL zone, buildings can be up to 36 ft tall and the front setback is 5 ft (Pasadena code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 36 ft
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft (next to an RS, RM-12, RM-16, RM-32 or RM-48 zone, and the building stays out of the encroachment plane; see below for other lots)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft (next to an RS, RM-12, RM-16, RM-32 or RM-48 zone, and the building stays out of the encroachment plane; see below for other lots)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.70
CL is a zoning district in Pasadena. Every value below was read from the Pasadena 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 CL
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 | 36 ft See note 3 below the table in the code. § 17.24.040 · code textTable row “Height limit”, column “CL”: 36 ft (3) Note 3: Limited to 36 feet in height and two stories if abutting an RS or RM-12 district. In the CL district, a third story may be allowed to accommodate only if housing is not abutting an RS or RM-12 District. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 5 ft See notes 4, 5 below the table in the code. § 17.24.040 · code textTable row “Front”, column “CL”: 5 ft (4) (5) Note 4: A building proposed as an infill project may be allowed no setback through the Design Review process if the review authority determines that a reduced front and/or corner setback would allow the proposed structure to match the established building placement pattern of the block. Note 5: The setback requirements for a project with more than 25,000 square feet of floor area shall be determined as part of the Conditional Use Permit approval for the project. |
| Minimum side setback | 15 ft Applies: next to an RS, RM-12, RM-16, RM-32 or RM-48 zone, and the building stays out of the encroachment plane; see below for other lots § 17.24.040 · code textTable row “Sides (each)”, column “CL”: 15 ft and shall not project within the encroachment plane (17.40.160.D.2) when adjacent to an RS or RM-12 zone or the encroachment plane (17.40.160.D.3) when adjacent to an RM-16, RM-32,or RM-48 zone unless the adjacent lot is a PK overlay which is used for parking; none required otherwise except 10 ft for the CO zone. |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft Applies: next to an RS, RM-12, RM-16, RM-32 or RM-48 zone, and the building stays out of the encroachment plane; see below for other lots § 17.24.040 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “CL”: 15 ft and shall not project within the encroachment plane (17.40.160.D.2) when adjacent to an RS or RM-12 zone or the encroachment plane (17.40.160.D.3) when adjacent to an RM-16, RM-32,or RM-48 zone unless the adjacent lot is a PK overlay which is used for parking; none required otherwise except 10 ft for the CO zone. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.70 See note 6 below the table in the code. § 17.24.040 · code textTable row “Floor area ratio (FAR)”, column “CL”: 0.70 (6) Note 6: FAR is 1.0 for CL-2 zoned parcels located south of East California Boulevard, between South Hudson Avenue and South Mentor Avenue. |
Uses in CL
Uses the code's use tables allow in CL, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Single-family home — Allowed — see note
- Bed and breakfast — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
- Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CL:
- Minimum side setback: None required — not next to an RS, RM-12, RM-16, RM-32 or RM-48 zone § 17.24.040
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.0 — CL-2 zoned parcels located south of East California Boulevard, between South Hudson Avenue and South Mentor Avenue § 17.24.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot size, lot coverage, density limit for CL in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Pasadena Municipal Code.
Other Pasadena zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Pasadena's CL zone?
36 ft — Pasadena Municipal Code § 17.24.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Pasadena's CL zone?
5 ft — Pasadena Municipal Code § 17.24.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Pasadena's CL zone?
15 ft (next to an RS, RM-12, RM-16, RM-32 or RM-48 zone, and the building stays out of the encroachment plane; see below for other lots) — Pasadena Municipal Code § 17.24.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Pasadena's CL zone?
15 ft (next to an RS, RM-12, RM-16, RM-32 or RM-48 zone, and the building stays out of the encroachment plane; see below for other lots) — Pasadena Municipal Code § 17.24.040.
What is the maximum floor area ratio (far) in Pasadena's CL zone?
0.70 — Pasadena Municipal Code § 17.24.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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