Local zoning · Pomona

Pomona — Development Standards

Q: What are Pomona height limits for low‑rise housing?

Low‑rise Form Modules such as LM1/LM2/LM3 typically limit height to 2.5–3 stories and around 32–42 feet depending on the module; the exact controlling number is listed on the Form Module (see Sec. 330 for low‑rise modules and Sec. 390 for measurement) (§ 330.A–C; § 390) .

Development Standards under the Pomona local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Pomona Zoning & Development Code requires about objective development standards — setbacks, height, lot/building coverage, impervious coverage, and related form rules — and where to find the controlling rules. The Code is organized around Form Modules (house/low‑rise/mid‑rise/broad/special) that are paired with zoning districts (for example, RND1, NED2, UND3, ACD1) and Use Modules; the Form Modules set the primary dimensional rules (height, setbacks, coverage). See the citywide zoning summary for how Form Modules map to districts and uses. § citations below point to the Code locations; the underlying ordinance text is on file with the City (citations provided).

How Pomona organizes development standards (quick)

Objective form rules live in the Form Modules (Subpart 3B). Each Form Module (for example, HN1, HB1, LM1, LM2, LM3, MM1, MB1, S1) contains the dimensional standards for lots and buildings: height (stories/feet), primary/side/rear/alley setbacks, building width limits, and coverage limits (§ 320, § 330, § 340, § 350; see § 390 for measurement rules) .
Allowed uses are controlled by Use Modules (Subpart 5B) and summarized on each district’s bracketed mapping in Part 2 (e.g., R1, CX, MU, IX use modules) — a project must comply with both the Form Module and the applied Use Module (§ 500 et seq.; Part 2 district summaries) .
Site rules (parking, buffers, landscaping, trash, signage) are separate objective rules in Part 6; they apply in addition to Form Module standards (see parking and landscaping links below) .

(First time mention links: see Pomona Zoning & Planning overview and specific pages for parking, overlays, ADUs, design review, landscaping and other topics used below: Pomona zoning & planning overview, Pomona Zoning, Pomona Parking, Pomona Overlay Districts, Pomona ADUs, Pomona Design Review, Pomona Landscaping and Screening, California Building Standards Code, Pomona Variances and Exceptions, Pomona Nonconforming Uses.)

District-by-district breakdown (Form Module → key standards)

Below are the most decision‑relevant Form Modules and the common district labels that apply them. Each subsection names the applied district (the two‑letter or three‑letter district code shown in the Code’s district bracket), summarizes intent/typical uses, and lists the key dimensional numbers you will use when designing or checking compliance. All requirements below are objective Code standards; citations point to the controlling Subparts/Sections.

Notes on reading the numbers: the Code commonly reports height as "stories/feet" (for example, 3/42' = up to 3 stories or 42 feet). Where the Form Module defers to other Parts or an Alternate Typology, the Code text indicates that; see the cited § for exceptions or site‑specific adjustments. For use permissions, see the Use Modules and the district mapping in Part 2 and Sec. 520 (Allowed Uses) .

Residential Neighborhood Districts (RND) — overview

Purpose / typical uses: house‑scale and low‑rise residential (single family, duplex, small multi‑unit), limited accessory nonresidential uses; mapped to Form Modules such as HM1, HN1, HB1, LM1 depending on the RND subdistrict (RND1–RND5) (§ 200; Part 2 summary) .
Controls to check first: applied Form Module (height, setbacks, coverage), Use Module (R1 for most RNDs), and site rules in Part 6. See § 320 (house modules) and § 370 (coverage/setback rules) .

Subdistrict examples (use the Form Module for exact numbers):

RND2 — House Narrow 1 (HN1)
- Intent: narrow-house, shallow front yards, small‑lot house types. Typical primary uses: residential (R1 Use Module) (§ 320.A; district summary) .
- Key standards (Form HN1): max height 2.5 stories / 32 ft, impervious coverage max 75%, building coverage max 45%, setbacks primary street 5 ft; side street 5 ft; side 0 ft or 5 ft; rear 5 ft (measure per § 1200 measurement rules) (§ 320.A; § 370; § 390) .
RND4 — House Broad 1 (HB1)
- Intent: wider house footprints, typical single‑family yards; residential primary uses (R1) (§ 320.D; district summary) .
- Key standards (Form HB1): max height 2.5 stories / 32 ft, impervious coverage max 70%, building coverage max 45%, setbacks primary street 15 ft; side street 10 ft; side 5 ft; rear 15 ft (§ 320.D; § 370) .

Neighborhood Edge Districts (NED) — transitional

Purpose / typical uses: medium‑scale housing and small‑scale commercial transition to lower intensity neighborhoods; mapped to Form Modules like LM2, HN2, etc. See Part 2 for NED1–NED5 mappings (§ 200.C) .
Example: NED1 (LM2) — Form LM2 typical standards: max height 3 stories / 42 ft, impervious coverage max 70%, building coverage max 65%, setbacks primary street 5 ft; side street 5 ft; side 0' or 5'; rear 20 ft (§ 330.B; § 370; § 390) .

Urban Neighborhood Districts (UND) — medium intensity

Purpose / typical uses: low‑rise mixed residential/commercial; mapped to LM3 in many UND districts; Use Modules vary (MU1, G1, CX1) (§ 200.D; district summary) .
Typical Form LM3: max height 3 stories / 42 ft, impervious coverage max 70%, building coverage max 65%, setbacks primary street 0–5 ft depending on frontage type; side 0' or 5'; rear 20 ft (§ 330.C; § 370) .

Activity Center Districts (ACD) — higher intensity/commercial

Purpose / typical uses: mid‑rise mixed use, retail and larger commercial with vertical mixing of uses; maps to Form Modules MM1, MB1 and Use Modules such as CX4 or SH1 (§ 200.E; Part 2) .
Example: ACD1 (MM1) — Form MM1 typical standards: mid‑rise up to 6 stories / 82 ft in many mid‑rise modules (check applied module), impervious coverage 80%, building coverage up to 75%, primary street setback commonly 0 ft for active frontages (§ 340.A; § 370; § 390) .

Workplace Districts (WD) and Industrial (IX) — employment / light industrial

Purpose: clean manufacturing, industrial, and indoor production uses with limited outdoor storage (IX use modules exist). The Form Modules allow larger buildings and higher stories (up to 6 stories in some workplace mappings) (§ 200.G; Part 2, Use Module rules) .
Check: outdoor storage standards and screening are in Part 5; impervious/coverage and building form in the applied Form Module (§ 5 and § 6) .

Special Campus Districts (SCD) and Parkland (PLD)

Purpose: institutional/campus and parks — special form modules S1, S2 allow taller buildings (e.g., for Cal Poly Pomona and Civic Center) (see § 350 and Part 2 district descriptions) .
Example: SCD1 (S2): allows up to 8 stories for campus uses; specific height limits and allowable forms are set in the special form module and the district bracket (§ 350.B; Part 2) .

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant standards

District / Form Module	Typical permitted primary uses	Max height (stories/ft)	Typical setbacks (primary / side / rear)	Max building/impervious coverage	Code Reference
RND2 — HN1	Residential (R1)	2.5 / 32'	Primary 5' / Side 0' or 5' / Rear 5'	Building 45% / Imperv. 75%	§ 320.A; § 370; § 390
RND4 — HB1	Residential (R1)	2.5 / 32'	Primary 15' / Side 5' / Rear 15'	Building 45% / Imperv. 70%	§ 320.D; § 370
NED1 — LM2	Mixed residential / small commercial	3 / 42'	Primary 5' / Side 0' or 5' / Rear 20'	Building 65% / Imperv. 70%	§ 330.B; § 370; § 390
UND1 — LM3	Low‑rise mixed	3 / 42'	Primary 0–5' / Side 0' or 5' / Rear 20'	Building 65% / Imperv. 70%	§ 330.C; § 370
ACD1 — MM1	Mid‑rise mixed (retail + housing)	Up to 6 / 82' (module dependent)	Often 0' at primary frontage	Building ≤75% / Imperv. ≤80%	§ 340.A; § 370; § 390
SCD1 — S2	Institutional campus (Cal Poly Pomona)	Up to 8 stories (S2)	See special form module	Higher coverage allowed per SCD	§ 350.B; Part 2 district summary

Always confirm the applied district’s bracketed mapping (Form Module + Frontage Module + Use Module) shown in Part 2 to find which Form Module numbers control a given parcel (Part 2 district summaries) .

How the Code measures and enforces these rules

Setbacks and coverage are measured per Sec. 370 (Building Setbacks, Building Coverage, Impervious Coverage); measurement details (e.g., how to find rear lot line on gore‑shaped lots, projection rules for eaves) are in that same Subpart (§ 370.C and § 370.B) .
Building height, stories, and measurement rules appear in Sec. 390 (Building); Form Modules list the applicable "max stories/feet" number used to evaluate height limits (§ 390.A) .
Nonconforming properties and how additions are treated are in Sec. 11100 (Nonconformities); limited relief rules and the ability to add behind setbacks are in that section (§ 11100) .
Variances, exceptions and administrative relief follow the Code’s administration Part (see Sec. 1160.F Variance and Sec. 1170 Administrative Review/Alternative Compliance) — use these only when objective standards cannot be met (§ 1160, § 1170) .

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (objective items)

Confirm the parcel’s applied zoning district and the bracketed Form Module / Frontage Module / Use Module in Part 2 (e.g., RND2 — HN1 — N2 — R1) and document them (§ 200; Part 2) .
Apply the Form Module dimensional standards (height, building/impervious coverage, primary/side/rear/alley setbacks) from the applicable Sec. 320 / 330 / 340 / 350 and Sec. 370 & 390 (§ 320–350; § 370; § 390) .
Confirm allowed uses under the Use Module (Sec. 520 Allowed Uses) and whether proposed uses are permitted, accessory, or conditional (§ 520; Part 5 summary) .
Meet Part 6 site rules: parking and access (see Pomona’s parking page), landscaping/buffers and trash/solid waste enclosure standards (§ 600–640) .
If proposing an ADU, confirm ADU standards and state ADU limits; local ADU provisions are in Sec. 830 and must also align with state ADU law (see ADU page and California rules) (§ 830; Gov. Code cross‑refs noted in Code) .
Where exceptions, variances, or alternative compliance are needed, prepare findings and documentation per Sec. 1160 and Sec. 1170 (administrative vs. discretionary paths) .
Check overlay districts or Specific Plan rules that may add or override standards (see Overlay Districts) .
Determine whether design review is required for the district/frontage type and submit elevations per the Design Review page if required (verify with the Planning Division) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Applied Form Module vs. perceived “zone”	The city's rules are form‑based: two parcels that look similar may have different Form Modules (HN1 vs LM1) with different standards. Misreading the applied module can lead to noncompliance.	Verify the district bracket mapping in Part 2 for your parcel (district mapping shows Form Module + Frontage + Use) and cite that bracket in application (§ Part 2 summary) .
Height measured as stories/feet and roof pitch exceptions	The Code limits both stories and feet; eave projections and certain upper‑story setback rules can change allowed building massing.	Confirm which measurement (stories and feet) controls; check § 390 measurement rules and any upper‑story setback (transition buffer) triggers in Part 6 (§ 390.A; transition buffer rules) .
ADU local standards vs. State ADU law	State ADU law limits what local standards can do; local ADU rules may still require setbacks and ADU dimensional rules but cannot unreasonably restrict 800 sq ft units (§ 66321).	Consult Sec. 830 (Accessory Dwelling Units) and the Code’s ADU references, and cross‑check with state ADU rules; the Code cites state code limits (verify with the jurisdiction) .
Overlay or Specific Plan overrides	An Overlay (for example Fairplex, historic overlays) can supersede Form Module specs or add standards (e.g., height limits, historic review).	Check whether the parcel is inside an overlay or Specific Plan; if so, read the overlay Sec. and map (Overlay Districts) and confirm which standard controls (§ 700.D; Overlay Districts) .
Nonconformities and additions	Existing nonconforming setbacks or heights may limit the scope of additions permitted without discretionary approval.	See § 11100 Nonconformities for limits on additions and required compliance steps; verify whether the property is nonconforming before designing additions (§ 11100) .

Plain‑English summary

Pomona’s zoning rules use Form Modules (like HN1, LM2, MM1) that tell you exactly how tall a building can be, how close it sits to lot lines, and how much of the lot can be covered. To check what you can build: confirm the parcel’s district bracket (Form Module + Use Module), apply the Form Module’s height, setback, and coverage numbers, then meet the separate site rules for parking, landscaping, and buffers; if something doesn’t fit you must pursue the specific variance/alternative compliance routes in the Code. See the cited sections below for the exact numbers and measurement rules (§ 320–350; § 370; § 390; § 500–640) .

Source References

Pomona Zoning & Development Code, SuBPart 3B Form Modules (includes Sec. 320, Sec. 330, Sec. 340, Sec. 350) — Form module standards and module listings § 320–350 .
Pomona Zoning & Development Code, Coverage and Setbacks: Sec. 370 (Building Coverage, Impervious Coverage, Building Setbacks) — measurement and allowed encroachments § 370.C and § 370.B .
Pomona Zoning & Development Code, Building rules: Sec. 390 (Building Height and measurement rules) — height definitions and measurement § 390.A .
Pomona Zoning & Development Code, Part 2 — Summary of Zoning Districts and the bracketed mapping (district → Form Module / Frontage / Use) (RND, NED, UND, ACD, WD, SCD descriptions) — Part 2 district summaries § 200; district summaries in Part 2 .
Pomona Zoning & Development Code, Part 5 (Use Modules) and Sec. 520 (Allowed Uses) — use permissions and accessory use rules § 500–550; § 520 for allowed uses .
Pomona Zoning & Development Code, Part 6 (Site rules) — parking/access, landscaping, screening, buffers and trash enclosures (see Sec. 610–640) .
Pomona Zoning & Development Code, Sec. 11100 (Nonconformities) — rules for additions to nonconforming structures and relief .
Pomona Zoning & Development Code, Sec. 1160 / 1170 (Variance, Administrative Review / Alternative Compliance) — procedures for relief/variances when objective standards cannot be met .
State ADU guidance and limits summarized in the uploaded California ADU handbook (state law cross‑references cited in the Code) — see state ADU rules and how they constrain local ADU standards .
For building code (plans & construction), see the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) — referenced by the Code for building‑safety requirements California Building Standards Code.

Sources

Retrieved passages

CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) High relevance
Pomona Zoning Code High relevance
Pomona Zoning Code High relevance
Pomona Zoning Code High relevance
Pomona Zoning Code High relevance
Pomona Zoning Code High relevance
Pomona Zoning Code (section must) High relevance
Pomona Zoning Code (§ 66317) High relevance
Pomona Zoning Code High relevance
Pomona Zoning Code High relevance
Pomona Zoning Code High relevance
Pomona Zoning Code Medium relevance
Pomona Zoning Code Medium relevance
Pomona Zoning Code Medium relevance
Pomona Zoning Code Medium relevance
Pomona Zoning Code (Title 7) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Pomona code library

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R-1 lot in Pomona?

R‑1 (the common Residential Use Module applied to many Residential Neighborhood Districts) allows house‑scale residential uses and limited accessory uses; the parcel’s applied Form Module (for example HN1, HB1, or LM1) sets height, setbacks and coverage that physically constrain what you can build — check the district bracket in Part 2 and the Form Module standards in § 320/§ 330/§ 370/§ 390 to confirm exact numbers (§ 320–350; § 370; § 390) .

What are Pomona setback requirements?

Setbacks are set by the applied Form Module and measured per Sec. 370 (Building Setbacks). Typical examples: HN1 (house narrow) primary 5 ft, side 0–5 ft, rear 5 ft; HB1 (house broad) primary 15 ft, side 5 ft, rear 15 ft. Always use the parcel’s Form Module for the controlling numbers (§ 370.C; § 320.D; § 320.A) .

What are Pomona height limits for low‑rise housing?

Low‑rise Form Modules such as LM1/LM2/LM3 typically limit height to 2.5–3 stories and around 32–42 feet depending on the module; the exact controlling number is listed on the Form Module (see Sec. 330 for low‑rise modules and Sec. 390 for measurement) (§ 330.A–C; § 390) .

Do I need design review for a new project in Pomona?

Whether design review is required depends on the district bracket, frontage type, and project activity; some districts and frontage modules require design or façade-level review. Confirm with the Planning Division and the Code’s design review rules (district summaries and design review standards) — check the district bracket in Part 2 and applicable design review provisions (see Design Review guidance) .

Can I add an ADU and what setbacks apply?

ADUs are allowed per local ADU rules (Sec. 830) and must also comply with state ADU law; local standards may set setbacks but cannot unreasonably prohibit at least an 800 sq ft ADU with 4‑ft side/rear setbacks under state law. See Sec. 830 and the Code’s ADU cross‑references; verify with the City because the Code applies both local and state constraints (§ 830; state ADU citations in Code) .

What if my lot is nonconforming to current setbacks?

Sec. 11100 explains how nonconforming setbacks are treated: limited additions are permitted in the nonconforming setback under strict conditions (additions must not extend further into setback or must meet percentage limits); check § 11100 before designing additions (§ 11100 Nonconformities) .

How is lot coverage / impervious surface calculated?

The Code defines impervious coverage and building coverage in Sec. 370.A and 370.B; impervious coverage is the percentage of lot area covered by impervious surfaces (roads, roofed structures, flatwork, equipment), and building coverage excludes small architectural projections under specified distances — use the formula and exclusions in § 370 to compute compliance (§ 370.A/370.B) .

Can overlays change the development standards on my site?

Yes. Overlay Districts and Specific Plans can add or override Form Module standards (Sec. 700.D explains the relationship). Always check whether your parcel lies within an overlay — the overlay rules may change height, setbacks, or add historic or Fairplex‑specific rules (§ 700.D; Overlay Districts) .

Where do I find the allowed uses for a given district?

Allowed uses are in the Use Modules (Subpart 5B) and Sec. 520 (Allowed Uses). Part 2 district brackets show which Use Module applies to each district (for example R1, CX1, MU1) — check the district bracket in Part 2 and then Sec. 520 for the specific Use Module rules (§ 500–550; Sec. 520) .

Are there special buffer/setback requirements next to lower intensity neighbors?

Yes. Part 6 contains Transition Buffer types (e.g., Buffer Types I–V) with required buffer depths, wall heights, and upper‑story setbacks for transitions from more intense uses to residential neighborhoods — see Part 6, Transition Buffers and measurement rules in Sec. 370 for how to measure upper‑story setbacks (§ 6, Transition Buffers; § 370) . ---

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