Local zoning · Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach — Land Use

Land Use under the Redondo Beach local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Redondo Beach’s land-use rules are codified in the City’s Planning & Zoning chapters of the Municipal Code (zoning districts, use tables, and development standards are in the sections shown below). The ordinance organizes uses by zone using “P” (permitted) and “C” (conditional/permit-required) entries in zone-specific land‑use schedules, and then layers zone-specific development standards (FAR, height, setbacks) and overlay rules on top of the base zoning. See the City’s zoning summary for where to start and the detailed development standards for dimensional requirements.

(Links: first mention of each topic below)

How the code regulates land use (quick mechanics)

  • Uses are shown in zone-specific land‑use schedules where P = permitted and C = permitted only with a Conditional Use Permit; if a use is not listed it is not permitted in that zone. See the repeated introductory note to the schedules (for example in the industrial and multiple-family tables) describing the P/C notation. § 10-2.1010, § 10-5.511.
  • Many zones contain “additional regulations” that modify where certain uses can be located (for example offices on ground floor vs upper floors in pedestrian corridors, or size caps such as 30,000 sq ft triggers). See zone-specific “additional land use regulations.” § 10-2.631, § 10-2.911.
  • Overlays (Affordable Housing Overlay, IF, Riviera Village, Coastal Commercial) add or change allowed uses, density, height, or processing (see AHO and IF examples). § 10-2.1438, § 10-2.1456.
  • Where a use is listed as “C” the developer must follow the Conditional Use Permit criteria and any design review called for by the zone (see CUP and design-review provisions). See the CUP procedures and design‑review cross references in the land‑use schedules. § 10-2.2506 (CUP procedures referenced throughout). Not found in retrieved materials: a single consolidated “use table” graphic in full text; table fragments are in each zone section.

District-by-district breakdown (purpose, typical permitted uses, key dimensional standards, where it applies)

Note: every district name below is shown exactly as in the Code and the bold numbers reference the controlling development‑standards section for that district.

R-1 / R-1A (Single-Family Residential)

  • Purpose: Provide areas for single‑family dwellings and protect neighborhood character. § 10-2.500.
  • Typical permitted uses: single‑family residential (P); home occupations (P); certain institutional uses such as churches, day care, and small public utilities typically listed as conditional (C) in the R‑1 schedule. § 10-5.501 / use table.
  • Key dimensional standards: maximum height 30 ft, maximum stories 2, FAR 0.65 (with limited FAR bonuses up to 0.15 for qualifying design elements; cumulative cap 0.80). § 10-5.503.
  • Where applies: City single‑family neighborhoods; R‑1A includes some modified lot/parking allowances (see R‑1A specifics). § 10-2.500 – § 10-5.503.

R-2 / R-3 / R-3A / RMD / RH (Multiple-Family Residential)

  • Purpose: Accommodate multi‑family housing at graduated densities and allow related community uses. § 10-2.510.
  • Typical permitted uses: multi‑family residential (P for allowed ranges); family day care (P), residential care (P), home occupations (P); larger multi‑unit projects (over zone thresholds) often require CUP or design review (C for 16+ units in some zones). § 10-5.511, § 10-5.513.
  • Key dimensional standards: Vary by zone — examples: R-2: front setback average 20 ft (min 15 ft), height 30 ft, side setbacks 5 ft with frontage-based adjustments; RH‑3 density/lot area rules define permitted units per net acre and maximum height allowances. § 10-2.513, § 10-5.519.
  • Where applies: City multi‑family neighborhoods; see the zone map in zoning overview. Redondo Beach Zoning

MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, MU-3A, MU-3B, MU-3C (Mixed-Use)

  • Purpose: Create pedestrian‑oriented corridors where residential and commercial uses mix with rules to protect pedestrian character. § 10-2.911.
  • Typical permitted uses: Ground‑floor commercial retail, services, restaurants (subject to size and frontage rules); residential generally allowed above the ground floor, with important exceptions (e.g., MU‑1 may allow exclusively residential where entire block frontage is residential; MU‑3A allows residential behind street‑front commercial or above ground‑floor parking). § 10-2.911(b).
  • Key dimensional standards and use caps: Uses > 30,000 sq ft are generally prohibited unless approved under CUP and designed to be pedestrian‑oriented; offices limited to certain percentages of street frontage in mixed‑use zones. § 10-2.911(c–d).
  • Where applies: Mixed-use corridors and specified plan areas (e.g., Artesia & Aviation Corridors, Riviera Village overlay). § 10-2.911.

C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5A (Commercial / Pedestrian‑Oriented Commercial)

  • Purpose: Provide neighborhood and regional commercial services while protecting corridor pedestrian character. § 10-2.600 et seq. (see specific zone sections).
  • Typical permitted uses: Retail, restaurants (size‑limited or with administrative/CUP triggers), offices (often limited to upper floors or rear ground-floor locations in pedestrian areas), personal services, and public/commercial support uses. Specific allowances and prohibitions (e.g., offices only above ground floor in some subzones) are in each zone’s “additional regulations.” § 10-2.631, § 10-2.611.
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • C‑3: FAR 0.7, height 30 ft, max 2 stories; front setback 5 ft, expanded side/rear setbacks where adjacent to residential. § 10-2.632.
    • C‑4: FAR 1.0, height 45 ft, max 3 stories; front setback 5 ft (with residential adjacency rules). § 10-2.642.
    • C‑1: FAR 0.35, height 30 ft, max 2 stories. § 10-2.612.
  • Where applies: Commercial corridors, including pedestrian zones (C‑PD variants) and coastal commercial zones (CC). See zone lists. § 10-2.300, § 10-5.600.

CC‑1 … CC‑5 (Coastal Commercial)

  • Purpose: Visitor‑serving, beach/coastal‑fronting commercial uses with special rules for pedestrian and coastal access. § 10-5.800 – § 10-5.811.
  • Typical permitted uses: Visitor‑serving retail, limited restaurants, marine/visitor services; some uses prohibited (offices limited in certain CC subzones). § 10-5.811(a).
  • Key standards: Offices are restricted on certain portions of the boardwalk/Pier and upper‑story requirements vary by CC subzone; hotels and overnight accommodations are subject to CUP and special criteria to keep visitor‑serving character. § 10-5.811.

I‑1 / I‑1A / I‑1B / I‑2 / I‑2A / IC‑1 (Industrial & Industrial‑Commercial)

  • Purpose: Preserve light industrial, production, incubator spaces and compatible commercial support while protecting nearby residential areas. § 10-2.1010.
  • Typical permitted uses: Manufacturing, laboratories, tech/incubator workplaces, limited professional office uses (subject to the industrial use tables). Some heavy industrial, vehicle sales, truck terminals, recycling, or motor‑vehicle intensive uses are prohibited or CUP‑only in particular industrial subzones. § 10-2.1010 and specific I‑zone text.
  • Key dimensional standards: Industrial zones generally follow underlying lot and building standards in the Code; overlay exceptions (IC‑1, IF) and CUP requirements are common for special uses. See § 10-2.1010 and § 10-2.1456.

P Zones (Public & Institutional) — example: P‑CIV Civic Center

  • Purpose: Site public buildings, parks, civic uses; flexible development standards for public uses. § 10-5.1100.
  • Typical permitted uses: Parks, schools, civic buildings (P); many public uses may still require CUP depending on scope. § 10-5.1110.
  • Key dimensional standards: Example P‑CIV: FAR 1.25, height 45 ft, max 3 stories, with specific setback rules for particular adjoining streets (Pacific Coast Hwy, Broadway, etc.). § 10-5.1112.

Overlay zones — illustrative examples

  • Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO): Alters allowed residential densities, permits 100% residential on specified Housing Element sites, sets maximum FAR and site‑specific heights (North Tech, South Bay, Kingsdale, etc.). § 10-2.1438, § 10-2.1444.
  • IF overlay: Allows variation from base zone standards by Planning Commission Design Review to implement industrial-flex objectives; underlying standards otherwise apply. § 10-2.1456.
  • Riviera Village overlay changes pedestrian rules in certain C zones (see §§ noted in respective C‑zone sections). § 10-2.631 / § 10-5.631.

Quick reference table — selected decision-relevant standards and permitted uses

Zone / Topic Typical permitted / conditional uses Key numeric standards Code reference
R‑1 Single‑family (P), home occupations (P); churches/day care (C) Height 30 ft, FAR 0.65 (bonuses up to 0.15) § 10-5.503
R‑2 Low‑density multi‑family (P); up to a specified units/lot Height 30 ft, front setback average 20 ft § 10-2.513
C‑3 Retail, services; offices often limited to upper floors FAR 0.7, Height 30 ft, 2 stories § 10-2.632
C‑4 Larger corridor commercial FAR 1.0, Height 45 ft, 3 stories § 10-2.642
MU‑3 / MU‑1 Mixed retail + residential (residential typically above GF) Uses > 30,000 sq ft generally prohibited except CUP § 10-2.911(c)
AHO overlay Increased residential by site, 100% residential permitted on some Housing Element sites Site‑specific max heights (e.g., up to 90 ft for North Tech), cluster max units § 10-2.1444
CUP trigger Use listed as “C” in zone tables or special uses (service stations, smoke shops, large restaurants, etc.) CUP processed under CUP rules; may require Design Review Land use tables and § 10-2.2506 (CUP procedures referenced across schedules)

Checklist — what an applicant must verify before submitting a land‑use application

  • Confirm the property’s precise base zone (e.g., R‑1, C‑3, MU‑3) on the City zoning map. § 10-2.300.
  • Consult the zone’s land‑use schedule to see whether the proposed use is P or C (P = allowed, C = Conditional Use Permit required). § 10-2.1010 and zone tables (multiple places).
  • If use is C, prepare a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application responding to CUP criteria and required findings (CUP procedures cited in the schedules). § 10-2.2506 referenced in use tables. Not found in retrieved materials: the full text of § 10‑2.2506 in these snippets — verify with the jurisdiction.
  • Check whether Design Review is required (many multi‑unit or commercial changes require Planning Commission or Administrative Design Review). § 10-2.2502 / § 10-2.2504 referenced in zone text.
  • Verify dimensional standards (FAR, height, stories, setbacks) in the zone’s development‑standards section (e.g., § 10-2.632 for C‑3). § 10-2.632, § 10-5.503, § 10-2.1444 for AHO.
  • Review overlay rules that might change allowed uses, density or processing (AHO, IF, Riviera Village, Coastal). § 10-2.1438, § 10-2.1456.
  • Confirm parking requirements and whether reductions or shared parking are allowed; consult the City’s parking chapter. Redondo Beach Parking
  • For residential projects, check ADU rules and state ADU law interactions. Redondo Beach ADUs — see § 10-5.1506 for local ADU cross reference.
  • If in the coastal zone or within CC overlays, check Coastal Development Permit needs (coastal provisions are referenced in multiple development-standards sections). Article 10 cross references appear in several zone sections (e.g., § 10-5.1112).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Use not listed in the zone table If a use is not listed it is not permitted — proposing it can lead to denial. Confirm the specific zone schedule for the parcel; if absent, verify whether a similar use classification exists or request a zoning interpretation. § 10-2.1010.
Overlay modifies base rules Overlays (AHO, IF, Riviera Village) can change density, height, or use allowances. Check overlay designation that applies to the parcel (e.g., AHO site tables and limits). § 10-2.1444 / § 10-2.1438.
“P” vs “C” entries across different zone lists Some uses are “P” in one commercial subzone and “C” or prohibited in another — inconsistent expectations cause processing surprises. Read the exact zone schedule (C‑2 vs C‑3 vs CC, etc.) that applies to the parcel. Multiple zone schedules.
Parcel‑specific nonconforming or historic issues Existing nonconforming uses or historic preservation overlays can limit changes. Check the Nonconforming Uses article and Historic Preservation overlay sections; Verify with Community Development. Redondo Beach Nonconforming Uses Redondo Beach Historic Preservation Not all section text present in retrieved snippets — Verify with the jurisdiction.
Administrative design/deviation allowances Some standards (setbacks, FAR) may be modified via Design Review; other times modifications require formal CUP or modification procedures. Determine whether Planning Commission Design Review or Administrative Design Review applies for your project and the applicable modification standards. § 10-2.2502 / § 10-2.2504 referenced throughout. Not found in retrieved materials: the full modification/variance criteria text — Verify with the jurisdiction.

Plain-English Summary

Redondo Beach’s zoning code lists what you can and can’t do parcel‑by‑parcel by placing each property into a named zone (R‑1, C‑3, MU‑3, I‑1, etc.), showing allowed uses in a “P/C” table, and then applying that zone’s numeric rules for height, setbacks and FAR; overlays and CUP/design‑review procedures add site‑specific requirements. Always check the exact zone schedule and any overlays for the parcel: if a use is marked “C” you’ll need a Conditional Use Permit and often design review. § 10-2.1010, § 10-2.632, § 10-2.911.

Source References

  • Land‑use schedule mechanics and notation (P vs C): § 10-2.1010. — Redondo Beach Municipal Code (Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/RE4995).
  • Mixed‑use additional rules (residential location, 30,000 sf cap, frontage rules): § 10-2.911, § 10-2.912.
  • C‑3 development standards (FAR, height, setbacks): § 10-2.632.
  • C‑4 development standards (FAR 1.0, height 45 ft): § 10-2.642.
  • R‑1 development standards (FAR, height, bonuses): § 10-5.503.
  • R‑2 development standards and setbacks: § 10-2.513.
  • AHO (Affordable Housing Overlay) site tables, FAR, and heights: § 10-2.1438, § 10-2.1444.
  • Industrial zone use policies and limitations: § 10-2.1010.
  • Public and institutional zones (P‑CIV example): § 10-5.1112.
  • Use‑table excerpts and coastal commercial rules: § 10-5.811.
  • Urban lot split, ADU cross‑references and accessory dwelling rules references: § 10-1.1508, § 10-5.1506 (ADU cross references).

If you want the single most useful next step: identify the parcel (APN) and I can extract the exact zone, overlays, and the specific zone table entries that apply and list the precise CUP/design‑review triggers for that parcel. Verify all parcel‑specific facts with the City of Redondo Beach Community Development Department.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (§ 10-2.911) High relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (§ 7) High relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (§ 8) High relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (Section 10-2.1011.) High relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (Section 10-5506) High relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (§ 7) High relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (§ 10-2.1526.) High relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (§ 10-2.643.) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 10 (Article 15) Medium relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (Section 10-5.1510) Medium relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (§ 10-2.610) Medium relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (§ 10-5.513) Medium relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (§ 10-5.511) Medium relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (§ 10-2.513) Medium relevance
  • Redondo Beach Zoning Code (Section 10-5.2506.) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

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

You may build a single‑family dwelling as the primary permitted use; accessory uses allowed by the R‑1 schedule include home occupations and limited community uses (others are conditional). Dimensional limits include height 30 ft, max 2 stories, and FAR 0.65 (with specific bonuses up to 0.15). See § 10-5.503 for the development standards and the R‑1 land‑use table in § 10-5.501.

What are Redondo Beach setback requirements for commercial zones like C‑3 and C‑4?

Minimum front setback is generally 5 ft for C‑3 and C‑4 (with exceptions where a lot adjoins residential — those adjacencies inherit the residential setback). C‑3 specifics: front 5 ft, height 30 ft, FAR 0.7. C‑4 specifics: front 5 ft, height 45 ft, FAR 1.0. See § 10-2.632 and § 10-2.642.

Do I need design review in Redondo Beach?

Many projects require either Administrative Design Review or Planning Commission Design Review (especially multi‑unit projects, projects seeking deviations/variations, and overlay‑driven projects). The zone sections reference design‑review procedures where applicable (e.g., setback modifications tied to Design Review). See the zone “additional regulations” and design‑review cross‑references in § 10-2.631 and related sections.

When is a Conditional Use Permit required?

A use marked “C” in the applicable zone’s land‑use schedule requires a Conditional Use Permit; additionally, specific uses (service stations, smoke shops, certain large restaurants, some industrial activities) are explicitly designated CUP uses in their sections. Check the parcel’s zone schedule and the specific use sections (for example § 10-5.1602 for service stations).

Are very large retail uses allowed in mixed‑use or pedestrian corridors?

Uses exceeding 30,000 square feet are generally prohibited in many mixed‑use and pedestrian commercial zones unless they obtain a CUP and demonstrate pedestrian‑oriented design compatibility. See § 10-2.911(c) and parallel language in several commercial zone sections.

What does the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) change about allowed uses?

On identified AHO sites the overlay allows changes to density and use mix (including permitting 100% residential on certain Housing Element sites), sets site‑specific maximum heights and cluster maximums, and modifies FAR/density calculations for mixed‑use projects. See the AHO schedules and site tables in § 10-2.1438 and § 10-2.1444.

Can I locate an office on the ground floor in mixed-use zones?

Generally ground‑floor offices are restricted in pedestrian‑oriented mixed‑use and commercial zones to protect retail activation — offices are often allowed on upper floors or at rear ground‑floor locations. Some exceptions apply in specific overlays (e.g., Riviera Village) or subzones; see § 10-2.631 and § 10-2.911(d) for details.

Where are the industrial zone limits on vehicle‑related uses?

The industrial use sections explicitly prohibit many vehicle‑intensive uses (vehicle sales, truck terminals, recycling facilities) in certain industrial subzones; some limited industrial/commercial uses may be allowed with a CUP. See § 10-2.1010 and the industrial subzone writeups (I‑1, I‑2, IC‑1).

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