Local zoning · Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita — Development Standards

Q: What can I build on an R-1 (UR1) lot in Santa Clarita?

In UR1 (Urban Residential 1) you may build typical single‑family dwellings consistent with the allowed uses in the zone; density is capped at 2.0 units/acre and dimensional standards include 20 ft front setback , 5/5 ft side , 15 ft rear , and maximum height without CUP 35 ft . See § 17.33.010 for the UR1 standards.

Q: What are Santa Clarita setback requirements for residential zones?

Most urban and non‑urban residential zones list front setback 20 ft , side setbacks 5 ft and 5 ft , and rear setback 15 ft as the baseline; see the applicable UR or NU zone table for your parcel (for example § 17.33.050 for UR5). Always confirm Division 6 for projection rules and measurement.

Q: Do Santa Clarita zones limit building height?

Yes — many residential and commercial zones specify a maximum height without a CUP of 35 ft ; mixed‑use urban zones allow taller structures without CUP (for example 50 ft in MXC / MXUV ). Check the specific zone § (e.g., § 17.35.030 for MXUV).

Q: How is density expressed and limited?

Density is expressed as units per gross acre in each zone (e.g., UR5 maximum 30.0 u/ac , CR maximum 50 u/ac , NU1 maximum 0.05 u/ac ). See the numeric density value in your zone’s § (for example § 17.33.050 , § 17.34.030 , § 17.32.010 ).

Q: Are ADUs allowed and where are their rules?

Some zone use tables list Accessory Dwelling Units as a permitted use (for example OS‑BLM’s table shows ADUs allowed). However, detailed ADU dimensional and procedural rules are typically in a dedicated ADU chapter or regulated by state ADU law; the specific local ADU standards were not retrieved here. Consult Santa Clarita ADUs and California ADU law and verify with the City. Not found in retrieved materials.

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes the Santa Clarita zoning code's rules on development standards — setbacks, height, lot coverage, density, and FAR — as found in the city's zoning ordinance (Title 17). It organizes the rules by actual local districts used by Santa Clarita (for example UR1–UR5, NU1–NU5, CN, CC, CR, BP, I, MXC, MXUV, OS variants) and points to where the code says additional standards live. Start with the city's zoning baseline at the Santa Clarita Zoning page for map/zone lookup.

Important: many zone sections state that "additional property development standards contained in Division 6 of this title (Development Standards) shall apply," but the Division 6 text itself was not present in the retrieved materials below. Verify parcel-specific details with the City. Not found in retrieved materials.

How to use this page

If you have a parcel address, first confirm its zone using the city's zoning map (see Santa Clarita Zoning). Then read the subsection below for that district and cross-check the cited §. For site-level technical constraints (grading, slope, screening, precise measurement rules) see Division 6 (Development Standards) — Verify with the jurisdiction; Division 6 text was not retrieved here. Not found in retrieved materials.

District-by-district development-standards summary

Notes on presentation: each district name below is bolded when first used and all numeric standards called out are bold. Each numeric standard is grounded to the controlling code § and the retrieved file citation.

Residential zones (Urban Residential)

UR1 — Urban Residential 1

Purpose / typical uses: Low-density single-family neighborhoods (single-family homes at a maximum of 2.0 units/acre). § 17.33.010
Key dimensional standards (high-level): Minimum net lot area 20,000 sq ft, lot width 75 ft, front yard setback 20 ft, side yard 5/5 ft, rear yard 15 ft, maximum height without CUP 35 ft. § 17.33.010
Where it applies: transition neighborhoods that "require urban services" — see zoning map. § 17.33.010

UR2 / UR3 / UR4 / UR5 — Urban Residential 2–5

Purpose / typical uses: Increasing permitted densities from lower to higher: UR3 allows up to 11.0 u/ac, UR4 up to 18 u/ac, and UR5 up to 30 u/ac with corresponding minimums where stated (e.g., UR5 minimum 18 u/ac). See the specific zone § for permitted types (single-family, duplexes, multifamily as allowed). § 17.33.030, § 17.33.050
Key dimensional standards (common pattern): front setback 20 ft, side 5/5 ft, rear 15 ft, maximum height without CUP 35 ft (many UR zones list 35 ft). Minimum lot areas and lot widths decrease as density increases (for example UR5 minimum net lot area 4,500 sq ft and lot width 40 ft). § 17.33.030, § 17.33.050
Note: accessory-structure heights and distances between structures are described in each UR §; many list accessory max 20 ft and spacing requirements (e.g., distance between main structures 10 ft, main-to-accessory 6 ft). § 17.33.030, § 17.33.050

Non‑Urban / rural zones

NU1–NU5 — Non‑Urban zones

Purpose / typical uses: Very low-density / rural, agricultural, equestrian; densities expressed as fractional units/acre (for example NU1 maximum 0.05 u/ac = 1 per 20 acres; NU4 0.5 u/ac; NU5 1.0 u/ac). § 17.32.010, § 17.32.040, § 17.32.050
Key dimensional standards (typical): minimum net lot area varies (e.g., NU1—20 acres, NU4—2 acres, NU5—1 acre), front setback 20 ft, side 5/5 ft, rear 15 ft, max height without CUP 35 ft. § 17.32.010, § 17.32.040, § 17.32.050

Commercial / Industrial zones

CN — Neighborhood Commercial

Purpose / typical uses: Small neighborhood-serving retail and services; multiple-family dwellings may be allowed. § 17.34.020
Key dimensional standards: Maximum FAR (nonresidential) 0.5, maximum lot coverage 75%, maximum density 18 u/ac, setback from ROW (major) 10 ft / other 5 ft, max height without CUP 35 ft, setbacks from residential property lines 25 ft. § 17.34.020

CC — Community Commercial

Purpose / typical uses: Local-serving commercial along arterials (grocers, restaurants, banks, medical services). § 17.34.010
Key dimensional standards: Maximum FAR (nonresidential) 0.75, maximum lot coverage 80%, maximum density 18 u/ac, ROW setback 10/5 ft, max height without CUP 35 ft, setbacks from residential 25 ft. § 17.34.010

CR — Regional Commercial

Purpose / typical uses: Regional focal points (e.g., Valencia Town Center); may include entertainment and large commercial uses; multifamily may be allowed. § 17.34.030
Key dimensional standards: Maximum FAR 2.0 (nonresidential), maximum lot coverage up to 90% (without CUP), maximum density 50 u/ac, min 18 u/ac, ROW setback 10/5 ft, max height without CUP 35 ft, setbacks from residential 25 ft. § 17.34.030

BP — Business Park

Purpose / typical uses: Employment campuses, master-planned campuses visible from freeways. § 17.34.040
Key dimensional standards: Maximum FAR 2.0, maximum lot coverage 90%, ROW setback 10/5 ft, max height without CUP 35 ft, setback from residential 25 ft. § 17.34.040

I — Industrial

Purpose / typical uses: Industrial districts with access to infrastructure; heavy noxious uses restricted. § 17.34.050
Key dimensional standards: Maximum FAR 1.0, maximum lot coverage 90%, ROW setback 10/5 ft, max height without CUP 35 ft, setback from residential 25 ft. § 17.34.050

Mixed-use zones

MXC — Mixed‑Use Corridor

Purpose / typical uses: Corridor revitalization; both horizontal and vertical mixed-use; residential protected from high-volume street impacts. § 17.35.010
Key dimensional standards: Maximum residential density 30 u/ac, minimum 11 u/ac, nonresidential FAR 1.0, building setback from ROW 5 ft (major) / 0 ft (other), surface parking setback 10/5 ft, structure setback from residential uses 25 ft, max height without CUP 50 ft. § 17.35.010

MXUV — Mixed‑Use Urban Village

Purpose / typical uses: Transit-oriented urban villages; compact, walkable, mixed housing and commercial. § 17.35.030
Key dimensional standards: Residential density range 19–50 u/ac, nonresidential FAR up to 3.0, building setback from ROW 5 ft (major) / 0 ft (other), structure setback from residential uses 25 ft, maximum height without CUP 50 ft. § 17.35.030

Open space zones

OS / OS-A / OS-BLM / OS-NF — Open Space variants

Purpose / typical uses: Passive/active open space, habitat, parks, sometimes privately held forest inholdings; typical uses include trails, agriculture, limited recreation. § 17.36.010, § 17.36.020, § 17.36.030, § 17.36.040
Key dimensional standards: Very low densities (examples: OS and OS‑variants list maximum 0.025 u/ac in many open-space types), minimum lot areas 5–20 acres, front setback 20 ft, side 5/5 ft, rear 15 ft, max height without CUP 35 ft, setbacks for public/semi‑public uses from residential lines 25 ft. § 17.36.010, § 17.36.020, § 17.36.030, § 17.36.040

Quick comparison table (decision‑relevant highlights)

Zone	Max density (u/ac)	Max height w/o CUP	Max lot coverage / FAR	Front setback	Code Reference
UR1	2.0	35 ft	N/A	20 ft	§ 17.33.010
UR5	30.0	35 ft	N/A	20 ft	§ 17.33.050
NU5	1.0	35 ft	N/A	20 ft	§ 17.32.050
CN	18	35 ft	75% / FAR 0.5	10/5 ft	§ 17.34.020
CC	18	35 ft	80% / FAR 0.75	10/5 ft	§ 17.34.010
CR	50	35 ft	90% / FAR 2.0	10/5 ft	§ 17.34.030
BP	N/A	35 ft	90% / FAR 2.0	10/5 ft	§ 17.34.040
MXC	30	50 ft	nonres FAR 1.0	5/0 ft	§ 17.35.010
MXUV	50	50 ft	nonres FAR 3.0	5/0 ft	§ 17.35.030
OS	0.025	35 ft	N/A	20 ft	§ 17.36.010

Practical guidance / plain‑English takeaways

Most residential and commercial zones use a 35 ft building-height ceiling without a conditional use permit (CUP). Where higher heights are desired (many mixed‑use zones allow 50 ft without CUP), check the specific zone's § before planning. See § 17.33.010, § 17.33.050, § 17.35.010, § 17.35.030.
Nonresidential intensity is regulated by FAR in commercial/industrial/mixed-use zones (e.g., FAR 0.5 for CN, 0.75 for CC, 2.0 for CR/BP, up to 3.0 in MXUV) — check the specific zone § for the numeric limit. § 17.34.020, § 17.34.010, § 17.34.030, § 17.34.040, § 17.35.030.
Setbacks across most zones follow a common pattern: 20 ft front, 5 ft side (each), 15 ft rear for many residential and open-space zones; commercial zones specify ROW setbacks of 10/5 ft and require 25 ft setbacks from neighboring residential uses in many commercial/industrial zones. See, e.g., § 17.33.050, § 17.34.010, § 17.34.030.
The code repeatedly notes "additional property development standards contained in Division 6 of this title (Development Standards) shall apply" — those Division 6 specifics (landscaping, screening, precise measurement, stepbacks, corner lots, etc.) were not included in the retrieved materials. Verify Division 6 for exact measurement, exceptions, and modifications. Not found in retrieved materials.

When you need parking counts, refer to the city's parking standards — they are in a separate division; consult the Santa Clarita Parking page and the zoning code’s Division 5 for required parking ratios. Santa Clarita also uses design review and overlay processes for appearance and special districts — see Design Review and Overlay Districts pages for process context.

First mention links used above: Santa Clarita Zoning, Santa Clarita Parking, Santa Clarita Design Review, Santa Clarita Overlay Districts, Santa Clarita ADUs, California Building Standards Code, Santa Clarita Variances and Exceptions.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy — high level)

Confirm parcel zone on the City zoning map (Santa Clarita Zoning).
Meet the zone's numeric standards for density, setbacks, height, lot area, and lot width as shown in the zone's § (example: UR5 standards in § 17.33.050).
For commercial/nonresidential projects, verify applicable FAR and lot coverage limits in the zone § (e.g., CR FAR 2.0 in § 17.34.030).
Check whether your proposal triggers site-specific or area-based review (design review, overlays, hillside review) and consult the Santa Clarita Design Review and Overlay Districts pages.
Determine required parking using the code’s use classification and parking tables (Division 5) and the Santa Clarita Parking summary.
If exceeding height, density, or FAR limits, identify whether a CUP, variance, minor use permit, or other discretionary approval is required and follow Santa Clarita Variances and Exceptions procedures.
Review Division 6 (Development Standards) for detailed site standards (landscaping, screening, stepbacks); Division 6 text was not retrieved here — Verify with the jurisdiction. Not found in retrieved materials.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Division 6 content not present	Many site-level rules (screening, driveway widths, measurable building face rules) are in Division 6; you can pass code-level numeric tests but still fail on these details	Obtain and read Division 6 (Development Standards) from City; confirm with planning staff. Not found in retrieved materials.
Parcel-level overlays and specific plan rules	Overlays can change setbacks, heights, design requirements, or require additional review	Check whether overlays apply to parcel via Santa Clarita Overlay Districts and the zoning map; review overlay §s.
CUP/permit triggers not obvious from zone table	Zones state "maximum height without a CUP" (commonly 35 ft); the CUP standard and findings are elsewhere	If exceeding the stated limit (e.g., >35 ft), confirm CUP procedures, findings, and neighborhood noticing requirements in the ordinance. Verify with planning. See relevant zone §s.
Parking and use-specific standards are elsewhere	Use lists refer to Division 5 (Use Classifications and Required Parking) for permitted uses and parking numbers	Consult Division 5 and the Santa Clarita Parking page for exact stall counts per use. Not found in retrieved materials for detailed parking tables.
ADU specifics (placement, size, setbacks)	OS-BLM and other sections show ADUs allowed as a use in some zones but the development standards for ADUs typically reference state ADU law or a separate local chapter	See Santa Clarita ADUs and California ADU law; local ADU standards (size, setbacks) were not present here. Verify with local ADU code. Not found in retrieved materials.

Plain‑English summary

Santa Clarita’s Title 17 zoning lists explicit numeric limits by zone for density, setbacks, height, lot area, and FAR/lot coverage: most residential zones cap building height at 35 ft without a CUP and use a common setback pattern (20 ft front, 5 ft side, 15 ft rear), while commercial and mixed‑use zones add FAR and larger lot‑coverage allowances and allow greater height in urban/mixed zones (up to 50 ft in MXC/MXUV). Always confirm overlay rules, Division 6 site standards, and parking requirements for your parcel. See the cited zone sections below (examples: § 17.33.010, § 17.33.050, § 17.34.010, § 17.35.030).

Information Gaps

Full text of Division 6 (Development Standards) (detailed site/measurement standards, landscaping/screening, exact projection rules) — Not found in retrieved materials.
Detailed parking tables and numeric stall requirements (Division 5 referenced but not included) — Not found in retrieved materials.
Local procedural language for CUP, variances, and specific overlay text that could alter numeric standards for parcels — partial references present but full procedural sections not retrieved. Verify with City. Not found in retrieved materials.
Local ADU dimensional rules (size, height, reduced setbacks) — ADU use presence shown in some zone tables but the ADU chapter details were not in retrieved materials. See Santa Clarita ADUs and California ADU law. Not found in retrieved materials.

Source References

§ 17.33.010 (Urban Residential 1 — standards summary)
§ 17.33.030 (Urban Residential 3 — density and setbacks)
§ 17.33.050 (Urban Residential 5 — density, setbacks, accessory rules)
§ 17.32.010, § 17.32.040, § 17.32.050 (Non‑Urban zones NU1–NU5)
§ 17.34.010, § 17.34.020, § 17.34.030, § 17.34.040, § 17.34.050 (CN, CC, CR, BP, I zone standards)
§ 17.35.010, § 17.35.030 (MXC, MXUV mixed‑use standards)
§ 17.36.010, § 17.36.020, § 17.36.030, § 17.36.040 (Open Space variants)

Additional contextual resources (internal GoCodebook pages referenced above):

Santa Clarita Zoning (/us/california/santa-clarita/zoning) — use for map/zone lookup.
Santa Clarita Parking (/us/california/santa-clarita/parking) — consult for required stall counts.
Santa Clarita Design Review (/us/california/santa-clarita/design-review) — consult for review triggers.
Santa Clarita Overlay Districts (/us/california/santa-clarita/overlay-districts) — check parcel overlays.
Santa Clarita ADUs (/us/california/santa-clarita/adu) and California ADU law (/us/california/california-adu-laws) — for ADU-specific rules.
California Building Standards Code (/us/california/building-codes) — for building‑code (Title 24) interface (this page does not cover Title 24 requirements).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Santa Clarita Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
Santa Clarita Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
Santa Clarita Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
Santa Clarita Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
Santa Clarita Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
Santa Clarita Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
Santa Clarita Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
Santa Clarita Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Santa Clarita code library

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R-1 (UR1) lot in Santa Clarita?

In UR1 (Urban Residential 1) you may build typical single‑family dwellings consistent with the allowed uses in the zone; density is capped at 2.0 units/acre and dimensional standards include 20 ft front setback, 5/5 ft side, 15 ft rear, and maximum height without CUP 35 ft. See § 17.33.010 for the UR1 standards.

What are Santa Clarita setback requirements for residential zones?

Most urban and non‑urban residential zones list front setback 20 ft, side setbacks 5 ft and 5 ft, and rear setback 15 ft as the baseline; see the applicable UR or NU zone table for your parcel (for example § 17.33.050 for UR5). Always confirm Division 6 for projection rules and measurement.

Do Santa Clarita zones limit building height?

Yes — many residential and commercial zones specify a maximum height without a CUP of 35 ft; mixed‑use urban zones allow taller structures without CUP (for example 50 ft in MXC/MXUV). Check the specific zone § (e.g., § 17.35.030 for MXUV).

How is density expressed and limited?

Density is expressed as units per gross acre in each zone (e.g., UR5 maximum 30.0 u/ac, CR maximum 50 u/ac, NU1 maximum 0.05 u/ac). See the numeric density value in your zone’s § (for example § 17.33.050, § 17.34.030, § 17.32.010).

Where does the code state FAR or lot‑coverage limits?

Commercial, industrial, business‑park, and mixed‑use zones state FAR or lot‑coverage caps in the zone table (for example CR nonresidential FAR 2.0, CC FAR 0.75, BP FAR 2.0). See § 17.34.030, § 17.34.010, § 17.34.040.

Are ADUs allowed and where are their rules?

Some zone use tables list Accessory Dwelling Units as a permitted use (for example OS‑BLM’s table shows ADUs allowed). However, detailed ADU dimensional and procedural rules are typically in a dedicated ADU chapter or regulated by state ADU law; the specific local ADU standards were not retrieved here. Consult Santa Clarita ADUs and California ADU law and verify with the City. Not found in retrieved materials.

If my project exceeds the zone height or FAR, what approvals are needed?

Many zone tables list a "maximum height of a structure without a CUP" — exceeding that usually requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or another discretionary approval; the CUP procedures/finding requirements are in other sections of the Title 17 code. Verify the exact entitlement type and findings required for your zone and proposal with planning staff. See the specific zone § that lists the threshold (e.g., § 17.33.050) and consult variance/CUP procedures.

Where are parking requirements found?

Parking counts are contained in the code’s use classifications and required parking tables (Division 5) and vary by use; they are not included in the zone tables summarizing setbacks/FAR. Consult the Santa Clarita Parking page and Division 5 of the code for exact stall requirements. Not found in retrieved materials for detailed parking tables.

Do overlays change these numeric standards?

Yes — overlay districts or specific plans can change allowable uses, setbacks, and design standards. Always check whether the parcel is subject to an overlay (see Santa Clarita Overlay Districts) and read the overlay language.

How do I find out which zone applies to my address?

Check the City’s zoning map and the Santa Clarita Zoning page first; once you know the zone (for example UR3), read that zone’s § (e.g., § 17.33.030) for the numeric standards.

Does the zoning code include design review requirements?

Design review and hillside development review are called out in places (for example some development activities trigger hillside review) and mixed‑use/transit‑oriented districts emphasize design; consult Santa Clarita Design Review and the ordinance sections that reference reviews for where design review is required. ---

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