Seal Beach · Zoning · RLD-9
Seal Beach RLD-9 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Seal Beach's RLD-9 zone, generally buildings can be up to 25 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 18 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq. ft., with the conditions listed below (Seal Beach code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 25 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories
- Minimum front setback: 18 ft (Front entry garage)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (along Ocean Avenue between First and Eighth Streets (Gold Coast): 10% of lot width or 3 ft, whichever is greater)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq. ft. (Interior Lots; minimum lot area)
- Maximum lot coverage: 45% (Plus 5% more for patio covers that are at least 50% open)
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 5,000 sq ft of lot area (Plus an accessory dwelling unit)
RLD-9 is a zoning district in Seal Beach. Every value below was read from the Seal Beach 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 RLD-9
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 | 25 ft § 11.2.05.015 · code textTable row “Maximum Height (ft.)”, column “RLD-9”: 25(A)(G) (not to exceed 2 stories) |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories § 11.2.05.015 · code textTable row “Maximum Height (ft.)”, column “RLD-9”: 25(A)(G) (not to exceed 2 stories) |
| Minimum front setback | 18 ft Applies: Front entry garage § 11.2.05.015 · code textIn the RLD-9 District the minimum front yard is 18 feet for a front entry garage and 10 feet for a side entry garage except for the RLD-9 District area along Ocean Avenue between First Street and Eighth Street, which is not allowed side entry garages. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: along Ocean Avenue between First and Eighth Streets (Gold Coast): 10% of lot width or 3 ft, whichever is greater § 11.2.05.015 · code textIn the RLD-9 District the minimum interior side yard is 5 feet except for the RLD-9 District area along Ocean Avenue between First Street and Eighth Street (Gold Coast), which requires a minimum interior side yard of either 10% of lot width or 3 feet, whichever is greater. |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft § 11.2.05.015 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “RLD-9”: 10 |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq. ft. Applies: Interior Lots; minimum lot area § 11.2.05.015 · code textTable row “Interior Lots”, column “RLD-9”: 5,000 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 45% Applies: Plus 5% more for patio covers that are at least 50% open § 11.2.05.015 · code textIn the RLD-9 District the maximum lot coverage is 45%, with an additional 5% lot coverage permitted for patio covers that are at least 50% open. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 5,000 sq ft of lot area Applies: Plus an accessory dwelling unit § 11.2.05.015 · code textTable row “Maximum Density”, column “RLD-9”: 1 unit per 5,000 sq. ft. of lot area, plus an "Accessory Dwelling Unit" |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in RLD-9:
- Maximum building height: 35 ft — Surfside area; measured from the crown of Surfside Avenue; the 2-story limit does not apply § 11.2.05.015
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — Side entry garage § 11.2.05.015
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width or 3 ft, whichever is greater — RLD-9 area along Ocean Avenue between First Street and Eighth Street (Gold Coast) § 11.2.05.015
- Minimum lot size: 5,500 sq. ft. — Corner Lots; minimum lot area § 11.2.05.015
- Maximum lot coverage: 60% — RLD-9 area along Ocean Avenue, between First Street and Eighth Street § 11.2.05.015
Not on this page
We did not find a general FAR limit for RLD-9 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Seal Beach Municipal Code.
Other Seal Beach zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Seal Beach's RLD-9 zone?
25 ft — Seal Beach Municipal Code § 11.2.05.015.
What is the maximum number of stories in Seal Beach's RLD-9 zone?
2 stories — Seal Beach Municipal Code § 11.2.05.015.
What is the minimum front setback in Seal Beach's RLD-9 zone?
18 ft (front entry garage) — Seal Beach Municipal Code § 11.2.05.015.
What is the minimum side setback in Seal Beach's RLD-9 zone?
5 ft (along Ocean Avenue between First and Eighth Streets (Gold Coast): 10% of lot width or 3 ft, whichever is greater) — Seal Beach Municipal Code § 11.2.05.015.
What is the minimum rear setback in Seal Beach's RLD-9 zone?
10 ft — Seal Beach Municipal Code § 11.2.05.015.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Seal Beach property in RLD-9
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question