Local jurisdiction · Los Angeles County
South Pasadena Zoning, Planning & Building Codes
What you can build in South Pasadena depends on its local zoning and planning code, layered on the California Building Standards Code. Ask GoCodebook about any South Pasadena address.
Key points
Last reviewed: July 4, 2026
Overview
South Pasadena’s land-use rules are codified as the South Pasadena Zoning Code (Chapter 36 of the South Pasadena Municipal Code) and implement the General Plan’s land‑use categories and maps § 36.200.020. The Code is organized into divisions for zoning districts, site standards, permit procedures, overlays and specific plans, and includes discrete articles that implement SB 9 and other state laws § 36.100.010; § 36.200.020; § 36.800.010; § 36.900.010.
How South Pasadena's code is organized
- The Zoning Code is Chapter 36; Article 1 describes purpose, authority, and applicability § 36.100.010–§ 36.100.030.
- Article 2 (Divisions 36.200–36.250) establishes the zoning districts, allowed uses, and zone‑specific standards (residential, commercial, special purpose, and overlays) § 36.200.020; § 36.220.010; § 36.230.010; § 36.250.010.
- Article 3 (Divisions 36.300–36.350) collects citywide site‑planning and general development rules (setback measurement, landscaping, lot coverage, open space) § 36.300.020–§ 36.330.040.
- Article 4 (Divisions 36.400–36.420) covers application filing, review authority, and environmental/processing rules § 36.400.010–§ 36.400.070.
- Article 4 (continued) and Article 5 describe the range of zoning approvals (planning clearances, design review, Administrative Use Permits, Conditional Use Permits, variances, planned developments) and the review rules § 36.410.020; § 36.410.040; § 36.410.080.
- The Code contains dedicated articles for ministerial SB 9 standards and urban lot splits § 36.800.010; § 36.900.010 and for Specific Plans (Division 36.440).
(If you want to jump to the City’s zoning menu, see South Pasadena Zoning.)
Zoning district families
South Pasadena organizes districts into named families in Table 2‑1; principal categories and how the Code refers to them are: Residential — RE (Residential Estate), RS (Residential Single‑Family), RM (Residential Medium Density), RH (Residential High Density); Commercial — CG (Commercial General), CO (Commercial Office), BP (Business Park); Special Purpose — CF (Community Facilities), OS (Open Space), DTSP (Downtown Specific Plan), HFSP (Holy Family Specific Plan); and Overlay districts — AM (Altos de Monterey), CDC (Camino del Cielo), MU (Mixed‑Use Overlay), HO (Housing Opportunity Overlay) § 36.200.020; Table 2‑1.
The RE/RS/RM/RH family is described with intended density ranges: RE = up to 3 du/acre; RS = up to 5 du/acre; RM = 5.1–30 du/acre (minimums apply in some Housing Element sites); RH = 30.1–45 du/acre; the HO Overlay can raise allowable density to up to 70 du/acre where applied § 36.220.020; § 36.220.050.
The DTSP and HFSP districts are “specific plan” zoning districts: development within those areas is governed by the adopted Specific Plan text and maps rather than the generic district tables § 36.240.030; Division 36.440.
Citywide development standards (high‑level)
South Pasadena separates district‑level tables from citywide standards; the interplay is: district standards in Article 2 control unless specific general standards in Article 3 override § 36.300.020(A).
Setbacks and measurement: Setbacks are measured and exceptions defined in § 36.300.030; front, side, rear yards and allowable projections are all specified there § 36.300.030. (For detailed numeric setbacks, consult the district tables in Article 2 / Table 2‑3 and Table 2‑6.)
Height, lot coverage and FAR: the Code uses district tables (Table 2‑3/Table 2‑6) for the common numeric limits (examples: small nonconforming single‑family parcel lot coverage limits and front‑yard rules appear in § 36.220.050 and Table 2‑3).
Parking and Loading: Parking standards and reductions/ shared parking rules are in Division 36.310 (Parking and Loading); district tables reference 36.310 for required parking counts § 36.310; Table 2‑3. (See South Pasadena Parking for a quick pointer.)
Landscaping, screening and open space: Citywide landscape rules and plan submittal / surety requirements are in Division 36.330; landscape approval is required before a building permit is issued for qualifying projects § 36.330.030; § 36.330.040.
Design and ground‑floor standards in commercial/mixed‑use areas: Table development standards for the Mixed Use/Commercial districts address minimum ground‑floor heights, glazing, blank wall limits and building entries (see Table 2‑6 and related standards) § 36.230.040; Table 2‑6.
(If you need the numeric district table for a particular parcel, open South Pasadena Development Standards and the district Table 2‑2/2‑3 entries.)
Specific plans & overlays
Specific Plans: The Zoning Code treats the Downtown Specific Plan (DTSP) and the Holy Family Specific Plan (HFSP) as stand‑alone zoning districts; where the DTSP or HFSP apply, the Specific Plan standards control § 36.240.030; Division 36.440.
Overlays: Overlay districts add site‑specific rules on top of the base zone. Key overlays include the AM (Altos de Monterey), CDC (Camino del Cielo), MU (Mixed‑Use Overlay) and HO (Housing Opportunity Overlay); the Code defines purpose, applicability and special rules for each (for example, the MU Overlay implements land use and standards along corridors and neighborhood centers § 36.250.040; the HO Overlay allows up to 70 du/acre and a taller maximum height where applied § 36.250.050).
(See South Pasadena Overlay Districts for a map and parcel‑level overlay application.)
Building permits & review — the typical permit path
Early check: most projects that add floor area require a Planning Clearance before the Building Division will proceed; the planning clearance verifies zoning compliance and identifies additional approvals needed § 36.410.020.
Ministerial vs. discretionary: The Code distinguishes ministerial approvals (e.g., planning clearances, some objective design reviews, SB 9 standards) and discretionary permits (Administrative Use Permits, Conditional Use Permits, Variances, Planned Development Permits) and assigns each review authority in Table 4‑1 § 36.400.020; § 36.410.060; § 36.410.080.
Design review: The Code requires design review for many projects; Design Review procedures and the ministerial path for qualifying residential/mixed‑use projects are in § 36.410.040 and cross‑referenced to objective guidelines § 36.410.040; § 36.220.050. (See South Pasadena Design Review.)
Administrative modifications and variances: The Director can approve limited Administrative Modifications (with numeric caps) § 36.410.070, while variances require stricter findings and a public hearing § 36.410.080. (Also consult South Pasadena Variances and Exceptions.)
Environmental review & fees: Once a complete application is accepted, projects are routed for CEQA review where required § 36.400.070, and fees are set by Council resolution § 36.400.050; § 36.800.110.
State housing law in South Pasadena (how CA rules interface locally)
The Code implements state housing laws through specific articles and cross‑references. Below are the major interactions.
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs & JADUs)
- ADU provisions are implemented in the Zoning Code and cross‑referenced to state law; the Code adopts local ADU standards while preserving state limits where required (references to Government Code 66321–66323 and to SPMC 36.700 standards appear in the ADU article) § 36.700 (ADU definitions/standards); § 36.700.x (ADU development standards).
- The Code incorporates state restrictions on allowable objective standards, conversion rules, allowed heights for attached/detached ADUs, parking exemptions, and demolition/garage replacement rules as required by state ADU law (Gov. Code § 66321 et seq.); local ADU provisions reference those state standards § 36.700; see also the City’s cross‑references to Government Code sections in the ADU provisions. (See South Pasadena ADUs and California ADU law for the state link.)
SB 9 / Urban lot splits and ministerial standards
- South Pasadena adopted stand‑alone, objective rules for SB 9‑eligible projects (Article 8 and Article 9 / Divisions 36.800 and 36.900). Division 36.800 sets standards for “qualified SB 9 development” and ministerial review and fire/water/parking rules § 36.800.010–§ 36.800.120. Division 36.900 is the Urban Lot Split article and contains objective lot, setback, driveway, height, and review rules § 36.900.010–§ 36.900.160.
Density bonus and other state programs
- The Code references Housing Element obligations and creates overlay tools (HO Overlay) to allow higher densities consistent with state housing policy; density bonus program specifics reference state law and are implemented through the local permitting pathway (see § 36.220.020 for density ranges and HO overlay allowances).
Rent control / tenant protections
- The Zoning Code focuses on land‑use controls; I could not find local rent‑control or relocation‑assistance ordinances within Chapter 36 in the retrieved materials — consult the Municipal Code chapters outside Chapter 36 or verify with City staff for tenant/eviction/rent‑control rules (Not found in retrieved materials). (Verify with the jurisdiction.)
Practical navigation tips
- Start with the parcel’s zone on the official City Zoning Map and then read the district table in Article 2 (Tables 2‑1 through 2‑6) § 36.200.020; Table 2‑1.
- Check Article 3 (Division 36.300) for how setbacks, projections and measurement work § 36.300.030.
- Use Planning Clearance (the staff completeness check) to learn which discretionary permits you need before submitting building plans § 36.410.020; § 36.400.010.
Source References
- South Pasadena Zoning Code (Chapter 36), Article 1: Purpose & Authority — § 36.100.010; § 36.100.020.
- Zoning Map and District List — § 36.200.020; Table 2‑1.
- Residential districts and densities — § 36.220.020; § 36.220.050.
- Overlay Districts (AM, MU, HO, CDC) — § 36.250.010–§ 36.250.060; § 36.250.040; § 36.250.050.
- Site planning, setbacks, landscape — § 36.300.020; § 36.300.030; Division 36.330.
- Parking & loading references — Division 36.310.
- Application filing, review authorities, planning clearances — § 36.400.010; § 36.400.020; § 36.410.020.
- Design review, variances, administrative modifications — § 36.410.040; § 36.410.080; § 36.410.070.
- SB 9 / Urban lot splits and ministerial standards — Division 36.800; Division 36.900.
- ADU rules and state cross‑references — SPMC 36.700 and the Code’s citations to Government Code ADU sections.
(First‑use quick links in text: South Pasadena Zoning, South Pasadena Development Standards, South Pasadena Parking, South Pasadena Design Review, South Pasadena Overlay Districts, South Pasadena Historic Preservation, South Pasadena ADUs, California Building Standards Code.)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What zoning districts does South Pasadena have?
The City’s official zoning districts are listed in Table 2‑1 and include residential districts RE, RS, RM, RH, commercial CG, CO, BP, special purpose CF, OS, DTSP, HFSP, and overlays AM, CDC, MU, HO; the Zoning Map on file at the Department shows where each applies § 36.200.020; Table 2‑1.
Where do I find the numeric front/side/rear setbacks and how they are measured?
Setback measurement rules and projection exceptions are in § 36.300.030; numeric minimums and any district‑specific front/side/rear distances are in the district tables (Article 2, Tables 2‑3/2‑6).
Do I need a planning clearance or permit to remodel an existing house?
If your work adds floor area you will generally need a Planning Clearance before the Building Division will process permit plans — the Code requires a planning clearance for projects that will increase floor area § 36.410.020 — and additional authorizations (design review, variances) may be required depending on zoning § 36.210.020.
Can I build an ADU in South Pasadena, and what local limits apply?
Yes; the Code implements ADU standards and cross‑references state ADU rules. Local ADU development standards and conversions are in the ADU article (SPMC 36.700) and the Code expressly applies state Government Code standards where controlling § 36.700; see cross‑references to state ADU provisions.
How does SB 9 apply here — can I split my lot and add units?
South Pasadena has objective SB 9 / Urban Lot Split standards in Divisions 36.800 (qualified SB 9 development rules) and 36.900 (urban lot splits). Those articles set eligibility, lot/flag standards, parking, driveway and fire requirements, and a ministerial review process § 36.800.010; § 36.900.010–§ 36.900.160.
Is there a local density bonus or a way to get more units?
The Code uses conventional density ranges by district (see § 36.220.020) and created a Housing Opportunity (HO) Overlay that raises allowable density (up to 70 du/acre) where applied § 36.220.020; § 36.250.050. For state density‑bonus specifics, local implementation refers to state law in project review.
Does South Pasadena require design review for small residential projects?
Design review is required for many projects; the Code provides objective design paths and a ministerial approval stream for qualifying residential and mixed‑use projects under § 36.410.040 and cross‑references residential objective standards § 36.220.050.
Where are parking requirements set, and can they be reduced?
Required parking counts and loading are in Division 36.310; the Code allows shared‑parking or reductions subject to parking studies and approval procedures set out in § 36.310.060 and related parking‑use permit processes § 36.410.090.
Does the Zoning Code include historic‑preservation controls?
Yes — certain projects subject to the Cultural Heritage Commission and Certificates of Appropriateness are identified; design review may include Cultural Heritage Commission review where applicable (see the Code’s references to Cultural Heritage Commission in Article 4 / design review cross‑references) § 36.410.040.
Does South Pasadena have rent control?
I did not find a rent‑control ordinance within the retrieved portions of Chapter 36 (the Zoning Code). Rent‑control or eviction/tenant protection rules are typically located elsewhere in a municipal code if present; verify with City Clerk or the Municipal Code outside Chapter 36 (Not found in retrieved materials). (Verify with the jurisdiction.)
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