South Pasadena — Variances and Exceptions

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page explains how Variances and Exceptions work under the South Pasadena Municipal Code (the local zoning ordinance), who decides them, the findings applicants must satisfy, and how they interact with Administrative Modifications and overlay/district standards. For background on the city's overall zoning program see the South Pasadena zoning & planning overview. All requirements below are drawn from the City’s Zoning Code (Chapter 36) and related subdivision rules; citations point to the controlling sections of the Code.

How the rules fit together (short)

• A Variance lets the Planning Commission depart from a development standard (setbacks, height, lot coverage, etc.) when strict application would deny privileges others enjoy; it never authorizes a use otherwise prohibited by the zoning district (§ 36.410.080) .
• An Exception in the subdivision (map) context is a similar discretionary waiver of subdivision-article standards for a Tentative/Parcel/Final Map (§ 36.500.100) .
• Many smaller departures are processed as an Administrative Modification by the Director (limited numeric adjustments listed in Table 4‑2); if a request exceeds those numeric limits the applicant must file a Variance (§ 36.410.070; Table 4‑2) .

Note: the Code refers to and limits certain Variance powers consistent with the City’s 1983 initiative; the Code also records a narrowly-targeted repeal regarding height in a 2024 ballot measure—see the ordinance text for the exact scope of that repeal (§ 36.410.080, explanatory note) .

District-by-district breakdown (where Variances/Exceptions are applied)

Below are the primary district labels that govern what uses and which development standards a Variance or Exception may modify. Each subsection gives the district purpose, typical permitted uses, and the key dimensional standards a variance most commonly targets (setbacks, height, lot coverage, FAR). Where the code excerpt did not explicitly list a numeric standard, the material states "Not found in retrieved materials" and directs you to verify with the City.

• All districts: base development standards and measurement rules are in Article 3 (setbacks, heights, parking) — see South Pasadena Development Standards and § 36.300.030 for measurement rules .

RE (Residential Estate)

Purpose & typical uses: low-density estate single-family lots; purpose text and detailed use list are in Article 2 (Zoning Districts) — see the Zoning overview for use tables. Permit types mirror other RS/RM districts (P, AUP, CUP where listed). Not all use table entries are reproduced in the retrieved excerpt. Verify parcel-specific allowed uses with the City. Not found in retrieved materials for full use list or where in the city this district applies. See § 36.300.020 for applicability and measurement rules .

Key dimensional standards (where a typical Variance is requested): lot coverage 40%, FAR 0.35, height limit 25 ft (these figures appear across residential standards in Table 2‑3 and related overlay tables; confirm for a specific parcel) .

RS (Single-Family Residential)

Purpose & typical uses: conventional single-family residential—primary single-family houses, accessory residential structures. For accessory rules (including garages and accessory buildings) consult the residential use rules and South Pasadena ADUs. Administrative adjustments are possible for some accessory structures under SPMC 36.350.170 .

Key dimensional standards: lot coverage ~40%, FAR ~0.35, minimum dwelling floor area (where listed) 1,250 sf for some districts, height often 25 ft in non‑hillside areas — confirm exact numbers for the RS zone on your lot via Table 2‑3 and § 36.300.020 .

Where it applies: residential neighborhoods; verify your parcel zoning using the City zoning map (see the South Pasadena Zoning page). Not all numeric standards for each subzone were reproduced in the retrieved excerpt—verify with the City.

RM / RH (Multi-family Residential / Higher-density Residential)

Purpose & typical uses: multi-family housing and multi‑unit developments. Allowed uses and permit triggers vary; some uses require AUP or CUP per the use tables in Article 2 (refer to Table 2‑2 / 2‑4). See South Pasadena Land Use for contextual planning guidance. Not found in retrieved materials for full use tables in the excerpts provided; verify with the City.

Key dimensional standards: the residential table shows lot coverage ~40%, FAR 0.35 (RM table entries), and height limits tied to Table 3 measurement rules—variances commonly seek additional height or reduced setbacks (§ 36.300.030; § 36.410.080) .

CO, CG, BP (Commercial: Office, General Commercial, Business Park)

Purpose & typical uses: retail, office, services, and light commercial uses. The Code organizes commercial allowed uses and permit requirements in the commercial use tables (e.g., Table 2‑4) and sets general district development standards in Table 2‑5; reductions in parking often trigger Variance review and are strictly limited by the 1983 initiative language cited in the Code (§ 36.230 / Table 3‑6) .

Key dimensional standards (Table 2‑5 highlights):

• Front setback: generally 10 ft for some commercial districts (see Table 2‑5).
• Side setbacks: commonly 4 ft with additional setbacks required above two stories.
• Maximum height: 35 ft stated in Table 2‑5.
• Lot coverage: generally “No maximum” in some commercial districts; other commercial districts show 50% maximum — verify district-specific cell in Table 2‑5 (§ 36.230.050) .

Where it applies: commercial corridors and centers; confirm via the City zoning map on the South Pasadena Zoning page.

AM Overlay (Altos de Monterey Overlay)

Purpose & typical uses: area‑specific overlay with its own parcel-size, setback, and design rules; the overlay imposes special nonconforming and infill rules (Table 2‑7) and stricter rear/second‑story setbacks and lot size rules (§ 36.250 / Table 2‑7) .

Key dimensional standards in the AM overlay (Table 2‑7 excerpts):

• Rear setback: 25 ft.
• Second‑story front setback: 20 ft from front setback line.
• Between structures: 10 ft.
• Lot coverage: 40% maximum.
• Primary structure height: 25 ft (overlay‑specific measurement) .

Where it applies: the geographic Altos de Monterey area; overlay maps and exact parcel applicability are in the zoning maps/Article 2 — consult the South Pasadena Overlay Districts page for location verification.

Most decision‑relevant standards (quick reference table)

Plain-English Summary

If a South Pasadena property strictly cannot meet a numeric rule (setback, height, lot coverage, parking) because of the property’s specific circumstances, you can ask the Planning Commission for a Variance (public hearing, must meet several findings) or the Commission can approve a subdivision Exception for map-related deviations; smaller, limited percentage changes can be handled by an Administrative Modification from the Director if they fit Table 4‑2 limits. Always confirm overlay, historic, and parking‑near‑transit rules for your parcel and prepare to show how the change won’t harm neighbors or City goals (§ 36.410.080; § 36.500.100; § 36.410.070) .

Source References

• South Pasadena Zoning Code — Variances: § 36.410.080 (Variance purpose, applicability, findings, conditions)
• South Pasadena Zoning Code — Administrative Modifications and Table 4‑2 (allowed numeric adjustments and caps): § 36.410.070 and Table 4‑2 file
• South Pasadena Subdivision Ordinance — Exceptions to subdivision standards: § 36.500.100 (Exceptions; required findings)
• Residential district development standards (Table 2‑3) and general measurement rules: Article 2 / Table 2‑3 and § 36.300.030 (Setback measurement and exceptions) file
• Commercial district development standards (Table 2‑5) and parking note (Table 3‑6): Table 2‑5; Table 3‑6 / parking notes (parking variances limited by initiative language) file
• AM Overlay district standards (Table 2‑7): Table 2‑7 / AM Overlay
• Design review and reasonable accommodation cross‑references: § 36.410.040 (Design Review) and § 36.410.110 (Reasonable Accommodation) — cross‑referenced in Article 4 excerpts
• For state building standard context (when design triggers interact with building code): California Building Standards Code (see state Title 24 for building‑code compliance; building code requirements are outside the scope of this page)

Information Gaps

• Complete, parcel‑specific numeric standards for every named district (e.g., the full cell values of Table 2‑3 and Table 2‑5 for each district) were not fully reproduced in the retrieved excerpts. Verify exact numeric standards for the specific parcel and zone using the official zoning map and the City’s full Chapter 36 tables. Not found in retrieved materials.
• The full text of Table 2‑4 (Commercial Zoning Districts — Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements) was referenced but not fully present in the excerpts; check the use table for whether a proposed land use requires AUP or CUP. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Current procedural checklists, fees, submittal forms, and Department handouts (the Code requires submission per the Department handout) are not included in the Code excerpts; obtain application forms and fee schedule from Planning staff. Not found in retrieved materials.
• Exact scope of the 1983 initiative provisions remaining in force (the Code references them and documents a partial repeal for height); applicants should confirm current limits with the City Clerk/Planning Department. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Retrieved passages

• South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1.) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 65901) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 65901) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Article III) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 1.) High relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 21155) Medium relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 36.250.030) Medium relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• CFC § 350.170 Medium relevance show source text
• South Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 65863.3) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• South Pasadena Zoning Code — Variances: **§ 36.410.080** (Variance purpose, applicability, findings, conditions) (§ 36.410.080)
• South Pasadena Zoning Code — Administrative Modifications and Table 4‑2 (allowed numeric adjustments and caps): **§ 36.410.070** and Table 4‑2 file (§ 36.410.070)
• South Pasadena Subdivision Ordinance — Exceptions to subdivision standards: **§ 36.500.100** (Exceptions; required findings) (§ 36.500.100)
• Residential district development standards (Table 2‑3) and general measurement rules: Article 2 / **Table 2‑3** and **§ 36.300.030** (Setback measurement and exceptions) file (Article 2)
• Commercial district development standards (Table 2‑5) and parking note (Table 3‑6): **Table 2‑5**; **Table 3‑6 / parking notes** (parking variances limited by initiative language) file
• AM Overlay district standards (Table 2‑7): **Table 2‑7 / AM Overlay**
• Design review and reasonable accommodation cross‑references: **§ 36.410.040** (Design Review) and **§ 36.410.110** (Reasonable Accommodation) — cross‑referenced in Article 4 excerpts (§ 36.410.040)
• For state building standard context (when design triggers interact with building code): California Building Standards Code (see state Title 24 for building‑code compliance; building code requirements are outside the scope of this page) (Title 24)
• SouthPasadena_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Building Code.md