Local zoning · Westlake Village

Westlake Village — Land Use

Q: What can I build on an R-1 lot in Westlake Village?

In the R-1 zone the ordinance permits single-family dwellings and employee housing as primary uses per § 9.5.020 ; accessory uses (fences, home occupations, etc.) are regulated elsewhere in Article 9. For most exterior work you will need a zoning clearance first under § 9.4.040 ; check Chapter 9.14 for applicable development standards and confirm setbacks with the Planning Department.

Q: Do I need a Conditional Use Permit or Planned Development permit to build multifamily housing?

Multifamily housing in many cases is handled through the RPD (Residential Planned Development) process; multifamily and apartments are listed as permitted in RPD but require a planned development permit and the associated findings under § 9.6.020 and § 9.25.080 . If your parcel lies in a Specific Plan area (e.g., Westlake North) follow the Specific Plan rules in § 9.24.030–9.24.040 which may control density and entitlements.

Q: Are ADUs allowed on every residential lot?

Local ADU rules allow ADUs only in R-1 , RPD , and specified Mixed Use Lindero/Corsa areas of the North Business Park Specific Plan; size limits and other standards are in § 9.14.070 (detached ADU caps of 850–1,000 sq ft depending on bedrooms, attached ADU rules, and exceptions are spelled out) — confirm whether your parcel is in the zones named and whether any Specific Plan rules apply.

Q: Where can I find the Specific Plan rules and numeric limits for Westlake North?

The Westlake North Specific Plan is in § 9.24.010–9.24.040 ; it includes a summary chart and Planning Area tables showing FAR, maximum building coverage, maximum heights , and setbacks (for example, Planning Area D has max coverage 35% , max FAR 0.55 , max height 47 ft with additional allowances) — follow those numbers where the Specific Plan applies.

Q: Do I automatically get to build if the use is listed as "permitted"?

Not necessarily. Many “permitted” uses still require a zoning clearance , compliance with design and development standards, and sometimes design review or a planned development permit depending on the zone and scale. See § 9.4.040 (zoning clearance), § 9.15.010 (design review), and § 9.25.080 (planned development findings) for when discretionary review is needed.

Q: If I see conflicting rules between Article 9 and another ordinance, which applies?

The code directs that the more restrictive regulation applies where conflicts occur; Article 9 also defers to the Building Code and other regulations where applicable ( § 9.4.070 ). If a specific plan provides different numeric limits, the Specific Plan governs for parcels inside it. ---

Land Use under the Westlake Village local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Westlake Village Zoning Ordinance (Article 9, often referenced as the City's "Title 9" zoning text) says about land use: which uses are permitted, which are conditional, where accessory uses (including ADUs) are allowed, and where the Specific Plan or development standards change baseline rules. For a quick legal anchor, the ordinance is titled in-code as the Westlake Village Zoning Ordinance (§ 9.1.010) . For related procedural topics see the city's pages on zoning, development standards, parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, California Building Standards Code, and landscaping and screening.

This page stays strictly to what the Municipal Code (Article 9) says about land use; it does not cover building code details (Title 24) or state housing laws beyond where the local code explicitly references them.

How the ordinance structures land-use regulation (quick guide)

The ordinance lists permitted uses, accessory uses, and conditionally permitted uses inside each zoning district (see each district § below). See the city rule on how to determine unlisted uses in § 9.4.050 .
Many zones require a planned development permit or other discretionary approvals for uses and projects; findings for planned development and conditional use approvals are in § 9.25.080 and § 9.26.060 respectively .
The Westlake North Specific Plan is a separate, ordinance-adopted specific plan that overrides or supplements Article 9 for that area; its land-use entitlements and standards are in § 9.24.020 – § 9.24.040 .

District-by-district breakdown (purpose, typical permitted uses, key dimensional / use notes, where the district applies)

Note: Each subsection below names the district in bold and cites the controlling ordinance section (and the file excerpt that contains it). Where the code lists a specific numeric standard, that number is shown in bold. Where the retrieved materials do not supply a numeric standard for a topic, the text says "Not found in retrieved materials" and points to where to verify.

R-1 (Single-Family Residential) — § 9.5.010–9.5.020

Purpose: Protect and stabilize low-density single-family neighborhoods per § 9.5.010 .
Typical permitted uses: single-family dwellings placed in permanent location and employee housing (Permitted Uses in § 9.5.020) .
Accessory uses & limits: residential accessory uses are regulated elsewhere (e.g., fences, storage rules, and ADU rules). Outdoor storage of recreational vehicles is prohibited in § 9.5.050 and commercial vehicle storage over 6,000 lb is prohibited except for deliveries per § 9.5.060 .
Dimensional specifics (setbacks, coverage, height): Not found in retrieved materials for R-1 numeric setbacks/height in the excerpts; the general Development Standards chapters apply (see Chapter 9.14) and a zoning clearance is required for many changes (§ 9.4.040) .
Where it applies: standard single-family residential neighborhoods; see the zoning map and the code for parcel-by-parcel application.

RPD (Residential Planned Development) — § 9.6.010–9.6.020

Purpose: Allows a broad spectrum of residential densities and requires an integrated development plan consistent with the General Plan per § 9.6.010 .
Typical permitted uses: single-family dwellings, multifamily dwellings, apartments, employee housing, and temporary uses (per § 9.6.020), but note a planned development permit is required for the zone (see § 9.6.070) .
Accessory uses: ADUs are allowed as accessory uses in RPD per § 9.6.030(7–8) (ADU and junior ADU rules) .
Key project controls: All RPD projects are subject to the RPD-specific design standards in § 9.6.100 and related chapters on landscaping, parking, and design review .
Dimensional specifics: RPD projects must conform to the General Plan density and the number of units is tied to the site's General Plan land use designation per § 9.6.080–9.6.090 .

MHP (Mobile Home Park) — § 9.7.010–9.7.020

Purpose: Provide for mobile home park development consistent with the General Plan (§ 9.7.010) .
Conditionally permitted uses: Mobile home parks and related accessory uses may be allowed only with a Conditional Use Permit as listed in § 9.7.020; examples include accessory buildings (but excluding guesthouses), garage sales, home occupations, and small residential care facilities (six or fewer residents) .
Special rules: vehicle storage rules and screening requirements for storage areas are specified in the section (e.g., enclosed and screened areas with six-foot masonry walls) .

BP (Business Park) — § 9.10.010–9.10.020

Purpose: Accommodate offices and light industrial uses while limiting impacts on surrounding uses (§ 9.10.010) .
Typical permitted uses (subject often to a planned development permit): professional, medical, financial, administrative and general business offices; light manufacturing/processing that is not obnoxious; warehousing (including mini-warehousing); wholesale trade; research and development; limited retail incidental to a business park; outdoor vehicle storage tied to primary operation; and temporary uses per § 9.10.020 .
Special allowances and limitations: emergency shelters are expressly addressed in § 9.10.020(9) with proximity and management standards; and outdoor storage is tightly limited to fleet vehicles tied to on-site operations .
Dimensional specifics: BP projects are processed with planned development review and must meet the development standards chapters (parking, design, landscaping) — see Chapter 9.14 and the parking rules found in § 9.19 (parking rules summarized in the BP text) .

PI (Public/Institutional) — § 9.12.010–9.12.030

Purpose: Applies to publicly owned and quasi-public uses (§ 9.12.010) .
Typical permitted uses: public libraries, museums, offices/meeting rooms for governmental services, public service and utility structures, and temporary uses (Permitted Uses at § 9.12.020) .
Conditionally permitted uses include churches, fire and police stations, hospitals and nursing homes, schools (through grade 12), utility substations, heliports, and student or special needs housing on designated sites per § 9.12.030 .

MU / Specific Plan / Westlake North Specific Plan — § 9.24.010–9.24.040 (Westlake North Specific Plan)

Purpose: The Westlake North Specific Plan governs an approximately 129-acre area and sets a tailored mix of hotel, commercial, business park, high-density residential, and open space uses. The Specific Plan explicitly states that where it applies, its provisions control unless otherwise provided (§ 9.24.020) .
Planning Areas & sample numeric controls (all from the Specific Plan): see chart and Planning Area tables — example for Planning Area D: Maximum building coverage 35%, Maximum FAR 0.55, Maximum building height 47 ft (three stories) + 10 ft architectural allowance, and detailed minimum setbacks (Loop Road, Residential Area, Cemetery, SCE Easement) in the Planning Area D standards in § 9.24.040 .
How it differs from base zones: The Specific Plan includes a Summary Chart of building entitlements and shows FAR, heights, and allowed building square footages per Planning Area; where the Specific Plan applies, those numbers supersede base Article 9 rules (see § 9.24.030 and § 9.24.040) .

Key code excerpts and process rules you must know

Title of the zoning ordinance: § 9.1.010 .
How to determine whether a use is allowed if not listed: § 9.4.050 (unlisted uses are presumed prohibited unless the Commission finds them similar and no more objectionable) .
Zoning clearance requirement (preceding building permit): § 9.4.040 .
Design review purpose and applicability: § 9.15.010 (design review required to ensure harmony with neighborhood and General Plan objectives) .
Conditional Use Permit findings: § 9.26.060 .
Planned Development Permit findings: § 9.25.080 .
ADU-specific local rules (where ADUs are allowed, size limits): § 9.14.070 (ADUs permitted in R-1, RPD, and certain Mixed Use Lindero/Corsa districts; detached ADU size caps 850–1,000 sq ft depending on bedrooms; attached ADU caps and exceptions are spelled out) .

Decision-relevant reference table (most-read items)

District / Topic	Key land uses or numeric standard	Code Reference
R-1 — permitted uses	Single-family dwellings; employee housing	§ 9.5.020
RPD — permitted uses	Single-family, multifamily, apartments, employee housing (planned dev permit required)	§ 9.6.020 & § 9.6.070
BP — permitted uses	Offices, light industrial, warehousing, R&D, incidental retail (subject to PD)	§ 9.10.020
PI — permitted/conditional	Libraries, gov't offices; churches, schools, hospitals (conditional)	§ 9.12.020 / § 9.12.030
MHP — conditional uses	Mobile home parks; accessory uses (limited)	§ 9.7.020
ADUs — where & sizes	ADUs allowed in R-1, RPD, Mixed Use Lindero/Corsa; detached max 850–1,000 sq ft depending on bedrooms; other caps and exceptions in § 9.14.070
Westlake North (Planning Area D sample)	Max coverage 35%, Max FAR 0.55, Max height 47 ft (+10 ft architectural) and detailed setbacks	§ 9.24.040 (Planning Area D)
Unlisted-use rule	Unlisted uses presumed prohibited unless determined similar by Commission (public hearing)	§ 9.4.050

Practical guidance & comparisons (plain-English synthesis)

If your project is a straightforward single-family addition or ADU in an R-1 lot, the ordinance treats the use as allowed (ADUs have specific caps) but you still need a zoning clearance and must meet local development standards; see § 9.5.020, § 9.4.040, and § 9.14.070 .
For any multiunit or mixed-use plan, the RPD and Specific Plan routes are the main paths: RPD requires a planned development permit and adherence to RPD design and open-space standards; Westlake North is governed by its own Specific Plan limits that explicitly state FAR, heights, and coverage per planning area (these numbers can be more prescriptive than the base zones) — compare § 9.6.020 / 9.6.100 and § 9.24.030–9.24.040 .
Industrial or office uses should evaluate BP rules: many BP uses are allowed but must be non-obnoxious and are processed through planned development review; parking, landscaping, and screening requirements in Chapters 9.14–9.19 will be applied during review (§ 9.10.020) .
When a use is not explicitly listed, the Planning Director/Commission has a formal method to resolve it under § 9.4.050 — do not assume an unlisted use is allowed without that review .

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy for a land-use proposal)

Confirm your parcel's zoning and General Plan land-use designation (verify whether the Westlake North Specific Plan applies). See § 9.24.020 for Specific Plan areas .
Determine whether the use is listed as Permitted, Accessory, or Conditional in the district code (e.g., § 9.5.020, § 9.6.020, § 9.10.020). .
If the use is not listed, prepare a justification demonstrating the use is similar to permissive uses (per § 9.4.050) .
Confirm discretionary entitlements required (zoning clearance, planned development permit, conditional use permit, design review) and prepare required findings (see § 9.4.040, § 9.25.080, § 9.26.060, § 9.15.010) .
Prepare plans showing compliance with development standards and parking requirements (see the development standards chapters and the parking chapter) — parking will be applied per Chapter 9.19 and development standards in Chapter 9.14 .
If in the Westlake North Specific Plan area, confirm you meet the Planning Area numeric limits (FAR, coverage, heights, setbacks) for your Planning Area (e.g., Planning Area D standards) § 9.24.030–9.24.040 .
If proposing an ADU, confirm zone eligibility and ADU size/placement rules per § 9.14.070 .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Unlisted / novel uses	The code presumes unlisted uses are prohibited unless found similar by the Commission (public hearing) — this can stop a project or require a rezoning.	Check § 9.4.050 and consult the Planning Director early; verify whether the Commission has previously approved similar uses.
Parcel‑specific setbacks/coverage/height	Numeric standards for some zones aren't fully listed in the excerpts; Specific Plans or PD approvals may supply different numbers.	For parcel-specific numbers, check Chapter 9.14, the applicable zone chapter, and, if applicable, the Westlake North Specific Plan § 9.24.030–9.24.040. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Whether Specific Plan controls	The Westlake North Specific Plan explicitly supersedes base Article 9 where applicable. Failing to apply the Specific Plan rules will lead to incorrect entitlements.	Confirm if your parcel is inside the Specific Plan area and follow § 9.24.020 and Planning Area tables.
ADU eligibility and size caps	Local ADU rules add limits (zones where ADUs are allowed and size caps). Misreading could cause denial.	See § 9.14.070 for ADU zone eligibility and size limitations; confirm the lot qualifies and whether exceptions apply.
Applicability of design review or PD	Many permitted uses still require design review or planned development permits; assuming a use is "by-right" may be incorrect.	Check § 9.15.010 (design review) and § 9.25.080 (PD findings) and ask the Planning Department to confirm which approvals are required.

Plain-English Summary

Westlake Village’s zoning code names what each zone allows: R-1 is for single-family homes; RPD allows planned residential projects; BP covers offices and light industrial uses; PI covers public institutions; and the Westlake North Specific Plan sets its own rules (FAR, heights, setbacks) for that development area. Whether a use is allowed, accessory, or conditional is determined in the district chapters and by the rule for unlisted uses; planned development and conditional-use findings and design review rules govern most discretionary approvals (see § 9.25.080, § 9.26.060, § 9.15.010) .

Source References

Westlake Village Zoning Ordinance (Article 9) — Title of the ordinance: § 9.1.010
R-1 Zone — permitted uses: § 9.5.020
RPD Zone — permitted/accessory uses and PD rules: § 9.6.020, § 9.6.070–9.6.100
MHP Zone — conditional uses: § 9.7.010–9.7.020
BP Zone — permitted uses and restrictions: § 9.10.010–9.10.020
PI Zone — permitted / conditional uses: § 9.12.010–9.12.030
Westlake North Specific Plan (planning area entitlements and numeric standards): § 9.24.020–9.24.040 (Planning Area D example)
ADU development standards (zones where ADUs allowed and size caps): § 9.14.070
Design review purpose and applicability: § 9.15.010
Planned development permit findings: § 9.25.080
Conditional use permit findings: § 9.26.060
Unlisted-use determination rule: § 9.4.050

For the city’s user-facing landing pages and related internal topics referenced above, see:

Westlake Village zoning & planning overview: /us/california/westlake-village
Westlake Village Zoning: /us/california/westlake-village/zoning
Westlake Village Development Standards: /us/california/westlake-village/development-standards
Westlake Village Parking: /us/california/westlake-village/parking
Westlake Village Design Review: /us/california/westlake-village/design-review
Westlake Village Overlay Districts: /us/california/westlake-village/overlay-districts
Westlake Village ADUs: /us/california/westlake-village/adu
California Building Standards Code: /us/california/building-codes
Westlake Village Landscaping and Screening: /us/california/westlake-village/landscaping-and-screening

Sources

Retrieved passages

Westlake Village Zoning Code (Chapter 9.25) High relevance
Westlake Village Zoning Code (Chapter 9.15.) High relevance
Westlake Village Zoning Code (CHAPTER 9.12.) High relevance
Westlake Village Zoning Code (Section 65454) High relevance
Westlake Village Zoning Code High relevance
Westlake Village Zoning Code (Section upon) High relevance
Westlake Village Zoning Code (Section shall) High relevance
CBC § 3 (Article and) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Westlake Village code library

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R-1 lot in Westlake Village?

In the R-1 zone the ordinance permits single-family dwellings and employee housing as primary uses per § 9.5.020; accessory uses (fences, home occupations, etc.) are regulated elsewhere in Article 9. For most exterior work you will need a zoning clearance first under § 9.4.040; check Chapter 9.14 for applicable development standards and confirm setbacks with the Planning Department.

Do I need a Conditional Use Permit or Planned Development permit to build multifamily housing?

Multifamily housing in many cases is handled through the RPD (Residential Planned Development) process; multifamily and apartments are listed as permitted in RPD but require a planned development permit and the associated findings under § 9.6.020 and § 9.25.080. If your parcel lies in a Specific Plan area (e.g., Westlake North) follow the Specific Plan rules in § 9.24.030–9.24.040 which may control density and entitlements.

Are ADUs allowed on every residential lot?

Local ADU rules allow ADUs only in R-1, RPD, and specified Mixed Use Lindero/Corsa areas of the North Business Park Specific Plan; size limits and other standards are in § 9.14.070 (detached ADU caps of 850–1,000 sq ft depending on bedrooms, attached ADU rules, and exceptions are spelled out) — confirm whether your parcel is in the zones named and whether any Specific Plan rules apply.

Where can I find the Specific Plan rules and numeric limits for Westlake North?

The Westlake North Specific Plan is in § 9.24.010–9.24.040; it includes a summary chart and Planning Area tables showing FAR, maximum building coverage, maximum heights, and setbacks (for example, Planning Area D has max coverage 35%, max FAR 0.55, max height 47 ft with additional allowances) — follow those numbers where the Specific Plan applies.

What if my proposed commercial use isn’t explicitly listed in the BP or CR listings?

If the use is not explicitly listed, the code presumes it is prohibited unless the Planning Commission determines it is similar and no more objectionable than listed uses under § 9.4.050. Initiate an early Planning Department consultation to determine whether the Commission has precedent and whether a zoning text amendment or use determination is required.

Do I automatically get to build if the use is listed as "permitted"?

Not necessarily. Many “permitted” uses still require a zoning clearance, compliance with design and development standards, and sometimes design review or a planned development permit depending on the zone and scale. See § 9.4.040 (zoning clearance), § 9.15.010 (design review), and § 9.25.080 (planned development findings) for when discretionary review is needed.

What are the rules for outdoor storage or vehicle storage in commercial zones?

The ordinance limits outdoor storage in several zones — e.g., CR prohibits outdoor storage in § 9.9.040, and BP allows outdoor fleet vehicle storage only when tied directly to the primary operation (§ 9.10.020). Multifamily and mobile home park projects have specific screening and enclosure rules for stored boats/trailers in the project design standards. Always check the zone’s specific text and the development standards chapter.

Where do I verify whether my parcel is in the Specific Plan or an overlay that changes uses?

Verify on the zoning map and by contacting the Planning Department. The Specific Plan states it controls its area and that where it applies, its provisions supersede base Article 9 (see § 9.24.020). If an overlay district applies, check the overlay chapter and the [overlay districts] page for applicable changes.

Who decides conditional use permits and what are the findings?

Conditional Use Permits are processed with a public hearing and the decision-making body must make the specific findings listed in § 9.26.060, including compatibility, public service capacity, and General Plan consistency. Read the findings early and tailor your application to them.

If I see conflicting rules between Article 9 and another ordinance, which applies?

The code directs that the more restrictive regulation applies where conflicts occur; Article 9 also defers to the Building Code and other regulations where applicable (§ 9.4.070). If a specific plan provides different numeric limits, the Specific Plan governs for parcels inside it. ---

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