Westlake Village — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

Westlake Village's local zoning ordinance is codified as Article 9 of the Westlake Village Municipal Code (commonly referred to in practice as the city's zoning ordinance). The ordinance establishes the official list of zones, places the boundaries on an Official Zoning Map, and ties use/standards to those districts and to any applicable Specific Plans. See § 9.3.010 and § 9.3.020 for the district list and adoption of the map.

The rest of Article 9 controls permitted/conditional uses, planned development procedures, applicable development standards, and how Specific Plans and overlays are integrated into the zoning map. Key cross-references you will need when applying are the chapters on Development Standards, parking, design review, and rules for Specific Plans and overlays.

How Westlake Village organizes zoning (the districts)

The ordinance explicitly establishes these zones in § 9.3.010: R-1, RPD, MHP, CPD, CR, BP, MU, PI, OS, and SP (Specific Plan). The Official Zoning Map shows boundaries and the ordinance supplies rules for resolving uncertain boundaries in § 9.3.020 and § 9.3.030.

Below is a district-by-district breakdown. Each subsection summarizes the ordinance purpose, typical permitted uses, the most decision-relevant dimensional/permitting hooks the code sets out, and where the district is governed in the code.

R-1 (Single‑Family Residential)

• Purpose: The R-1 Zone is intended to preserve low‑density, single‑family neighborhoods. § 9.5.010.
• Typical permitted uses: Single‑family dwellings, employee housing and temporary uses per permit. Accessory uses (small family day care, garages, home occupations) are listed; ADUs and junior ADUs are explicitly allowed subject to the ADU rules. See § 9.5.020 – 9.5.030 and § 9.14.070 for ADU rules.
• Key dimensional/permit hooks: The ordinance does not embed a single numeric table in § 9.5; rather, dimensional standards and setback details live in the City’s Development Standards (Article 9, Chapter 9.14 and related chapters). A zoning clearance is required before building permits except for minor interior/exterior work (§ 9.4.040).
• Where it applies: City‑wide single‑family neighborhoods as shown on the Official Zoning Map. § 9.3.020.

RPD (Residential Planned Development)

• Purpose: The RPD Zone allows planned residential projects (multiple densities and unit types) designed to meet General Plan objectives. § 9.6.010.
• Typical permitted uses: Single‑family and multifamily dwellings, apartments, employee housing, and accessory uses; ADUs permitted subject to § 9.14.070. § 9.6.020–9.6.030.
• Key dimensional/permit hooks: Projects in RPD require a Planned Development Permit and must meet the RPD-specific design requirements; approval requires findings (see § 9.6.070 and § 9.6.120). Applicable development standards are collected in Chapters 9.14–9.22.
• Where it applies: Sites designated RPD on the Official Zoning Map or within a Specific Plan that establishes RPD rules. § 9.3.020.

MHP (Mobilehome Park)

• Purpose: The MHP Zone is for mobile home parks, with special attention to compatibility and design. § 9.7.010.
• Typical permitted/conditional uses: Mobile home parks and accessory structures, limited accessory uses; other uses may require Conditional Use Permit. § 9.7.020.
• Key hooks: Conditional Use Permit requirements are in Chapter 9.26 and the RPD/PD processes in Chapter 9.25 when applicable. Planned Development Permit requirements are called out for parks where applicable.
• Where it applies: Parcels identified as MHP on the Official Zoning Map. § 9.3.020.

CPD (Commercial Planned Development)

• Purpose: The CPD Zone covers commercial centers developed under planned development criteria; it is implemented by a planned development permit and contains a menu of retail, service and commercial uses. See the CPD chapter references in the specific plan excerpts for permitted commercial uses. § 9.08 (see Planning Area examples in the Westlake North Specific Plan).
• Typical permitted uses: Retail, dining, personal services, medical/professional offices, and related accessory uses (detailed lists are in § 9.08.020–9.08.030; see specific plan Planning Areas for site‑specific lists).
• Key hooks: New structures, significant enlargements or use changes in CPD commonly require a Planned Development Permit (§ 9.25.020) and are subject to Chapters 9.14–9.19 (development, design, landscaping, parking, signage). See Planning Area E examples for setbacks, FAR and height used in practice under a Specific Plan.

CR (Commercial Recreation)

• Purpose: The CR Zone is for commercial recreation and amusement facilities. § 9.9.010.
• Typical permitted uses: Athletic fields, golf courses and clubs, marinas, neighborhood recreation facilities; many uses require a Planned Development Permit. § 9.9.020–9.9.030.
• Key hooks: Outdoor storage is explicitly prohibited in CR (§ 9.9.040). Projects typically proceed by Planned Development Permit and must meet development and design chapters.

BP (Business Park)

• Purpose: The BP Zone accommodates offices, light industrial and research uses with standards designed to limit impacts on neighbors. § 9.10.010.
• Typical permitted uses: Professional/medical offices, light manufacturing that is non‑noxious, warehousing, research & development, wholesale trade; some retail is allowed when incidental and not fronting major arterials. § 9.10.020.
• Key dimensional/permit hooks: Business Park projects often require Planned Development Permits. The Westlake North Specific Plan lists Business Park planning areas with FAR, building coverage, and maximum heights (for example, Planning Area D: max FAR 0.55, max building coverage 35%, height ~47 ft—see Chapter 9.24 planning area tables).

MU (Multiple Use)

• Purpose: The MU Zone is for large parcels where multiple land uses will be integrated under a Specific Plan; the MU zone is implemented via a specific plan and planned development permit. § 9.11.010–9.11.020.
• Typical permitted uses: Uses permitted in RPD, CPD, and BP when authorized by an approved specific plan and planned development permit. § 9.11.020.
• Key hooks: Multiple-use parcels are subject to the specific plan’s own development standards and the city’s Article 9 chapters unless the specific plan provides otherwise. The Westlake North Specific Plan is an example where MU is designated as MU — SP No. 1 on the Zoning Map. § 9.44.010.

PI (Public / Institutional)

• Purpose: The PI Zone applies to publicly owned or quasi‑public uses (libraries, schools, government offices, utilities). § 9.12.010–9.12.020.
• Typical permitted uses: Public libraries, museums, public services, utility structures, schools, hospitals (conditional) and similar institutional uses. § 9.12.020–9.12.030.
• Key hooks: PI uses are often subject to a Planned Development Permit and the usual development chapters (9.14–9.19) as applicable.

OS (Open Space)

• Purpose: The OS Zone preserves unimproved land for natural resource protection, parks and passive recreation. § 9.13.010.
• Typical permitted uses: Trails, parks, playgrounds, flood control channels, and other non‑building open space uses; buildings are generally excluded except accessory structures and special conditional uses listed in § 9.13.020–9.13.030.
• Key hooks: Vacated private rights‑of‑way can automatically be classified OS under § 9.3.030(5); all property not otherwise classified is treated as OS until rezoned (§ 9.3.030(6)).

SP (Specific Plan) / Specific Plan zones

• Purpose: SP designations identify areas governed primarily by a Specific Plan (e.g., Westlake North Specific Plan; North Business Park Specific Plan). The ordinance places these on the Official Zoning Map with labels like MU — SP No. 1 and SP No. 2. § 9.44.010.
• Typical permitted uses & standards: The Specific Plan text (Chapter 9.24 for Westlake North) contains planning‑area level FAR, height, coverage and setbacks; it also states that project approvals must be consistent with the General Plan and the specific plan (§ 9.24.020 – 9.24.030). Examples: Planning Area D in the Westlake North plan shows max FAR 0.55, max building coverage 35%, max height 47 ft.

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant allowed uses & code refs

Practical guidance — how to use this code for decisions

• Confirm the parcel’s zone on the Official Zoning Map (the ordinance folds the map into the code; see § 9.3.020). For any uncertainty in map lines, the rules in § 9.3.030 apply and the City Council may resolve disputes.
• Cross‑check the zone chapter (e.g., § 9.5 for R-1, § 9.6 for RPD, § 9.10 for BP) for whether your intended use is permitted, accessory, or conditional.
• Consult the Code chapters referenced by each zone for dimensions and site standards: particularly Chapter 9.14 (Development Standards), Chapter 9.15 (Design Standards), Chapter 9.16 (Landscaping), Chapter 9.18 (Signs) and Chapter 9.19 (Off‑Street Parking). For example, parking requirements are handled in Chapter 9.19. Use the City’s development standards page to get the numeric setbacks and lot coverage values that apply to the zone.
• If your parcel is inside a Specific Plan area (e.g., Westlake North or North Business Park), the Specific Plan may contain site‑specific FAR, setbacks and heights that supersede generic zone figures—see Chapter 9.24 and § 9.44.010.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

• Verify parcel zone on the Official Zoning Map and read § 9.3.020–9.3.030 for boundary rules.
• Confirm whether the proposed use is Permitted, Accessory or Conditionally Permitted in the parcel’s zone (see the applicable chapter: § 9.5 R‑1, § 9.6 RPD, § 9.10 BP, § 9.9 CR, etc.).
• Check if a Planned Development Permit or Conditional Use Permit is required (see § 9.25.020 for when PD is required).
• Compile applicable development standards from Chapter 9.14 (setbacks, heights, lot coverage), Chapter 9.15 (design), Chapter 9.16 (landscaping), and Chapter 9.19 (parking). Use the city’s development standards pages and the specific plan (if applicable) for numeric standards.
• Obtain Zoning Clearance from the Planning Director (required prior to building permits except limited interior/minor exterior residential work) § 9.4.040.
• For ADUs, follow the city’s ADU rules in § 9.14.070 and reconcile them with state ADU law where applicable. See the city ADU page for ministerial checklists.
• If in a Specific Plan area, confirm consistency with the General Plan and Specific Plan entitlements (§ 9.24.020 – 9.24.030).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Westlake Village divides land into ten named zones (R‑1, RPD, MHP, CPD, CR, BP, MU, PI, OS, SP) listed in § 9.3.010 and shown on the Official Zoning Map § 9.3.020; each zone chapter explains what’s permitted and when a Planned Development or Conditional Use permit is needed, while numeric setbacks and parking rules live in the development standards and parking chapters (Chapters 9.14–9.19). Verify your parcel’s zone first, then follow the zone chapter and the development standards to determine required permits and design constraints.

Source References

• Westlake Village Zoning Ordinance (Article 9) — list of districts and map: § 9.3.010, § 9.3.020, § 9.3.030.
• R-1 zone: § 9.5.010–9.5.030.
• RPD zone: § 9.6.010–9.6.120 (RPD findings and PD permit rules).
• MHP zone: § 9.7.010–9.7.020.
• CPD / Planning Areas: See planning area tables in Chapter 9.24 (Westlake North Specific Plan) and CPD references in Article 9.
• CR zone: § 9.9.010–9.9.040 (outdoor storage prohibition).
• BP zone: § 9.10.010–9.10.050; emergency shelter standards also in § 9.10.050.
• MU and Specific Plans on the Zoning Map: § 9.11.010–9.11.020, § 9.44.010; Specific Plan standards: Chapter 9.24.
• ADU development standards: § 9.14.070.
• Planned Development Permit applicability: § 9.25.020.
• General cross‑references to development, design, landscaping, parking and signs: Chapters 9.14–9.19 (listed in multiple zone chapters).

Retrieved passages

• Westlake Village Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Westlake Village Zoning Code (Section 9.06.100) High relevance show source text
• Westlake Village Zoning Code (Section 65454) Medium relevance show source text
• Westlake Village Zoning Code (Chapter 9.25) Medium relevance show source text
• Westlake Village Zoning Code (§ 6) Medium relevance show source text
• Westlake Village Zoning Code (ARTICLE 9.) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 3 (Article and) Medium relevance show source text
• Westlake Village Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Westlake Village Zoning Code (Chapter 9.14) High relevance show source text
• Westlake Village Zoning Code (Chapter 9.14) High relevance show source text
• Westlake Village Zoning Code (CHAPTER 9.12.) High relevance show source text
• Westlake Village Zoning Code (CHAPTER 9.25.) High relevance show source text
• Westlake Village Zoning Code (Section 9.10.020) Medium relevance show source text
• Westlake Village Zoning Code (Chapter 9.15.) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Westlake Village Zoning Ordinance (Article 9) — list of districts and map: **§ 9.3.010**, **§ 9.3.020**, **§ 9.3.030**. (Article 9)
• **R-1** zone: **§ 9.5.010–9.5.030**. (§ 9.5.010)
• **RPD** zone: **§ 9.6.010–9.6.120** (RPD findings and PD permit rules). (§ 9.6.010)
• **MHP** zone: **§ 9.7.010–9.7.020**. (§ 9.7.010)
• **CPD / Planning Areas**: See planning area tables in **Chapter 9.24** (Westlake North Specific Plan) and CPD references in Article 9. (Chapter 9.24)
• **CR** zone: **§ 9.9.010–9.9.040** (outdoor storage prohibition). (§ 9.9.010)
• **BP** zone: **§ 9.10.010–9.10.050**; emergency shelter standards also in **§ 9.10.050**. (§ 9.10.010)
• **MU** and Specific Plans on the Zoning Map: **§ 9.11.010–9.11.020**, **§ 9.44.010**; Specific Plan standards: **Chapter 9.24**. fileciteturn1file11 (§ 9.11.010)
• ADU development standards: **§ 9.14.070**. (§ 9.14.070)
• Planned Development Permit applicability: **§ 9.25.020**. (§ 9.25.020)
• General cross‑references to development, design, landscaping, parking and signs: Chapters **9.14–9.19** (listed in multiple zone chapters).
• WestlakeVillage_ZoningCode.md

• Official Westlake Village code library