Whittier MED zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

MED (Medical Zone) is a zoning district in Whittier. Every value below was read from the Whittier 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 MED

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	125 feet § 18.37.030 · code text Table row “Primary Structures”, column “MED”: 125 feet See section B below for height limitations on lots abutting single-family residential uses or zones which permit single-family residential uses
Minimum front setback	10 feet § 18.37.030 · code text Table row “Front”, column “MED”: 10 feet minimum for buildings with direct and primary pedestrian access oriented toward Whittier Boulevard 15 feet minimum for buildings oriented toward any other street
Minimum side setback	10 feet Applies: adjacent to residential uses: 10 ft for the first 30 ft of building height, plus 5 ft for each additional 30 ft or fraction § 18.37.030 · code text Table row “Side - Interior”, column “MED”: 10 feet minimum Adjacent to residential uses: 10 feet minimum for first 30 feet of building height, then an additional 5 feet for each additional 30 feet of building height or fraction thereof
Minimum rear setback	5 feet § 18.37.030 · code text Table row “Rear”, column “MED”: 5 feet minimum Adjacent to residential uses: 25 feet minimum
Maximum lot coverage	80% Applies: Provided all setback, parking, and landscaping requirements are met § 18.37.030 · code text Table row “Lot Coverage”, column “MED”: Maximum 80 percent, provided all setback, parking, and landscaping requirements are met
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	3.0 FAR § 18.37.030 · code text Table row “Maximum”, column “MED”: 3.0 FAR

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in MED:

Minimum front setback: 15 feet — Buildings oriented toward any other street § 18.37.030
Minimum side setback: 10 feet minimum for first 30 feet of building height, then an additional 5 feet for each additional 30 feet of building height or fraction thereof — Adjacent to residential uses § 18.37.030
Minimum rear setback: 25 feet — Adjacent to residential uses § 18.37.030

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, lot size, density limit for MED in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Whittier Municipal Code.

Other Whittier zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Whittier's MED zone?

125 feet — Whittier Municipal Code § 18.37.030.

What is the minimum front setback in Whittier's MED zone?

10 feet — Whittier Municipal Code § 18.37.030.

What is the minimum side setback in Whittier's MED zone?

10 feet (adjacent to residential uses: 10 ft for the first 30 ft of building height, plus 5 ft for each additional 30 ft or fraction) — Whittier Municipal Code § 18.37.030.

What is the minimum rear setback in Whittier's MED zone?

5 feet — Whittier Municipal Code § 18.37.030.

What is the maximum lot coverage in Whittier's MED zone?

80% (provided all setback, parking, and landscaping requirements are met) — Whittier Municipal Code § 18.37.030.

General information, not legal advice.