Residential Standards

Residential Development Standards by Zone

Determine the zone of your property to see what residential standards will apply for an addition, new unit, or new construction.

Download Residential Development Standards (PDF)

Residential Development Standards and Design Guidelines

On November 4, 2019, the Planning Commission approved the Residential Development Standards and Design Guidelines to improve the quality of life throughout the City's residential neighborhoods, ensure that new development is compatible with surrounding developments, and assists the public in understanding and implementing these principles.

Download Residential Development Standards and Design Guidelines (PDF)


Zoning Regulations for Residential Zones

Learn more about the primary residential zones within the City of Lawndale.

Article I - General Provisions

The R-1 zone is a Single-Family Residence Zone where the primary use is for one-family dwellings, along with supporting structures like parks or community centers. This designation is designed to maintain neighborhood character and regulate the size and placement of houses, setting standards for lot size, building height, and setbacks.

Article II - R-1 Single-Family Residential Zone

The R-2 zone is a two-family residence zone that permits a mix of single-family and two-family dwellings, such as duplexes. It also allows for other uses permitted in the R-1 single-family zone, and sometimes apartment houses, depending on specific lot conditions and adjacency to commercial zones. The purpose of the zone is to provide housing that can be a mix of single and two-family unit.

Article III - R-2 Two-Family Residential Zone

The R-3 zone is a "Limited Multiple Residence" zone that permits a mix of housing types, including single-family homes, and allows for the construction of multiple dwelling units, such as apartment buildings. This type of zoning accommodates a density of one dwelling unit per 1,320 square feet of net land area on lots of 5,000 square feet or more.

Article IV - R-3 Limited Multiple Residence Zone

The R-4 zone is an "Unlimited Residence" district that permits high-density, multiple-family housing, unlike lower-density zones for single or two-family homes. In addition to various types of multi-family dwellings, R-4 zones allow other compatible uses like schools, churches, and accessory buildings, subject to specific regulations regarding minimum unit sizes, lot coverage, and building heights

Article V - R-4 Unlimited Residence Zone


Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Regulations

Review the document below to learn about setbacks, height restrictions, maximum sizes, etc. for ADU's and Jr. ADU's.

Download ADU Development Standards (PDF)

What is an ADU?

An ADU, or Accessory Dwelling Unit, is a secondary housing unit on a single-family lot, separate from the main home. They can be attached, detached, or created by converting existing space like a garage or basement, and are used for various purposes such as rental income, housing family members, or as a home office.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Regulations

What is a Jr. ADU?

A Jr. ADU, or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU), is a small, affordable residential unit of no more than 500 square feet created within the existing walls of a single-family home. JADUs must have a separate entrance, an efficiency kitchen, and can either have their own private bathroom or share one with the primary home. A key requirement is that the owner of the primary residence must live on the property, either in the main house or the JADU.

Jr. Accessory Dwelling Unit (Jr. ADU) Regulations


Parkway Design Guidelines

Interested in redesigning your parkway? Review the City's Parkway Design Guidelines. For more information, or to obtain an encroachment permit to alter the parkway, call the Public Works Department at (310) 973-3260.

Download Parkway Design Guidelines (PDF)
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