Residential Standards

Residential Development Standards by Property Zone

Check your property’s zone to find the residential standards for additions, new units, or new construction.

Download Residential Development Standards (PDF) (670 KB)

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 help the public understand and apply these principles.

Download Residential Development Standards and Design Guidelines (PDF) (1.45 MB)


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 this zone is to allow a mix of single- and two-family housing.

Article III - R-2 Two-Family Residential Zone

The R-3 zone, or ‘Limited Multiple Residence,’ permits a mix of housing types, including single-family homes, and allows construction of multiple dwelling units such as apartment buildings. This zone allows one dwelling unit per 1,320 square feet of net land area on lots of at least 5,000 square feet.

Article IV - R-3 Limited Multiple Residence Zone

The R-4 zone, or ‘Unlimited Residence,’ permits high-density, multi-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 for information on setbacks, height limits, maximum sizes, and other requirements for ADUs and JADUs.

Download ADU Development Standards (PDF) (137 KB)

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. ADUs may be attached, detached, or created by converting existing spaces such as garages or basements. They can serve as rental units, housing for family members, or home offices.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Regulations

What is a JADU?

A JADU, 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 (JADU) Regulations


Parkway Design Guidelines

Planning to redesign your parkway? Review the City’s Parkway Design Guidelines.

For more information or to obtain an encroachment permit, contact the Public Works Department at (310) 973-3260.

Download Parkway Design Guidelines (PDF) (860 KB)
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