Laguna Hills, CA Zoning Ordinance

§ 9-12.010 Purpose and intent.

The estate residential district is established to provide for low density, rural, and equestrian oriented residential neighborhoods in hillside areas. This district is characterized by large lot single family homes permitting large animal husbandry.

(Prior code § 9-07.010; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part))

§ 9-12.020 Permitted uses.

Table 9-12.020 contains a listing of permitted uses, and accessory uses within the district. Uses in the table are permitted subject to the permit criteria referenced. Any use not included shall be considered prohibited.

Table 9-12.020 ESTATE RESIDENTIAL USES
Uses	Permitted	Accessory	Reference
Accessory dwelling unit	P		See Chapter 9-68
Accessory structure		P	See Chapter 9-70
Animals/pets	♦	♦	See Chapter 9-56
Apiary		P	Subject to Section 9-12.060
Athletic fields	S
Church/temple	C
Communication facility	♦		See Chapter 9-58
Community care facility	♦		See Chapter 9-64
Construction office	T
Drainage facility		P
Dwelling, single-family detached	P
Equitation facility	C
Family day care – large	♦		See Chapter 9-64
Family day care – small	♦		See Chapter 9-64
Fire/police station	C
Game court		♦	See Chapter 9-70
Garage and/or yard sales	♦		See Chapter 9-62
Green house		P
Guest quarters/guest house		P
Home occupation	♦		See Chapter 9-60
Library, public	C
Manufactured home	S
Mobilehome	S
Park, public/private	S
Recreation facility, private		P
Recreational vehicle storage, private		P
Riding club	C
Riding and hiking trails	P
School, private	C
School, public	C
Senior center	C
Stable, private		P
Supportive housing	♦		See Chapter 9-64
Swim club	C
Tennis club	C
Transitional housing	♦		See Chapter 9-64
Wholesale nurseries	C

Note: Use is permitted subject to issuance of:

C = Conditional use permit (CUP)

S = Site development permit (SDP)

T = Temporary Use Permit (TUP)

P = Permitted

♦ = Special requirements

(Prior code § 9-07.020; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part); Ord. 2002-1 Exh. A § 3 (part); Ord. 2003-5 Exh. A § C; Ord. 2011-4 § 1 (Exh. A (part)); Ord. 2012-5 § 6; Ord. 2018-3 § 6; Ord. 2018-7 § 5)

§ 9-12.030 Applicable areas.

The regulations and standards contained in this section shall apply to all properties designated as estate residential on the city zoning map.

(Prior code § 9-07.030; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part))

§ 9-12.040 Animal husbandry.

Large animal husbandry is permitted by this zone. Chapter 9-56 of this code prescribes standards for the keeping of animals. While large animals are permitted, it is not the purpose to establish standard agricultural pursuits within this district. It is consistent with the intent of this zone to allow limited commercial boarding, care provision and breeding facilities, and maintenance of private stables provided such properties meet required standards of this code.

(Prior code § 9-07.040; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part))

§ 9-12.050 Standards.

The standards applicable to this district are shown within Table 9-12.050. Some estate residential properties may be further limited as to use or development due to application of hillside design requirements as contained in Chapter 9-50 of this code.

Table 9-12.050 ESTATE RESIDENTIAL ZONING STANDARDS
Item	Standard
Minimum lot size	10,000 sq. ft.
Minimum lot width:
Standard lot	80 ft.
Cul-de-sac	30 ft.
Flag lot	20 ft.
Minimum lot depth	100 ft.
Maximum lot coverage	35%
Maximum density	0 – 3.5 DUs/AC (gross)
Maximum building height	35 ft.
Minimum front yard setback	20 ft. from ultimate right-of-way 15 ft. from access connection to main lot for flag lots
Minimum side yard setback:
Interior	8 ft.
Street	10 ft.
Flag lot	10 ft.
Minimum rear yard setback:
Standard lot	25 ft.
Through lot	25 ft.
Cul-de-sac/gore shaped lots	15 ft.
Minimum building separation:
Main→Main	10 ft.
Main→Accessory	2.5 ft.
Accessory→Accessory	2.5 ft.
Parking standards	See Chapter 9-44
Signs	See Chapter 9-42

(Prior code § 9-07.050; Ord. 98-8 § 2 (part))

§ 9-12.060 Keeping of bees.

Apiaries, as defined in Section 9-04.010, are permitted on single-family residential property within the Estate Residential zoning district subject to the following provisions:

It shall be unlawful for any person to have, keep, or maintain any apiary pursuant to this section unless the owner of the apiary first registers the apiary with the city. Apiary registrations are issued by the Community Development Director. Registrations must be renewed annually. New registrations shall be accompanied by the apiary registration fee, established by resolution of the City Council. Any registration can be revoked by the Community Development Director when an apiary owner fails to maintain the apiary in accordance with the property maintenance standards related to apiaries contained in Chapter 9-74.

The notification of all property owners and tenants of abutting properties is required prior to the issuance of any new apiary registration. The city shall mail the notice and shall issue the registration ten days following such notice, unless, pursuant to Section 9-74.050(S)(8), a resident of an abutting property presents evidence of a medically certified severe allergy (anaphylaxis) to the sting of honey bees.

All apiaries shall be maintained in accordance with the backyard beekeeping administrative regulations. The backyard beekeeping administrative regulations are administrative regulations established by the Community Development Director intended to provide guidance, instruction, and operational requirements to avoid nuisance issues arising from improper siting or management of an apiary due to lack of knowledge or neglect.

(Ord. 2018-3 § 7)