Palos Verdes Estates
City Zoning Code

The following uses are permitted in the R-1 zone:

The following uses may be permitted in the R-1 zone if a conditional use permit is obtained in the manner prescribed by this code:

The following uses are prohibited in the R-1 zone:

In the R-1 single-family residence zone there shall be at least two accessible automobile storage spaces in an enclosed garage for each single-family residence; provided, that on lots or parcels of land having an area of twelve thousand square feet or less such private garage shall not exceed an aggregate total capacity for more than three automobiles.

The maximum building height in the R-1 zone shall be two and one-half stories; provided, however, that in no event shall any building exceed thirty feet in height at any point above natural grade at that point. On a downslope lot with a single street frontage, where the slope of the lot measured from a plane defined by the two front corners of the lot and the natural grade at either of the rear corners of the building exceeds two and one-half to one, the height of the building may be one additional story and may be thirty-five feet in height at any point above natural grade at that point, so long as it does not exceed a height of sixteen feet above the centerline of the street directly in front of that same point.

In the R-1 single-family residence zone:

No above-ground utility meters and appurtenant electrical distribution devices shall be erected in the required front yard, as defined in this chapter, unless a special permit is applied for and obtained from the planning commission.

Except as set forth in PVEMC § 18.04.100, no building in the R-1 zone shall be erected nearer to either the front property line of the building site or the line of any future street as shown on the official street plan than is permitted by the covenants of record on each and every tract within the city on file in the office of the county recorder of Los Angeles County as of July 27, 1993. Notwithstanding the foregoing, incidental architectural features, including but not limited to eaves, fireplaces and bay windows, may intrude into a front yard setback, provided such intrusion does not exceed forty percent of the front yard setback distance otherwise required by this section or five feet, whichever is less.

Except as set forth in PVEMC § 18.04.100, no building in the R-1 zone shall be erected nearer to the side property lines of the building site than is permitted by the covenants of record on each and every tract within the city on file in the office of the county recorder of Los Angeles County as of July 27, 1993; provided, however, that in no case shall the side yard setback be less than five feet for a one-story building, or seven feet for a two-story building, or eight feet for a two-and-one-half-story building. Notwithstanding the foregoing, incidental architectural features, including but not limited to eaves, fireplaces and bay windows, may intrude into a side yard setback, provided such intrusion does not exceed forty percent of the side yard setback distance otherwise required by this section or five feet, whichever is less.

Except as set forth in PVEMC § 18.04.100, no building in the R-1 zone shall be erected nearer to the rear property line of the building site than is permitted by the covenants of record on each and every tract within the city on file in the office of the county recorder of Los Angeles County as of July 27, 1993. Notwithstanding the foregoing, incidental architectural features, including but not limited to eaves, fireplaces and bay windows, may intrude into a rear yard setback, provided such intrusion does not exceed forty percent of the rear yard setback distance otherwise required by this section or five feet, whichever is less.

In the R-1 single-family residence zone, in no case shall more than thirty percent of any lot or building site be covered by buildings. In no case shall more than sixty-five percent of any lot be covered by permanent structures and pavement, including buildings as well as driveways and walkways or other similar features.

The public works director may reduce the sixty-five percent lot coverage permitted on any lot where he finds that such reduction is necessary to avoid the proposed development having an adverse impact on the city’s storm drain system.

For purposes of this section, building coverage is determined by floor area, as measured from the outside of a building’s surrounding exterior walls including any cantilevered or subterranean floor area extending beyond a building’s ground level footprint, garages, and accessory buildings. For purposes of this section, floor area shall include the area of all enclosed rooms regardless of ceiling height.

Except in multiple-dwelling developments or where otherwise provided in this title or PVEMC Title 17, every dwelling in the R-1 zone shall face or front upon a street or permanent means of access to a street, and in no event shall any dwelling face or front upon an alley.

Every dwelling erected after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title and PVEMC Title 17 in any R-1 district shall have a minimum ground floor area of not less than twelve hundred square feet, exclusive of unroofed porches, and its architecture and general appearance shall be in keeping with the character of the neighborhood and such as not to be detrimental to the general welfare of the community in which it is located.

In the R-1 single-family residence zone, the maximum floor area allowable shall be the lesser of thirty percent of the lot area plus one thousand seven hundred fifty square feet or fifty percent of the lot area. The square footage of a cellar shall be excluded in calculating the floor area of a building.

Notwithstanding the provisions of PVEMC §§ 18.04.030, 18.04.105 and 18.04.140, remodel or repair of any lawfully constructed building, structure or feature may be undertaken even if such remodeling or repairing involves structural alteration, provided the building was constructed before June 14, 1988, and the remodeling or repair does not extend or enlarge the exterior of the building, structure or feature.

Structures, additions to structures, grading, stairways, pools, tennis courts, spas or solid fences may be constructed on private property on, or within fifty feet of, the bluff edge only after preparation of a geologic report and findings by the city that the proposed structure, addition, grading, stairway, pool, tennis court, spa, and/or solid fence: