Santa Clarita Zoning Overview

Santa Clarita is the third-largest city in Los Angeles County with a population of approximately 228,000. The city manages land use through its Unified Development Code (UDC), adopted in 2013 as Title 17 of the Municipal Code. Unlike many California cities that use traditional R-1/C-1 zone codes, Santa Clarita uses a distinctive system of Non-Urban (NU), Urban Residential (UR), Commercial (CC/CN/CR), Business Park (BP), and Industrial (I) zones.

The UDC divides the city into zones that regulate permitted uses, building heights, lot sizes, setbacks, and density. The city also has several Special Standards Districts — including Happy Valley, Placerita Canyon, and Sand Canyon — that impose additional development requirements in specific areas.

Key Zoning Districts

Non-Urban Zones (NU1–NU5)

Non-Urban zones cover areas with environmental constraints, limited access, or rural character. Density ranges from 0.05 du/acre (NU1, 20-acre minimum lots) to 1.0 du/acre (NU5, 1-acre minimum lots). All NU zones share the same setbacks: 20 ft front, 5 ft sides, 15 ft rear, with a 35 ft height limit.

Urban Residential Zones (UR1–UR5)

Urban Residential zones accommodate the city's neighborhoods:

• UR1 — Transition between higher-density and rural areas (2 du/acre, 20,000 sq ft min lot)
• UR2 — Typical single-family neighborhoods (5 du/acre, 5,000 sq ft min lot)
• UR3 — Single-family attached/detached plus small multifamily (11 du/acre)
• UR4 — Mixed residential, detached and attached (18 du/acre)
• UR5 — Medium-high density apartments and condos (18–30 du/acre)

All UR zones share setbacks of 20 ft front, 5 ft sides, 15 ft rear, and a 35 ft height limit.

Commercial and Industrial Zones

• CN (Neighborhood Commercial) — Small-scale retail and services, 0.50 FAR
• CC (Community Commercial) — Community-serving commercial, 0.75 FAR, residential up to 18 du/acre
• CR (Regional Commercial) — Large-scale regional centers, 2.0 FAR, residential 18–50 du/acre
• BP (Business Park) — Office and research uses, 2.0 FAR
• I (Industrial) — Manufacturing and warehousing, 1.0 FAR

All commercial and industrial zones require a 25-foot setback from adjacent residential zones. Buildings over 2 stories or 35 feet require a Conditional Use Permit.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Under California Government Code Section 65852.2, Santa Clarita allows ADUs on most residential lots:

• Detached ADU: Up to 850 sq ft (0–1 bedroom) or 1,000 sq ft (2+ bedrooms)
• Attached ADU: Up to 50% of existing residence or 1,200 sq ft, whichever is less
• JADU (Junior ADU): Up to 500 sq ft, must be within existing structure
• Setbacks: 4 ft minimum from side and rear property lines
• Height: Up to 16 ft standard; up to 25 ft for attached ADUs
• Parking: 1 space per ADU (exceptions near transit)
• Rental restriction: Must be rented for terms longer than 30 days

Development Process

1. Zoning Verification — Confirm your property's zone using the city's GIS maps or by contacting Planning at (661) 255-4330
2. Pre-Application Meeting — Recommended for larger projects
3. Site Plan Review — Required for commercial and multifamily projects
4. Building Permit — Submit construction documents to the Building Division
5. Inspections — Schedule required inspections during construction
6. Certificate of Occupancy — Obtain final approval before occupying the structure

For projects not conforming to existing zoning, property owners may seek a variance, conditional use permit, or zone change through the Planning Commission.

Key Considerations

• Santa Clarita uses two official web domains: santa-clarita.com (older) and santaclarita.gov (newer) — both are legitimate city websites
• Check for Special Standards District regulations in Happy Valley, Placerita Canyon, and Sand Canyon
• The city has a Vehicle Services Overlay (VS) that applies additional standards to auto-related businesses
• Verify whether your property is in a FEMA flood zone using the FEMA Flood Map Service
• Check HOA covenants and deed restrictions for additional requirements beyond city zoning

Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about zoning in Santa Clarita and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Zoning codes are subject to change. Always verify current regulations with the Santa Clarita Planning Division at (661) 255-4330 or review the Unified Development Code before making development decisions.