Huntington Beach, CA Zoning

RL Low Density Residential District

Low-density residential district intended mainly for single-family neighborhoods, with cluster development also allowed.

Allowed uses: Single-family residential, Day care, limited, Some multifamily residential subject to permit, Residential care facility, Group homes and supportive/transitional housing subject to limitations

RM Medium Density Residential District

Medium-density residential district intended for a wider range of housing, including duplexes, triplexes, town houses, apartments, multi-dwelling structures, cluster housing, and some single-family formats such as patio homes.

Allowed uses: Single-family residential, 2 - 4 unit multifamily residential, 5 - 9 unit multifamily residential subject to Zoning Administrator approval, 10 or more units subject to Planning Commission approval, Day care, limited

RMH Medium High Density Residential District

More intensive residential district than RM, but below the city's highest-density residential category. Includes the RMH-A Small Lot subdistrict with separate standards.

Allowed uses: Single-family residential, 2 - 4 unit multifamily residential, 5 - 9 unit multifamily residential subject to Zoning Administrator approval, 10 or more units subject to Planning Commission approval, Group residential subject to Planning Commission approval

RH High Density Residential District

Highest-intensity residential district in the city, intended for apartments, including garden-type complexes and high-rise development where scenic and view potential exists.

Allowed uses: Single-family residential, 2 - 4 unit multifamily residential, 5 - 9 unit multifamily residential subject to Zoning Administrator approval, 10 or more units subject to Planning Commission approval, Group residential subject to Planning Commission approval

RMP Residential Manufactured Home Park District

District intended for mobile home or manufactured home parks, including parks with rental spaces and parks where spaces are individually owned.

Allowed uses: Single-family residential, Manufactured home parks subject to Zoning Administrator approval, Day care, limited, Residential care facility

Group Homes Including Sober Living Homes

Group homes, including sober living homes, are allowed in all listed residential districts subject to limitation L-8 rather than broad by-right approval.

• Subject to limitation 8 in the residential use table
• A 2020 city ordinance established a permitting process for all types of group home facilities
• A 2025 zoning text amendment under review would prohibit certain operators from applying or reapplying for permits for five years after denial or revocation

Supportive Housing

Supportive housing is listed in all residential districts subject to limitation L-7.

• Subject to limitation 7 in the residential use table
• Specific L-7 standards were not included in the supplied excerpt

Transitional Housing

Transitional housing is listed in all residential districts subject to limitation L-7.

• Subject to limitation 7 in the residential use table
• Specific L-7 standards were not included in the supplied excerpt

Manufactured Home Parks

Manufactured home parks are allowed with Zoning Administrator approval in RL, RM, and RMP, but not allowed in RMH and RH under the provided table.

• Requires Zoning Administrator approval where allowed
• Additional provisions (E)(F) apply, but were not included in the supplied excerpt

Residential Care Facility

Residential care facilities are shown as P/PC across the listed residential districts, meaning they are generally permitted but may require a conditional use permit when the primary use requires one.

• Shown as P/PC in the residential use table
• Additional provision (T) applies, but was not included in the supplied excerpt

FP Floodplain Overlay District

Citywide floodplain overlay established to implement floodplain management regulations in all areas of special flood hazard.

FP1 Subdistrict

Floodway-related subdistrict for the area designated as a floodway or right-of-way necessary for implementation of the Santa Ana River Channel Plan by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

FP2 Subdistrict

Subdistrict for FEMA FIRM areas A, AE, AO, and AH, and any other area determined by the Director to be subject to similar flood hazards.

FP3 Subdistrict

Subdistrict for FEMA FIRM areas V or VE, and any other area determined by the Director to be subject to similar flood hazard.

How tall can buildings be in Huntington Beach, CA?

Height limits are set per district — Residential districts: 35 feet; Residential districts: exceeding 30 feet.

What are the parking requirements in Huntington Beach, CA?

Parking minimums vary by use — All uses: Not provided in the supplied excerpt; Nonresidential uses with nonconforming parking: Additional parking required for the expansion or intensification; Multifamily residential with nonconforming parking: Expansion must comply with current standards contained in the chapter; Single-family residence with nonconforming parking: Expansion must comply with current standards contained in the chapter.

What zoning districts are in Huntington Beach, CA?

Huntington Beach, CA includes districts such as RL Low Density Residential District, RM Medium Density Residential District, RMH Medium High Density Residential District, RH High Density Residential District, RMP Residential Manufactured Home Park District.

Are there flood zones or overlay districts in Huntington Beach, CA?

Flood hazard is the clearest environmental constraint identified in the supplied Huntington Beach sources. The city has a formal floodplain overlay tied to FEMA special flood hazard areas, including both inland and coastal/high-wave hazard subdistricts, which can materially affect permitting, construction standards, an…

Have there been recent zoning changes in Huntington Beach, CA?

The clearest recent zoning-related item in the provided sources is a 2025 zoning text amendment concerning group home operators. Based on the Planning Commission meeting transcript, the amendment was presented as a proposal to add a five-year bar on reapplying for permits after denial or revocation for operators covere…