What does the Gardena zoning code allow on an R-3 lot?
Ike Mbelu, Principal Partner · Last checked
On this page: The short answer · What the city code requires · What state law adds · What it means on your lot
The short answer
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§18.16.050
17 units an acre, 35 feet
Gardena's zoning code is Title 18 of the Gardena Municipal Code. The R-3 zone allows 12 to 17 units an acre, up to 35 feet and three stories. A fraction of half a unit or more rounds up. GMC §18.16.050. On a typical LA County lot, that is two to four units.
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What the city code requires
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01
Setbacks
Front 20 feet. Sides and rear 5 feet for one or two stories, 7.5 feet at three stories, 10 feet next to R-1 or R-2. GMC §18.16.050.G.
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02
Lot size
Minimum lot is 5,000 square feet, 50 feet wide (55 on a corner) and 80 feet deep. GMC §18.16.050.A to C.
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03
Open space and unit size
600 square feet of usable open space per unit, at least a quarter of it private. Units start at 400 square feet. GMC §18.16.050.E and J.
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04
Parking
Two spaces per unit in an enclosed garage, plus half a guest space per unit. GMC §18.40.040.A and §18.40.070.A.
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05
Approval path
Multifamily is permitted, subject to site plan review under Chapter 18.44. GMC §18.16.020.B.
What state law adds
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01
ADUs on a multifamily lot
New building: up to two detached ADUs. Existing building: up to eight detached, capped at the existing unit count, plus interior conversions up to 25 percent of units. Gov. Code §66323. See Gardena ADU rules.
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02
No parking minimum near transit
Within half a mile of public transit, the city can't impose a minimum parking count. Gov. Code §65863.2(a). More in AB 2097 in Los Angeles.
What it means on your lot
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01
50 by 100, 5,000 sf
About two units, plus up to two detached ADUs if the building is new.
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02
50 by 150, 7,500 sf
About three units, before a density bonus. That means roughly six garage spaces, one or two guest stalls and 1,800 square feet of open space.
Approximate arithmetic, not legal advice. Gardena's R-3 runs lower than Hawthorne's R-3; the city's R-4, R-6 and Housing Overlay zones allow more. More on building in Gardena.
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