Every property in Redondo Beach is assigned a zoning designation that determines what you can build, how tall it can be, and how the land can be used. Zoning is the single biggest factor in what happens to your neighborhood — whether a lot next door becomes a single-family home, a duplex, or a four-story apartment building. Understanding how it works gives you a real say in your city's future.
What is zoning?
Zoning is a set of rules that divides the city into districts, each with specific regulations about what can be built there. Think of it as the city's master rulebook for land use. It controls building height, how much of a lot you can cover, how far structures must be set back from property lines, and whether a property can be used for housing, businesses, or both.
Redondo Beach's zoning code is part of the Municipal Code, available online through the city's code portal. The Planning Division within the Community Development Department is responsible for administering and enforcing zoning rules.
Redondo Beach's residential zones
The city has several residential zone designations, each allowing different housing types and densities. The main residential zones include R-1 (Single-Family Residential), which allows one detached home per lot and is the most restrictive; R-2 (Two-Family Residential), which permits duplexes or two units per lot; R-3 (Multi-Family Residential), which allows apartments and condos at higher densities; R-L (Residential Low), a low-density designation; and R-H (Residential High), which allows multi-family housing at up to 65 dwelling units per acre.
The zone assigned to your property determines everything from whether you can add a second unit to how tall your fence can be. Most of Redondo Beach's residential neighborhoods are zoned R-1, but pockets of R-2 and R-3 exist throughout the city, particularly along major corridors and near commercial areas.
Commercial and mixed-use zones
Beyond residential zones, the city has commercial designations (C-1, C-2, C-3) and waterfront-specific zones around King Harbor. Commercial zones allow retail, restaurants, offices, and other businesses, with varying intensity levels. The waterfront area has its own special zoning that reflects the unique character of the pier and harbor district.
As part of the Housing Element update, the city is introducing new mixed-use designations — MU-H (Mixed Use – High) and MU-TCH (Mixed Use – Town Center High) — that will allow residential and commercial uses on the same property. These new zones are being created to meet state housing requirements, with allowed densities reaching 65 to 80 dwelling units per acre in designated areas.
Key development standards
Each zone comes with specific development standards that control the size and placement of buildings. The most important ones to understand are setbacks (minimum distance from property lines), height limits, lot coverage (percentage of the lot a building can occupy), and floor area ratio or FAR (total building square footage relative to lot size).
For example, R-1 zones typically have front setbacks around 20 feet, side setbacks of 5 to 10 feet, and height limits of 25 to 30 feet. R-3 zones allow greater height and density with reduced setbacks. The exact numbers vary — always verify the specific standards for your property's zone by calling the Planning Division at (310) 318-0637 or checking the city's zoning code online.
How to look up your property's zoning
The city provides a free interactive zoning map that lets you look up any address. Visit the Planning Division page on redondo.org and click through to the ArcGIS-based zoning map. Enter your address and the map will show your property's zone designation, along with nearby zones for context.
You can also call the Planning Division directly at (310) 318-0637 or schedule an appointment through their online booking system. Counter hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM, and alternating Fridays. Staff can tell you exactly what's allowed on your property and whether any overlays or special conditions apply.
Design review and the Planning Commission
Some projects require design review before you can get a building permit. This is a separate process from the building permit itself — it evaluates whether your project fits the character of the neighborhood in terms of scale, materials, and architectural style.
The Planning Commission is the city body that reviews zoning changes, conditional use permits, variances, and design review applications. They meet regularly (typically at 6:30 PM) and their hearings are open to the public. For major projects, the Planning Commission makes a recommendation that then goes to the City Council for final approval. Some decisions, like conditional use permits, are made by the commission directly — they have quasi-judicial authority on certain land use matters.
The Housing Element: big changes ahead
Redondo Beach is in the middle of a significant zoning update driven by state housing law. The city adopted its current Housing Element (the state-required plan for housing development) in July 2022, and a proposed amendment is now replacing the original “overlay” zoning approach with actual rezoning. For a full breakdown, see our Housing Element explainer.
The key changes include creating the new MU-H and MU-TCH mixed-use zones, requiring a minimum 50% residential floor area on housing sites, and increasing allowed residential densities from 55 to 65 and 80 dwelling units per acre depending on location. These changes are being driven by the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) — the state's mandate for how many housing units each city must plan for. Public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council were scheduled for spring 2026. You can submit comments to RBHousingElement@redondo.org.
What this means for you
Whether you're a homeowner planning a renovation, a developer eyeing a project, or a resident wondering what's happening on your block, zoning is the framework that shapes it all. Before starting any project, check your zoning first. Before opposing or supporting a neighborhood development, understand what the zoning actually allows. And when the city proposes zoning changes — like the Housing Element update — show up to the public hearings, because those decisions will determine what Redondo Beach looks like for the next decade.
For zoning questions, contact the Planning Division at (310) 318-0637 or email PlanningRedondo@redondo.org. The department is located at 415 Diamond Street.