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Anaheim Municipal Code
PREFACE
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM
Title 1 ADMINISTRATION
Title 2 TAXES
Title 3 BUSINESS LICENSES*
Title 4 BUSINESS REGULATION
Title 5 BICYCLES
Title 6 PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
Title 7 MORALS AND CONDUCT
Title 8 ANIMALS
Title 9 RADIO AND ELECTRONICS
Title 10 PUBLIC SERVICE AND UTILITIES
Title 11 PUBLIC PROPERTY
Title 12 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Title 13 PARKS AND BOULEVARDS
Title 14 TRAFFIC
Title 15 BUILDINGS AND HOUSING
Title 16 FIRE
Title 17 LAND DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCES
Title 18 ZONING
STATUTORY REFERENCES FOR CALIFORNIA CITIES
TABLES
18.04.100   STRUCTURAL SETBACKS.
   .010   Setbacks for Single-Family Residential Zones.
      .0101   The minimum setbacks for single-family residential zones are shown in Table 4-I. These setbacks apply in addition to the setback and yard requirements of Sections 18.40.040 (Structural Setbacks and Yards) and 18.40.050 (Special Area Setbacks) of Chapter 18.40 (General Development Standards). Encroachments into setback areas are contained in subsection .040 below.
      .0102   Unless otherwise provided in this title, setbacks shall be measured from the ultimate right-of-way, recorded access easement, or recorded riding and hiking trails.
      .0103   In addition to the provisions of Table 4-I, a tilt-up garage door shall be set back a minimum of twenty-five (25) feet from the ultimate right-of-way line of the street used for access, and a roll-up garage door shall be set back a minimum of twenty (20) feet from the ultimate right-of-way line of the street used for access. If the underlying zone requires a greater setback, the greater setback shall be provided.
      .0104   Notwithstanding any other provision, any structure used for human habitation shall maintain a setback of not less than ten (10) feet from any riding and hiking trail easement of record.
      .0105   Notwithstanding any other provision, any enclosed detached accessory structure in excess of 120 square feet intended for habitation having finished interior, insulated ceiling and/or wall, ability to be temperature controlled, such as a guest room, recreation room, workshop, office etc. shall conform to setback requirements for the primary residence.
Table 4-I
MINIMUM SETBACKS:
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONES*
Zone
Minimum Setbacks
Table 4-I
MINIMUM SETBACKS:
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONES*
Zone
Minimum Setbacks
 
Residential Single-Family Hillside
RH-1
Front
20 feet
Side
15 feet
Rear
Same as Front
RH-2
Front
25 feet
In order to encourage varied setbacks where a tract or a minimum of one block (one side of the street) is to be developed concurrently; the setback shall be an average of 25 feet, with the minimum setback of 15 feet.
Side
10 feet (properties with legal non-conforming side-yard setbacks less than 10 feet may be expanded while maintaining such legal non-conforming setback)
All dwellings shall maintain a minimum setback of 10 feet from any private access easement of record located in the side yard.
Rear
25% of the depth of the lot, but need not exceed 25 feet
All dwellings shall maintain a minimum setback of 10 feet from any private access easement of record located in the rear yard.
RH-3
Front
20 feet
Side
6 feet for a one-story structure; two-story structures must have a combined side yard of not less than 15 feet; however, neither side shall be less than 6 feet.
All dwellings shall maintain a minimum setback of 10 feet from any private access easement of record located in the side yard.
The minimum street side setback on a reversed corner lot or reverse building frontage lot shall be 9 feet.
Rear
15 feet; all dwellings shall maintain a minimum setback of 10 feet from any private access easement of record located in the rear yard.
Residential Single-Family
RS-1
Front
30 feet or 25% of the depth of the lot, whichever is less
Side
10% of the width of the lot, except that the side setback shall not be less than 5 feet and need not exceed 10 feet.
The minimum street side setback on a reversed corner lot or reverse building frontage lot shall be 9 feet.
Rear
25 feet or 25% of the depth of the lot, whichever is less. Accessory buildings authorized to encroach into setbacks per Table 4-J, shall not occupy more than 25% of the required rear setback.
RS-2
Front
25 feet or 25% of the depth of the lot, whichever is less
Side
5 feet
The minimum street side setback on a reversed corner lot or reverse building frontage lot shall be 9 feet.
Rear
25 feet, except that the depth may be reduced to 10 feet, provided that dwellings or accessory structures shall not occupy more than 35% of the required rear setback.
RS-3
Front
15 feet
In order to encourage varied setbacks where a tract or a minimum of one block (one side of the street) is to be developed concurrently, the setback shall be an average of 15 feet with the minimum setback of 10 feet.
Side
5 feet from structures to the property line or for development of an entire tract, zero feet on one side and 10 feet on the other side, provided a minimum of 10 feet is maintained between structures on adjacent lots (the latter requirement provides for zero side yards).
The minimum street side setback on a reversed corner lot or reverse building frontage lot shall be 9 feet.
Rear
15 feet
RS-4
Front
10 feet
In order to achieve good design, the setback may be an average minimum of 10 feet, with the minimum setback of 5 feet.
Setback provisions may be modified pursuant to § 18.04.160.
Side
5 feet from structures to the property line or zero feet on one side, and 10 feet on the other side, provided a minimum of 10 feet is maintained between structures on adjacent lots (the latter requirement provides for zero side yards); 20 feet from three-story structures to the property line adjacent to a non-single family residential use or zone, subject to the Structural Height requirements in § 18.04.070.010.
The minimum street side setback on a reversed corner lot or reverse building frontage lot shall be 9 feet.
Setback provisions may be modified pursuant to § 18.04.160.
Rear
10 feet for single-story structures; 15 feet for two and three-story structures; 55 feet for three-story structure within One Hundred Fifty (150) feet of Single- Family Residential Zones. 20 feet from three-story structures to the property line adjacent to a non-single family residential use or zone, subject to the Structural Height requirements in § 18.04.070.010.
Setback provisions may be modified pursuant to 18.04.160.
Airspace (Vertical) Subdivision. For three (3) dimensional airspace subdivisions, the minimum setback between facing walls of two dwelling units shall be the combined total of the required setbacks for each building wall.
 
   .020   Other Code Provisions. The standards in this section apply in addition to the setback and yard requirements in Section 18.40.040 and the special area setbacks in Section 18.40.060 of Chapter 18.40 (General Development Standards).
   .030   Accessory Buildings and Structures. Accessory buildings or structures can be attached to a main building or be entirely detached.
      .0301   If an accessory building or structure is attached to the main building by means of a common wall, it shall comply with the requirements of this title applicable to the main building, including side and rear setbacks except as set forth in Table 4-J below.
      .0302   If an accessory building or structure is not attached to the main building, it shall be separated from the main building the minimum distance established by the Uniform Building Code, and shall comply with the provisions of subsection .040 below.
   .040   Permitted Encroachments. Allowable encroachments into the required setbacks in Table 4-I are set forth in Table 4-J, except as provided herein.
      .0401   For zones other than the RS-1 and RS-2 Zones, the cumulative square footage of all encroachments shall not exceed two hundred forty (240) square feet.
      .0402   Accessory structures, except for fences, walls and hedges that do not exceed three (3) feet in height, and pilasters/freestanding light fixtures that do not exceed four (4) feet in height, shall not encroach into a required street side setback.
      .0403   Any encroachment that conflicts with the Uniform Building Code, as adopted by the City, shall not be permitted.
Table 4-J
PERMITTED ENCROACHMENTS FOR ACCESSORY USES/STRUCTURES:
SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONES
   Y=Yes
   N=No
RH-
RS-
 
1
2
3
1
2
3
4
 
Accessory
Use/Structure
 
Permitted Encroachment
Special Provisions
Air Conditioning Units
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
*A minimum clearance of 3 feet must be maintained on at least one side yard.
Side
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Arbor/Trellis
(freestanding)
Front
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Maximum 8 feet high and constructed of fire-resistant materials approved by the Building Division. Otherwise, a 4-foot setback is required from any adjacent property line. Encroachments facing adjacent public or private streets and alleys, or adjacent to vacant lots, shall be planted and maintained with clinging vines in order to deter graffiti.
Side
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Amateur Radio Towers
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Must comply with setbacks and 18.38.040
Side
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Rear
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Awnings
Front
Maximum 4 feet
Must be permanently attached to the building and properly maintained. Must be at least 4 feet from any property line.
Side
Maximum 2 feet
Rear
Maximum 4 feet
Balconies (covered or uncovered)
Front
Maximum 30 inches
*Must be at least 10 feet from the rear property line.
Side
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Rear
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Barbeques
(built-in,
permanent)
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Maximum 5 feet high.
*A minimum clearance of 3 feet must be maintained on at least one side yard.
Side
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Basketball Courts
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Side
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Carports/Porte Cocheres
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Design features must complement main house.
No side or rear setback required for carports that are constructed with fire resistant materials approved by the Building Division. Encroachments facing adjacent public or private streets and alleys, or adjacent to vacant lots, shall be planted and maintained with clinging vines in order to deter graffiti.
Side
Y
Rear
Y
Chimneys
Front
Maximum 30 inches
*A minimum clearance of 3 feet must be maintained on at least one side yard.
Side
*Maximum 20 inches
Rear
Maximum 30 inches
Fencing/Walls
Front
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Must comply with 18.46.110
Side
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eaves/Roof Overhang, Cornices, Belt Courses, Sills and Buttresses
Front
Maximum 30 inches
Must not be closer than 4 feet to the property line.
Side
Maximum 20 inches
Rear
Maximum 30 inches
Fire Pits/Outdoor Fireplaces
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
*A minimum clearance of 3 feet must be maintained on at least one side yard.
Side
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Flag Poles
Front
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Maximum height is same as underlying zone.
*Minimum 10 feet from front property line.
**No closer than 5 feet to side or rear property line.
Side
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Rear
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Fountains and Sculptures
Front
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
*Minimum 10 feet from front property line, except minimum 5 feet from front property line in RS-3 and RS-4 Zones.
**Maximum 6 feet high.
Side
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Rear
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Garages
(detached)
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Amount of encroachment shall not exceed 450 square feet. Must be located no closer than 4 feet to property line unless constructed with fire resistant materials approved by the Building Division. Encroachments facing adjacent public or private streets and alleys, or adjacent to vacant lots, shall be planted and maintained with clinging vines in order to deter graffiti.
Side
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Rear
N
N
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Gazebos
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Maximum 10 feet high.
*Setback shall be determined by applicable Building Code requirements.
Side
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Rear
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Greenhouses
(detached)
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Maximum 8 feet high. Encroachments facing adjacent public or private streets and alleys, or adjacent to vacant lots, shall be planted and maintained with clinging vines in order to deter graffiti.
*Setback shall be determined by applicable Building Code requirements.
Side
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Rear
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Guard Railings (where required for safety by City Codes)
Front
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Side
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Light Fixtures
(for tennis or sports courts)
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Maximum 22 feet high.
Must be hooded to prevent excessive glare onto adjacent property.
Side
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Parking (Open)
Front
N*
N*
N*
N*
N*
N*
N*
*Except as provided in Chapter 18.42.
**Provided parking is screened from public right-of-way.
Side
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Rear
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Y**
Patio Covers/
Canopies
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Maximum 10 feet high.
*Setback shall be determined by applicable Building Code requirements.
Side
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Rear
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Pilasters/Light Fixtures
(freestanding)
Front
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Maximum 8 feet high decorative freestanding light fixtures and maximum 8 feet high for pilasters only, no closer than 8 feet on center.
For pilasters/light fixtures in conjunction w/fence or wall see § 18.46.110.060.0601.
Side
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Play Equipment
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Maximum 10 feet high and no closer than 5 feet to rear property line.
Side
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Pool Cabanas
(detached/semi- enclosed)
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Maximum 10 feet high.
*Setback shall be determined by applicable Building Code requirements.
Maximum 200 s.f. in size. Cabanas in excess of 200 s.f. in size are subject to Table 4-I of Section 18.04.100.
Side
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Rear
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Pool Equipment
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
*A minimum clearance of 3 feet must be maintained on at least one side yard.
Side
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Pool Rock Formations/
Waterfalls
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Maximum 8 feet high.
Must be finished if back is visible to public right-of-way or single-family residential property.
Side
Minimum of 3 feet from side property line
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Pool Slides
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Maximum 8 feet high.
Side
Minimum 5 feet to any property line
Rear
Minimum 5 feet to any property line
Pools/Spas
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Side
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Porches and At-grade Decks
Front
7'
7'
7'
7'
7'
3'
3'
If attached to a residence, decks can be no closer than 4 feet to property line unless constructed with fire resistant materials approved by the Building Division.
Side
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Satellite Dishes (freestanding, over 2 feet in diameter)
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Side
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Rear
Minimum 5 feet to rear property line
Sheds
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Sheds 120 square feet or less and up to 8 feet in height can encroach into a side and rear yard setback.
Sheds between 121 - 200 square feet and max 8 feet in height require a minimum 5-foot side and rear yard setback.
Encroachments facing adjacent public or private streets and alleys, or adjacent to vacant lots, shall be planted and maintained with clinging vines in order to deter grafitti.
Side
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Tennis Courts/
Sport Courts
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Only 1 court per lot is allowed.
Side
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Trees, Shrubs, Flowers, Plants
Front
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Side
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Water Heaters (includes tankless water heater)
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Must be screened from view.
*A minimum clearance of 3 feet must be maintained on at least one side yard.
Side
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Water Softeners
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Must be screened from view.
*A minimum clearance of 3 feet must be maintained on at least one side yard.
Side
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Y*
Rear
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Workshops
(detached)
Front
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Side
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Rear
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
 
(Ord. 5920 1 (part); June 8, 2004: Ord. 5998 § 3; October 25, 2005: Ord. 6031 §§ 3 through 5: August 22, 2006: Ord. 6101 §§ 2 (part), 3; April 22, 2008: Ord. 6116 § 2; October 14, 2008: Ord. 6169 § 1; April 27, 2010: Ord. 6218 § 1; July 19, 2011: Ord. 6286 §§ 2, 3; September 3, 2013: Ord. 6316 § 2; March 3, 2015: Ord. 6425 § 1; December 19, 2017: Ord. 6473 §§ 1, 2; December 3, 2019: Ord. 6506 § 4; February 9, 2021: Ord. 6570 §§ 3, 4; March 19, 2024.)

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