Lot and Density Standards

Minimum Lot Size (sf)

10,000

40,000

40,000

40,000

20,000

20,000

Minimum Lot Width (ft)

60

100

100

100

100

100

Minimum Lot Depth (ft)

100

200

200

200

100

100

Building Form and Location

Minimum Residential Density (units/acre)

–

–

–

30

10

–

Maximum Residential Density (units/acre)

–

Up to 301

–

50

30

–

Maximum Floor Area Ratio

0.5

1.0

1.5; 2.0 for hotels/lodging

2.0

2.0

1.0

Maximum Height (ft)/Stories – Primary Structure

35/2 stories

55/4 stories; 85/7 stories for lodging uses

65/5 stories; 85/7 stories for lodging uses

85/7 stories

65/5 stories

50/4 stories

•

Projects must comply with both stories and overall height maximums. See PMC § 17.17.030 (Measuring heights).

•

Architectural features may project above the maximum height by five feet. Architectural features include rooftop stair access and elevator shafts, mechanical equipment, or other rooftop amenities, as approved by the Director.

Maximum Height (ft) – Accessory Structures

25

25

25

25

25

25

Maximum Height Adjacent to Residential Zones

Starting from the third floor up, step back each subsequent floor by 15 ft for every two floors.

See Figure 17.38.060-1 (Transitions to Lower Density Building Types)

Distance between Structures (sf)

Minimum required by building and fire code.

Setbacks – Minimums (ft)

Front

5

10

10

10

10

10

•

Minimum front setback shall be landscaped excluding driveways.

•

No parking allowed in minimum setback area.

Street Side

5

10

10

10

10

10

•

No parking allowed in minimum setback area.

Interior Side

0; 10 abutting a residential zone

10; 25 abutting a residential zone

10; 25 abutting a residential zone

10; 25 abutting a residential zone

10; 25 abutting a single-family residential zone

10; 20 abutting a residential zone

Rear

10; 20 abutting a residential zone

10; 25 abutting a residential zone

10; 25 abutting a residential zone

10; 25 abutting a residential zone

10; 25 abutting a single-family residential zone

10; 20 abutting a residential zone

Alley (when present)

5

5

5

5

5

5

Open Space Standards

Minimum Open Space

3% of gross floor area

5% of lot (must be publicly accessible)

5% of lot (must be publicly accessible)

Residential Component: 200 sf total per unit; minimum 100 sf of private open space for ground-level units and 60 sf of private open space for upper-level units

Nonresidential: 3% of gross floor area

Residential Component: 200 sf total per unit; minimum 100 sf of private open space for ground-level units and 60 sf of private open space for upper-level units

Nonresidential: 5% of lot area (must be publicly accessible); if the open space is over 1,000 square feet, up to 50 percent may be counted towards the required residential common open space.

3% of gross floor area

Common open space includes roof decks and other shared common open areas. Minimum open space dimension is 20 feet in either direction. Setback areas are not considered usable open space unless they are at least 20 feet wide. See PMC § 17.49.060(M) (Common Open Space Design).

Minimum Landscaping (% of lot)

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

Includes required setbacks. 25% must be live plant material. See PMC § 17.86.010 (Landscaping requirements).

Other Standards

See additional standards in PMC Chapter 17.49 (Supplemental Standards), Division 8 (General Development Standards), Division 9 (Special Regulations), Division 10 (Environmental Management), and the Palmdale Multifamily and Mixed-Use Design Standards (Adopted by Ordinance No. 1594).