Permitted Structures and Development Standards in Agoura Hills
In Agoura Hills, building allowances depend on your zone. In RV districts, total site coverage (including pools and driveways) is capped at 25%. Accessory buildings are limited to 14 feet in height and must be 10 feet from main buildings. Commercial projects in CS zones have a 50% coverage limit, while OS-R zones are restricted to 10% coverage and a 35-foot height limit.
The Agoura Hills zoning code defines what can be built based on specific district classifications, ranging from residential and commercial zones to open space and water-restricted areas. Development is governed by use regulations, site coverage limits, building heights, and design standards.
General Building Definitions and Standards
All construction must adhere to the city's established definitions and design criteria:
- Building: A structure with a roof supported by columns or walls [§ 9120.2.H].
- Main Building: The primary structure used for the principal permitted use of the lot [§ 9120.2.L].
- Buildable Area: The portion of a lot remaining after all zoning requirements and setbacks have been met [§ 9120.2.G].
- Design Standards (Commercial): New commercial buildings must have a recognizable design theme, scale proportionate to the site, coordinated materials/colors, and screened equipment [§ 9304].
Residential Development Standards
Building allowances in residential districts are largely determined by site coverage and structure type.
Accessory Buildings
Accessory buildings (excluding accessory dwelling units) are subject to the following requirements:
- Location: Prohibited in minimum front and side yards, except in the Old Agoura Overlay District where they may be in the front yard if they meet specific height and coverage limits [§ 9606.A, D].
- Height: Limited to one story or 14 feet [§ 9606.B].
- Setbacks: Must be at least 10 feet from any main building or rear lot line and 5 feet from any side lot line [§ 9606.C].
- Coverage: May not occupy more than 25% of a minimum rear yard plus 40% of the buildable area [§ 9606.B].
Residential—Very Low Density (RV) District
In the RV district, the combined maximum site coverage of the main building, all accessory structures, and impermeable surfaces (driveways, patios, pools, sports courts, gazebos) must not exceed 25% [§ 9223.3].
Commercial and Manufacturing Districts
Commercial developments generally require business operations to be conducted within completely enclosed buildings or the buildable area of the lot.
- Commercial Neighborhood Center (CN): Permitted uses include commercial, service, and office uses as listed in the commercial use tables [§ 9385.1].
- Commercial Shopping Center (CS): Maximum building coverage is 50% of the total project [§ 9323.3].
- Business Park-Manufacturing (BP-M): Allows commercial, service, and incidental office uses. Retail and service uses are encouraged along parking peripheries [§ 9382.1].
- Planned Office and Manufacturing (POM): Projects must include outdoor seating/gathering areas (patios or plazas) and bike racks integrated into the site design [§ 9389.7].
Special Districts
Specific rules apply to open space, water, and park districts:
| District | Permitted Structures and Uses | Key Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Open Water (OW) | Recreation (fishing, sailing, nonpowered boating), flood control facilities, boat docks, and patio decks [§ 9462, 9462.1]. | Subject to Chapter 6 provisions. |
| Open Space-Restricted (OS-R) | Accessory buildings, ADUs, domestic animal structures, stands for agricultural products [§ 9484]. | 10% max site coverage; 35ft max height [§ 9488.3, 9488.4]. |
| Local Park (P) | Structures as established by the city council during site plan review [§ 9412]. | Subject to site-specific review. |
Overlay Districts
- Old Agoura Design Overlay (OA): Maximum building coverage is 50% of the lot (unless it is a multi-lot commercial development) [§ 9553.1].
- Affordable Housing (AH): Only uses and structures specifically listed in the AH overlay district code are permitted; all others are prohibited [§ 9524.3].