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Council reintroduces residential height limits; sets house ridge at 21 feet, barn ridge at 23 feet for next hearing
Summary
After extended debate over views, massing and HOA rules, the council reintroduced an amendment to municipal code height limits and set a proposed ridge height of 21 feet for single‑story residences and 23 feet for stables/barns for final consideration at a subsequent meeting.
The Rolling Hills Estates City Council on Tuesday reintroduced changes to Chapter 17.16 of the municipal code that set maximum ridge heights for single‑story residential buildings and accessory barns, and clarified language about lofts and other architectural exceptions. After a lengthy discussion about neighborhood character, view impacts and HOA differences, the council settled on a draft that sets a 21‑foot maximum ridge height for single‑story residences and a 23‑foot maximum for stables and barns, and sent the ordinance back for a second reading at the next meeting.
City staff presented revised ordinance language drafted with the city attorney to reduce ambiguity in the code’s measurement rules (finished floor to finished grade, averaging rules across the lot, and maximum permitted differences). Council members debated the tradeoffs between allowing roof and plate height for flexible design and preventing larger single‑story masses that could block views. Several council members said they favored having a clear city‑wide standard to avoid ad hoc or inconsistent outcomes under differing CC&Rs.
Council member discussion noted that some homeowners’ association covenants historically set heights of 25 feet for many properties while others set no limit, producing inconsistent expectations for applicants and neighbors. Planning‑commission analysis and a city excerpt of recent built ridge heights were referenced in the discussion.
The council voted to reintroduce the ordinance as amended and to place the draft on the next meeting agenda for a second reading. The motion included the city attorney’s clarifying language tying loft/storage exceptions specifically to the one‑story limitation (so the exception does not add to the absolute maximum ridge height).
Formal action: By roll call vote the council approved reintroduction of the amended ordinance language and the 21‑foot house / 23‑foot barn ridge‑height figures for a second reading. The roll call recorded four votes in favor and one no; the ordinance will return for the required second reading and final action at the next council meeting.
