South Pasadena

A small, historic, tree-lined city with strong preservation politics.

Snapshot

Population

26,068

US Census ACS, 2024 / FBI UCR Table 8, 2024

Median home price

$1,648,909

Redfin, 2026-08

Median rent

$2,284/mo

US Census ACS, 2024

Crime / 1k

27.2

FBI UCR Table 8, 2024

Median sale price, year over year: -8.4% (falling)Redfin, 2026-08
5-year crime trend: +15.5% (rising)FBI UCR, 2019→2024

Market

Price / sq ft

$947

Redfin, 2026-08

Months of supply

2.6

Redfin, 2026-08

Median days on market

31

Redfin, 2026-08

Renter-occupied

56%

US Census ACS, 2024

Median household income

$127,175

US Census ACS, 2024

Housing units

10,817

US Census ACS, 2024

Developments

What you can build here — ADU

City departmentCoastal/Historic OverlayVHFHSZ

Typical SFR: primary + converted ADU + new ADU + JADU (up to 4). Detached new 1,200 SQFT; attached 850-1,000. Historic properties: 1-story / 16 ft height limit. State fee exemptions apply. 60-day ministerial clock.

§36.350.200. Last verified 2026-08-18. Not legal advice — confirm current requirements with South Pasadena's planning department. See the statewide ADU floor every city sits on top of.

What you can build here — zoning standards

Zone(s)DensityHeightSetbacks F / S / RLot coverage
Single-familyRE (1–3.5 du/ac)1–3.5 du/ac*not sourced**not sourced**not sourced*
DuplexAllowed in RM6.1–14 du/ac
TownhomeRM / RH multi-family6.1–24 du/ac45 ft20' front / stepbacks40–50%
MultifamilyRM / RH6.1–24 du/ac*not sourced**not sourced**not sourced*

Parking · Garage/carport up to 500 sf excluded from FAR.

Overlays to check · SB 9 lot-split eligible · Density Bonus Law applicable · Height initiative (45 ft citywide max)

Base zoning — always check for a project-specific overlay or density-bonus increase. Not legal advice. South Pasadena Municipal Code Article 2 Table 2-3, Housing Element Table VI-35. Last verified 2026-08-23. Full zoning code

Advisory Desk

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Get a preliminary read on what your parcel can support — zoning, density, and feasibility, grounded in local land-use data. No obligation, no sales pitch.