Hillside and Local Coastal Overlay

Background

In 1977, the City Council adopted the Hillside Overlay to provide development standards, design review criteria, and limitations for hillside and coastal development. The Hillside Overlay recognizes there are development difficulties due to topography of the area, and the need for development review criteria to prevent adverse impacts upon the view, light, air and privacy of other properties in the vicinity. Since its adoption, the Hillside Overlay has evolved from general guidelines into a formal development review and permitting process. Projects located in the Coastal Zone may be subject to review by the California Coastal Commission. For more information on the Hillside Overlay and development review process, please refer to the links below:

Applications

There are two primary ways to request a Hillside or Local Coastal Overlay review, depending on the scope of your project:

  • Minor Hillside Exemption (MHE): This is an administrative review for projects that meet the criteria of Torrance Municipal Code (TMC) 91.41.7  Permitted Development - Residential for an exemption from the requirement of a Precise Plan. 
  • Precise Plan (PRE): Projects that do not meet the criteria of TMC 91.41.7 will require a discretionary process and will require a submission of a Development Application. For the necessary documents, please visit the Planning Applications and Forms page. 

Additional Information

Planning Commission Informational Item Regarding Hillside Overlay District and State Housing Legislation presented at the February 18, 2026 meeting:

 

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