Love this question! In Culver City real‑estate lingo, “CCR1YY” shows up on listings as shorthand for a Culver City R‑1 (single‑family) lot. The City’s official zoning label today is simply R1 – Single‑Family Residential (and some parcels also carry the ‑RH “Residential Hillsides” overlay). In short: it’s the classic single‑family zoning most buyers crave. Here’s why people find it so desirable:
1) Predictable single‑family neighborhood vibe
R1 is expressly written to protect the existing density and character of single‑family neighborhoods. Translation: quiet streets, low traffic, and a consistent residential feel—features lots of buyers prize.
Proof in the code: R1 permits single‑family homes and does not allow multi‑family buildings (those are in the RLD/RMD/RHD districts), which helps keep the area low‑density and calm.
2) Light, air, privacy—baked into the standards
R1 has shape‑the‑house rules that keep homes from looming over neighbors:
- Height: up to 27 ft (flat roof) or 30 ft (sloped roof).
- Setbacks: generally 20 ft front (and 25 ft for second stories), 15 ft rear, with street‑side and interior side rules that step back upper floors and use a 1:1 inward “height plane” above 18 ft to cut bulk.
- Scale: a 0.45 FAR keeps overall house size in check.
- Front‑yard look: only up to 25% of the required street‑facing setback may be paved (beyond the driveway), which preserves greenery and curb appeal.
These guardrails preserve sun, sky views, and privacy—big drivers of desirability.
3) Hillside lots with views (‑RH overlay)
Many “CCR1YY” properties pop up in hillside neighborhoods like Culver Crest. The ‑RH overlay adds extra protections—slope‑based FAR (0.45 down to 0.25), larger stepbacks, and tighter height limits (on steeper sites, even 1 story / 14 ft)—to safeguard scenery, stability, and neighborhood character. For many buyers, that means views and tranquility without oversized neighbors blocking them.
4) Flexibility to add an ADU or JADU—without parking headaches
R1 lots can host a home + one ADU + one JADU (subject to state/local rules). Culver City recently updated its ADU section to align with state law, and the code explicitly notes no parking is required for ADUs or replacement parking—a cost and design win if you’re adding gentle density for family or income.
Citywide context: Culver City abolished minimum off‑street parking requirements citywide in 2022, which can make remodels and small additions (like ADUs) more feasible while still requiring good design of any parking you do build.
5) Scarcity fuels demand
By design, R1 limits density (about 8.7 units/acre, max one primary home per lot). That scarcity—paired with the standards above—often supports strong end‑user demand for these parcels.
6) It aligns with the places people already love
You’ll see “CCR1YY” in listing details for beloved, established pockets (e.g., Carlson Park, Culver Crest), which adds to the cachet for many buyers comparing neighborhoods. (MLS listings commonly show “Zoning: CCR1YY” for these areas.) For permits, though, rely on the official R1/overlay shown in the City’s code and map.
Quick note on the label itself
“CCR1YY” is listing shorthand, not a term used inside Culver City’s zoning code. Officially, the City maps zones like R1 and overlays like ‑RH; if you’re evaluating a specific address, confirm the official zone/overlay on the City’s zoning code/map before you design or apply.
Bottom line
CCR1YY (R1) is desirable because it protects a serene single‑family neighborhood feel, caps building scale, and—thanks to modern state‑aligned rules—still gives you room to grow with an ADU/JADU and fewer parking hurdles. It’s the sweet spot of stability + flexibility, and that combo is exactly what many Culver City buyers are after. 🎉
If you want, tell me a specific address or block—I’ll pull its official zoning/overlay and highlight exactly which standards (height, setbacks, ADU options) apply to that lot.