By David Petikyan · Property Provider Group | eXp Realty
Turn south off Nordhoff Street between Balboa and Lindley into Sherwood Forest, and Northridge changes. The houses sit farther back. The trees get taller. The driveways get long.
That’s because the typical lot here is about 17,600 sq ft, roughly 70% bigger than the Northridge median. Here’s what living in Sherwood Forest, Northridge is like: the homes, the rules and daily life.
- 91325ZIP code, City of LA
- ≈17,600sq ft median lot
- 1954median year built
- ≈95%of homes zoned RA‑1
The neighborhoodWhat Living in Sherwood Forest, Northridge Is Really Like
Sherwood Forest is part of Northridge, running from Nordhoff Street south to the railroad tracks. CSUN is right across Lindley.
Once walnut orchards, it filled in during the 1950s and ’60s. The City made the name official in 2012.
The headlineThe Homes and Lots: Why Everyone Talks About the Land
- 86%
Lots of 15,000+ sq ft
About 30% top 20,000 sq ft.
- 70%
Built in the 1950s
Under 5% built since 1990.
- 2,590
Sq ft median home
Mostly 3–4 bedrooms.
- 3 in 4
Parcels with a pool
Per Assessor use codes.
Picture single-story ranch houses on deep lots with pools, guest houses or RV space. The trade-off is upkeep: more yard, more trees, older systems.
Some big parcels, especially along Parthenia, were split for newer homes. Fun fact: Richard Pryor lived here for years.
In Sherwood Forest, you’re usually buying the land first and the house second.
The rulesRA Zoning in Plain English: Horses, ADUs and How Big You Can Build
Horses
On lots of 17,500+ sq ft, one per 4,000 sq ft. About half qualify.
Lot splits
New lots need 17,500 sq ft and 70 ft of width.
House size
Up to 25% of the lot; 20,000+ sq ft lots get 20% or 5,000 sq ft.
ADUs
A detached ADU up to 800 sq ft plus a junior ADU, if the lot works.
Yards
Front yard 20% of lot depth (max 25 ft); side yards at least 10 ft.
Protected trees
Some native oaks, walnuts and sycamores are protected.
The communityNeighbors, Block Parties and One Very Busy Halloween
The Sherwood Forest Homeowners Association is a volunteer nonprofit, not a typical HOA. Membership is voluntary and dues are $50 a year. It focuses on zoning and lot splits, and its annual block party draws 500-plus residents, it says.
Come October 31, “big groups of costumed revelers” tour the decorated homes.
Mommy Poppins, Los Angeles Halloween guide
Daily lifeGetting Around: CSUN, Errands, Parks and Freeways
CSUN
Right across Lindley, home of The Soraya.
Errands
Yes, there’s a “Target Sherwood Forest,” at 8999 Balboa.
Rail
Northridge Metrolink is 1–2 miles west. Near the tracks? Visit at different hours.
Freeways
Balboa to the 118; Nordhoff or Roscoe east to the 405.
Parks
Dearborn Park on the north edge; Northridge Recreation Center nearby.
Shopping
Northridge Fashion Center is about 2 miles west.
EducationSchools: How to Find Your Assigned LAUSD School
There are no schools inside the boundaries, and LAUSD assignments vary by address. Check any home with the Resident School Identifier.
Buyer checklist4 Things to Weigh Before You Buy
- 1
Upkeep scales with the lot
Ask for recent landscaping, tree and pool bills.
- 2
Permits matter
Compare the City’s Residential Property Report with what’s built.
- 3
Horses aren’t automatic
Confirm lot area, zoning and setbacks before you offer.
- 4
Price varies house to house
Land and permits drive it. See what drives value.
The bottom line: want room to breathe without leaving LA? Start here.
I lead Property Provider Group with eXp Realty from Mission Hills, a short drive from Sherwood Forest.
David Petikyan · DRE #02089725 · eXp Realty of Greater Los Angeles, Inc. #02188471
Living in Sherwood Forest: FAQ
Where is Sherwood Forest in Northridge?
In south-central Northridge, just east of CSUN, between Nordhoff Street, Balboa Boulevard, Lindley Avenue and the railroad tracks.
What ZIP code is Sherwood Forest, Los Angeles?
91325, shared with other parts of Northridge, so ZIP-level stats blend it with very different areas.
Is Sherwood Forest, Northridge known for Halloween?
Yes. It’s a well-known trick-or-treat destination, so expect crowds and full curbs on October 31.
Does Sherwood Forest have an HOA?
Only a voluntary residents’ association ($50 a year) that doesn’t manage common areas. Any recorded CC&Rs will show up in a home’s title report.
Can you keep horses in Sherwood Forest?
On many lots. RA zoning allows horses on lots of 17,500+ sq ft, one per 4,000 sq ft of lot area. About half the lots qualify; verify with the City.
Keep Exploring
- Sherwood Forest Real Estate
- Northridge Real Estate
- How to Sell in Sherwood Forest
- Sherwood Forest vs. Porter Ranch
- What Is My Home Worth?
- Porter Ranch Real Estate
- Granada Hills Real Estate
- Free Home Valuation
Sources & notes
Sources: LA Council District 12: Sherwood Forest · LA Council File 11-0645 · LAMC Sec. 12.07 (RA Zone) · California HCD ADU Handbook · LAUSD Resident School Identifier.
Photos: A ranch home set back behind a deep lawn, seen from Nordhoff Street looking into Sherwood Forest: Clotee Pridgen Allochuku, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized). Fall sycamores on a residential street elsewhere in Northridge: Sony 1992, Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0 (cropped and resized). Dearborn Park, at the neighborhood’s northern edge: Clotee Pridgen Allochuku, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized). Northridge Metrolink station, about 1–2 miles west: Junkyardsparkle, Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0 (converted to WebP). Agent photo: Property Provider Group.
Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Laws, tax rates and fees change; verify zoning, lot size, permits, taxes, disclosures and school assignments independently, and consult an attorney, CPA or escrow officer for advice on your situation. Neighborhood figures are approximate. David Petikyan, DRE# 02089725, eXp Realty. eXp Realty of Greater Los Angeles, Inc. #02188471. Equal Housing Opportunity.