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Title 16

Chapter 16.28 — R-L-U RETIREMENT LIVING UNITS DISTRICT

Menlo Park Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-06 · Menlo Park

§ 16.28.005. Purpose.

The purpose of the R-L-U district is to provide a floating zoning district to be applied at any location found to be appropriate by the city council and held to be consistent with the housing element of the comprehensive plan.

(Ord. 600 § 1, 1976)

§ 16.28.010. Permitted uses.

The only permitted use in the R-L-U zoning district is accessory structures. (Ord. 1006 § 15, 2014; Prior code § 30.411(A))

§ 16.28.020. Conditional uses.

Conditional uses allowed in the R-L-U district, subject to obtaining a use permit are as follows:

  • (1) Retirement rental housing designed to be occupied by persons over sixty years of age and to meet the housing and social needs of the elderly, done in accordance with a planned housing program under the auspices, ownership, and continued management of a responsible charitable, nonprofit organization. In considering any application for R-L-U zoning and use permit, the planning commission and city council will consider various offsite support needs of prospective elderly residents such as, but not limited to, access to transportation, medical facilities, shopping areas, and appropriate social activity centers; and various on-site facilities such as, but not limited to, dining, laundry and recreation facilities;

  • (2) Accessory buildings.

  • (Ord. 591 § 2, 1976; Ord. 641 § 1(a), 1979; Prior code § 30.411(B))

§ 16.28.030. Development regulations.

Development regulations in the R-L-U district are as follows:

  • (1) Minimum lot area: twenty thousand (20,000) square feet;

  • (2) Minimum land area per dwelling unit: eight hundred (800) square feet; provided that on sites forty thousand (40,000) square feet or more in area and subject to obtaining a conditional development permit, density may exceed one (1) dwelling unit per eight hundred (800) square feet, to a maximum of one (1) dwelling unit for four hundred fifty (450) square feet, and shall be as specified in the conditional development permit;

  • (3) Minimum lot dimensions: one hundred feet (100') width; one hundred feet (100') depth;

  • (4) Required minimum yards: twenty-five feet (25') front; twenty feet (20') rear; thirty feet (30') total side; ten feet (10') minimum either side;

  • (5) Land cover by all structures shall not exceed thirty-five percent (35%) of building site;

  • (6) Height of structures shall not exceed thirty-five feet (35'), provided that on sites forty thousand (40,000) square feet or more in area, and subject to obtaining a conditional

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City of Menlo Park, CA

ZONING

§ 16.28.030

§ 16.28.030

development permit, height of structures may exceed thirty-five feet (35');

  • (7) Where appropriate, a condition in the deed to the ultimate owner shall be created, specifying that the land zoned RLU is to be used only pursuant to the provisions of this section and Section 16.28.020 and the use permit granted pursuant thereto. When created, this condition shall be conveyed to the city on terms which permit it to reenter upon violation of the condition;

  • (8) In case of conditional uses, additional regulations may be required by the planning commission;

  • (9) Floor area ratio: the total gross floor area of all buildings shall not exceed one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the total lot area.

  • (Ord. 641 § 1(b), 1979; Ord. 863 § 3, 1994; Prior code § 30.411(C))

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City of Menlo Park, CA

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Contents — Menlo Park Zoning Code
Menlo Park Zoning Code
  1. Title 16
    Overview
    1. Chapter 16.20 — R-3 APARTMENT DISTRICT
    2. Chapter 16.22 — R-4 HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    3. Chapter 16.28 — R-L-U RETIREMENT LIVING UNITS DISTRICT
    4. Chapter 16.37 — C-2-S NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, SPECIAL
    5. Chapter 16.44 — LS LIFE SCIENCES DISTRICT
    6. Chapter 16.02 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    7. Chapter 16.04 — DEFINITIONS
    8. Chapter 16.06 — ENFORCEMENT
    9. Chapter 16.08 — DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED—GENERAL REGULATIONS
    10. Chapter 16.10 — R-E RESIDENTIAL ESTATE DISTRICT
    11. Chapter 16.12 — R-E-S RESIDENTIAL ESTATE SUBURBAN DISTRICT
    12. Chapter 16.14 — R-1-S SINGLE-FAMILY SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL DISTR…
    13. Chapter 16.15 — R-1-S (FG) SINGLE-FAMILY SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL …
    14. Chapter 16.16 — R-1-U SINGLE FAMILY URBAN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    15. Chapter 16.17 — R-1-U (LM) SINGLE FAMILY URBAN RESIDENTIAL DIS…
    16. Chapter 16.18 — R-2 LOW DENSITY APARTMENT DISTRICT
    17. Chapter 16.20 — R-3 APARTMENT DISTRICT
    18. Chapter 16.22 — R-4 HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    19. Chapter 16.23
    20. Chapter 16.24 — R-3-A GARDEN APARTMENT RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    21. Chapter 16.26 — R-3-C APARTMENT—OFFICE DISTRICT
    22. Chapter 16.28 — R-L-U RETIREMENT LIVING UNITS DISTRICT
    23. Chapter 16.30
    24. Chapter 16.35
    25. Chapter 16.36 — C-1-C ADMINISTRATIVE, PROFESSIONAL AND RESEARC…
    26. Chapter 16.37
    27. Chapter 16.38 — C-2 NEIGHBORHOOD SHOPPING DISTRICT
    28. Chapter 16.40 — C-MU NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED USE DISTRICT
    29. Chapter 16.43 — O OFFICE DISTRICT
    30. Chapter 16.44 — LS LIFE SCIENCES DISTRICT
    31. Chapter 16.45 — R-MU RESIDENTIAL MIXED USE DISTRICT
    32. Chapter 16.46 — M-2 GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
    33. Chapter 16.47 — M-3 COMMERCIAL BUSINESS PARK
    34. Chapter 16.48 — OSC OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION DISTRICT
    35. Chapter 16.49 — P-F PUBLIC FACILITIES DISTRICT
    36. Chapter 16.50 — FP FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT
    37. Chapter 16.52 — P PARKING DISTRICT
    38. Chapter 16.54 — H HISTORIC SITE DISTRICT
    39. Chapter 16.55 — AAGP ALLIED ARTS GUILD PRESERVATION DISTRICT
    40. Chapter 16.56 — X CONDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
    41. Chapter 16.58 — SP-ECR/D EL CAMINO REAL/DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN
    42. Chapter 16.59 — LOTS
    43. Chapter 16.60 — ENCROACHMENTS AND BALCONIES
    44. Chapter 16.64 — FENCES, WALLS, TREES AND HEDGES[6 ]
    45. Chapter 16.65 — SOLAR ACCESS
    46. Chapter 16.66 — STREET IMPROVEMENTS AND DEDICATIONS
    47. Chapter 16.67 — DAYLIGHT PLANES[7 ]
    48. Chapter 16.68 — BUILDINGS
    49. Chapter 16.70 — SWIMMING POOLS
    50. Chapter 16.72 — OFF-STREET PARKING
    51. Chapter 16.74 — PARKING LOTS
    52. Chapter 16.76 — PUBLIC UTILITIES
    53. Chapter 16.77 — TWO (2) UNIT HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS
    54. Chapter 16.79 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS[9 ]
    55. Chapter 16.80 — NONCONFORMING USES AND BUILDINGS
    56. Chapter 16.82 — PERMITS
    57. Chapter 16.83 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
    58. Chapter 16.84 — PUBLIC HEARINGS
    59. Chapter 16.85 — NOTICES FOR SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPM…
    60. Chapter 16.86 — APPEALS
    61. Chapter 16.88 — AMENDMENTS
    62. Chapter 16.90 — MAP—BOUNDARIES
    63. Chapter 16.92 — SIGNS—OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
    64. Chapter 16.93 — ANTENNAE
    65. Chapter 16.95 — RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY
    66. Chapter 16.96 — BELOW MARKET RATE HOUSING PROGRAM
    67. Chapter 16.97 — STATE DENSITY BONUS LAW
    68. Chapter 16.98 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVERLAY
    69. Chapter 16.99 — EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS OVERLAY

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