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Albany · Building on your lot

Building on a hillside in Albany

Albany's own rules on building on a hillside, with the code text for every value.

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Each rule below links to the section of the Albany Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Albany's code says

Albany code What Albany's code adds
When hillside rules apply
  • Land with an average slope under 30% may be considered for the full Measure K density.
    Applies: RHD hillside residential district.
    § 20.24.040 · code text
    Land having an average slope measuring less than thirty (30%) percent may be considered for the maximum development density established by Measure K or any amendment thereto
  • Land with an average slope of 30% to 40% may have at most 50% of the Measure K density.
    Applies: RHD hillside residential district.
    § 20.24.040 · code text
    Land having an average slope between thirty (30%) percent and forty (40%) percent shall be considered for development at a maximum of fifty (50%) percent of the density permitted by Measure K
  • Site areas over 40% average slope don't count as lot area for density and stay free of further residential development.
    Applies: RHD hillside residential district.
    § 20.24.040 · code text
    Any portion of a proposed residential development site which exceeds forty (40%) percent average slope or with existing topographical features such as ridgelines, cliffs, deep ravines, native tree cover or a significant biotic habitat shall not be considered as lot area for purposes of the calculating density.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Albany?

Albany's code: Land with an average slope under 30% may be considered for the full Measure K density. (RHD hillside residential district.) (§ 20.24.040); Land with an average slope of 30% to 40% may have at most 50% of the Measure K density. (RHD hillside residential district.) (§ 20.24.040).

General information, not legal advice.

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