Arcadia · Zoning · CBD
Arcadia CBD zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Arcadia's CBD zone, generally buildings can be up to 60 ft tall, the front setback is 0 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sf, with the conditions listed below (Arcadia code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 60 ft
- Minimum front setback: 0 ft (Also a 10 ft maximum setback: the building may not sit farther back than 10 ft.)
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft (Abutting nonresidential or mixed-use zone.)
- Minimum rear setback: 0 ft (Abutting nonresidential or Downtown zone.)
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sf
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.0 (Applicable only to the nonresidential component of a development.)
- Maximum density: 80 units/acre
CBD is a zoning district in Arcadia. Every value below was read from the Arcadia Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.
Development standards in CBD
The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.
| Maximum building height | 60 ft See note 1 below the table in the code. § 9102.05.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Height”, column “CBD (1)”: 60 ft Note 1: See City Center Design Plan for additional design guidelines. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 0 ft Applies: Also a 10 ft maximum setback: the building may not sit farther back than 10 ft. See note 1 below the table in the code. § 9102.05.030 · code textTable row “Front or adjacent to a street”, column “CBD (1)”: 0 ft (10 ft maximum) Note 1: See City Center Design Plan for additional design guidelines. |
| Minimum side setback | 0 ft Applies: Abutting nonresidential or mixed-use zone. See note 1 below the table in the code. § 9102.05.030 · code textTable row “Abutting nonresidential or mixed-use zone”, column “CBD (1)”: 0 ft Note 1: See City Center Design Plan for additional design guidelines. |
| Minimum rear setback | 0 ft Applies: Abutting nonresidential or Downtown zone. See note 1 below the table in the code. § 9102.05.030 · code textTable row “Abutting Nonresidential or Downtown zone”, column “CBD (1)”: 0 ft Note 1: See City Center Design Plan for additional design guidelines. |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sf See note 1 below the table in the code. § 9102.05.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Lot Area”, column “CBD (1)”: 5,000 sf Note 1: See City Center Design Plan for additional design guidelines. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.0 Applies: Applicable only to the nonresidential component of a development. See notes 2, 1 below the table in the code. § 9102.05.030 · code textTable row “Maximum FAR (2)”, column “CBD (1)”: 1.0 Note 2: FAR maximum is applicable only to nonresidential component of a development. Note 1: See City Center Design Plan for additional design guidelines. |
| Maximum density | 80 units/acre See note 1 below the table in the code. § 9102.05.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Residential Density”, column “CBD (1)”: 80 units/acre Note 1: See City Center Design Plan for additional design guidelines. |
Uses in CBD
Uses the code's use tables allow in CBD, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Apartment building — Needs a minor use permit — see note
- Live-work unit — Needs a minor use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CBD:
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Abutting residential zone. § 9102.05.030
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — Abutting residential zone. § 9102.05.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage limit for CBD in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Arcadia Municipal Code.
Other Arcadia zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Arcadia's CBD zone?
60 ft — Arcadia Municipal Code § 9102.05.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Arcadia's CBD zone?
0 ft (also a 10 ft maximum setback: the building may not sit farther back than 10 ft) — Arcadia Municipal Code § 9102.05.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Arcadia's CBD zone?
0 ft (abutting nonresidential or mixed-use zone) — Arcadia Municipal Code § 9102.05.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Arcadia's CBD zone?
0 ft (abutting nonresidential or Downtown zone) — Arcadia Municipal Code § 9102.05.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Arcadia's CBD zone?
5,000 sf — Arcadia Municipal Code § 9102.05.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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