Arroyo Grande · Zoning · FOMU
Arroyo Grande FOMU zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Arroyo Grande's FOMU zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft (3 stories) tall, the front setback is 0-10 ft and the minimum lot size is 15,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Arroyo Grande code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (Mixed residential/commercial use; the lower of 35 ft or 3 stories applies)
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories (Mixed residential/commercial use; the lower of 35 ft or 3 stories applies)
- Minimum front setback: 0-10 ft (Larger setbacks may be set for courtyards, outdoor dining or projects facing a residential district)
- Minimum side setback: 0-5 ft (Projects abutting a residential district use that district's setback)
- Minimum rear setback: 0-15 ft (Projects abutting a residential district use that district's setback)
- Minimum lot size: 15,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 70%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1
- Maximum density: 25 dwelling units/acre (multi-family housing)
FOMU (Fair Oaks Mixed Use) is a zoning district in Arroyo Grande. Every value below was read from the Arroyo Grande 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 FOMU
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 | 35 ft Applies: Mixed residential/commercial use; the lower of 35 ft or 3 stories applies The code attaches notes 5, 6 to this value. This page does not show them; read the code before relying on the number. § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “10. Building Size Limits”: Maximum height for mixed residential/commercial use is 35 feet or three stories whichever is less; a maximum of up to 40 feet for mixed use projects by discretionary action on lots larger than 20,000 square feet and where the building is not adjacent to a residential district. See Design Guidelines and Standards for Mixed Use Districts. Also see Section 16.48.030 (B)(5) and (6). Maximum building size is 50,000 square feet. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories Applies: Mixed residential/commercial use; the lower of 35 ft or 3 stories applies The code attaches notes 5, 6 to this value. This page does not show them; read the code before relying on the number. § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “10. Building Size Limits”: Maximum height for mixed residential/commercial use is 35 feet or three stories whichever is less; a maximum of up to 40 feet for mixed use projects by discretionary action on lots larger than 20,000 square feet and where the building is not adjacent to a residential district. See Design Guidelines and Standards for Mixed Use Districts. Also see Section 16.48.030 (B)(5) and (6). Maximum building size is 50,000 square feet. |
| Minimum front setback | 0-10 ft Applies: Larger setbacks may be set for courtyards, outdoor dining or projects facing a residential district § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “6. Front Yard Setback”: 0 - 10 feet. Exceptions for larger setbacks may include entrance courtyard areas for outdoor dining , or for projects facing a residential district as determined through discretionary review. |
| Minimum side setback | 0-5 ft Applies: Projects abutting a residential district use that district's setback § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “8. Side Yard Setback”: 0 - 5 feet. For projects abutting a residential district, corresponding residential setback shall apply. |
| Minimum rear setback | 0-15 ft Applies: Projects abutting a residential district use that district's setback § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “7. Rear Yard Setback”: 0 - 15 feet. Parking encouraged. For projects abutting a residential district, corresponding residential setback shall apply. |
| Minimum lot size | 15,000 sq ft § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “4. Minimum Lot Size”: 15,000 square feet (gross). |
| Maximum lot coverage | 70% § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “11. Site Coverage and Floor Area Ratio”: Maximum coverage of site is 70%. Maximum Floor Area Ratio is 1. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1 § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “11. Site Coverage and Floor Area Ratio”: Maximum coverage of site is 70%. Maximum Floor Area Ratio is 1. |
| Maximum density | 25 dwelling units/acre Applies: multi-family housing § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “2. Maximum Density Multi-family housing”: 25 dwelling units/acre. |
Uses in FOMU
Uses the code's use tables allow in FOMU, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Apartment building — Needs a minor use permit
- Residential care home (7 or more) — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
- Child care center — Needs a minor use permit
- Emergency shelter — Allowed
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in FOMU:
- Maximum building height: up to 40 ft — Mixed use projects approved by discretionary action, lots over 20,000 sq ft, not next to a residential district § 16.36.020
Other Arroyo Grande zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Arroyo Grande's FOMU zone?
35 ft (mixed residential/commercial use; the lower of 35 ft or 3 stories applies) — Arroyo Grande Municipal Code § 16.36.020. The code attaches notes or conditions to this value; read the section before relying on it.
What is the maximum number of stories in Arroyo Grande's FOMU zone?
3 stories (mixed residential/commercial use; the lower of 35 ft or 3 stories applies) — Arroyo Grande Municipal Code § 16.36.020. The code attaches notes or conditions to this value; read the section before relying on it.
What is the minimum front setback in Arroyo Grande's FOMU zone?
0-10 ft (larger setbacks may be set for courtyards, outdoor dining or projects facing a residential district) — Arroyo Grande Municipal Code § 16.36.020.
What is the minimum side setback in Arroyo Grande's FOMU zone?
0-5 ft (projects abutting a residential district use that district's setback) — Arroyo Grande Municipal Code § 16.36.020.
What is the minimum rear setback in Arroyo Grande's FOMU zone?
0-15 ft (projects abutting a residential district use that district's setback) — Arroyo Grande Municipal Code § 16.36.020.
General information, not legal advice.
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