Cerritos · Zoning · CN
Cerritos CN zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Cerritos's CN zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft (2 stories) tall and the front setback is 25 ft, with the conditions listed below (Cerritos code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (Two stories or 35 ft, whichever is less; and no higher than the distance to a property line next to residential.)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (a building may not exceed a height equal to its least horizontal distance to a property line adjacent to a residential area)
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft
- Minimum side setback: 12 ft (Abutting a nonresidential area; building may stand on property line if both buildings abut or are at least 24 ft apart and council approves)
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.60
CN (Neighborhood Commercial Zone) is a zoning district in Cerritos. Every value below was read from the Cerritos 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 CN
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: Two stories or 35 ft, whichever is less; and no higher than the distance to a property line next to residential. § 22.25.700 · code textThe maximum building height shall be two stories or thirty-five feet, whichever is less; provided, that a building or structure shall not exceed a height equal to the least horizontal distance between the building and a property line adjacent to a residential area. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: a building may not exceed a height equal to its least horizontal distance to a property line adjacent to a residential area § 22.25.700 · code textThe maximum building height shall be two stories or thirty-five feet, whichever is less; provided, that a building or structure shall not exceed a height equal to the least horizontal distance between the building and a property line adjacent to a residential area. |
| Minimum front setback | 25 ft § 22.25.700 · code textThere shall be a minimum building setback from the property line of twenty-five feet along the full street frontage of a site and the entire setback area shall be landscaped. |
| Minimum side setback | 12 ft Applies: Abutting a nonresidential area; building may stand on property line if both buildings abut or are at least 24 ft apart and council approves § 22.25.700 · code textThere shall be a setback of at least twelve feet, except that a building may be constructed on a property line; provided, that the buildings on both sides of the property line are either abutting or are separated by at least twenty-four feet, and that a plan for development is approved by the city council so as to enhance the design of the development. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 22.25.600 · code textThe percentage of building coverage to parcel area shall be no greater than fifty percent; |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.60 § 22.25.600 · code textThe percentage of floor area to parcel area shall be no greater than sixty percent. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CN:
- Maximum building height: 20 ft — Only when the side and rear setback next to residential is reduced to 10 ft (small corner parcel, three-quarters acre or less). § 22.25.700
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft — Legal corner parcels of half an acre or less with two street frontages on April 11, 2002. § 22.25.700
- Minimum side setback: 24 ft — Abutting a residential area § 22.25.700
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Corner parcel, three-quarters acre or less, two streets, not next to other CN, abutting residential; 20 ft height cap, dense landscaping, no windows facing it § 22.25.700
- Minimum rear setback: 24 ft — Abutting a residential area § 22.25.700
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — Corner parcel, three-quarters acre or less, two streets, not next to other CN, abutting residential; 20 ft height cap, dense landscaping, no windows facing it § 22.25.700
Not on this page
We did not find a general rear setback, lot size, density limit for CN in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Cerritos Municipal Code.
Other Cerritos zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Cerritos's CN zone?
35 ft (two stories or 35 ft, whichever is less; and no higher than the distance to a property line next to residential) — Cerritos Municipal Code § 22.25.700.
What is the maximum number of stories in Cerritos's CN zone?
2 stories (a building may not exceed a height equal to its least horizontal distance to a property line adjacent to a residential area) — Cerritos Municipal Code § 22.25.700.
What is the minimum front setback in Cerritos's CN zone?
25 ft — Cerritos Municipal Code § 22.25.700.
What is the minimum side setback in Cerritos's CN zone?
12 ft (abutting a nonresidential area; building may stand on property line if both buildings abut or are at least 24 ft apart and council approves) — Cerritos Municipal Code § 22.25.700.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Cerritos's CN zone?
50% — Cerritos Municipal Code § 22.25.600.
General information, not legal advice.
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