Corte Madera C-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

C-3 (Highway Commercial District) is a zoning district in Corte Madera. Every value below was read from the Corte Madera 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 C-3

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 § 18.12.335 · code text No structure shall exceed 35 feet in height, as defined in Section 18.24.060.
Minimum front setback	20 ft § 18.12.320 · code text The minimum front yard shall be twenty feet.
Minimum side setback	None required Applies: Except as set by Section 18.12.040, subsection (1). § 18.12.325 · code text No side yard shall be required except as prescribed in subsection (1) of Section 18.12.040, except that on the street side of a corner lot, the minimum side yard shall be twenty feet.
Minimum rear setback	None required Applies: Except as set by Section 18.12.040, subsection (2). § 18.12.330 · code text No rear yard shall be required except as prescribed in subsection (2) of Section 18.12.040, except that on a double frontage lot, the minimum rear yard shall be twenty feet.
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	34% Applies: Of net site area, not counting floor area for required parking; exceptions in Section 18.12.050. § 18.12.340 · code text Gross floor area shall not exceed thirty-four percent of the net site area, exclusive of the floor area devoted to required parking, except as set forth in section 18.12.050.

Uses in C-3

Uses the code's use tables allow in C-3, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.

Kennel — Needs a conditional use permit (chapter 18.26)

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C-3:

Minimum side setback: 20 ft — street side of a corner lot § 18.12.325
Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — double frontage lot § 18.12.330

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, lot size, lot coverage, density limit for C-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Corte Madera Municipal Code.

Other Corte Madera zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Corte Madera's C-3 zone?

35 ft — Corte Madera Municipal Code § 18.12.335.

What is the minimum front setback in Corte Madera's C-3 zone?

20 ft — Corte Madera Municipal Code § 18.12.320.

What is the minimum side setback in Corte Madera's C-3 zone?

None required (except as set by Section 18.12.040, subsection (1)) — Corte Madera Municipal Code § 18.12.325.

What is the minimum rear setback in Corte Madera's C-3 zone?

None required (except as set by Section 18.12.040, subsection (2)) — Corte Madera Municipal Code § 18.12.330.

What is the maximum floor area ratio (far) in Corte Madera's C-3 zone?

34% (of net site area, not counting floor area for required parking; exceptions in Section 18.12.050) — Corte Madera Municipal Code § 18.12.340.

General information, not legal advice.