Cupertino · Zoning · A-1
Cupertino A-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Cupertino's A-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 28 ft tall, the front setback is 30 ft and the minimum lot size is 215,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Cupertino code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 28 ft (Principal buildings; areas with an i suffix are limited to one story and 18 ft)
- Minimum front setback: 30 ft (first floor)
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft (first floor)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft (first floor)
- Minimum lot size: 215,000 sq ft (With no incidental residential use; the number after the A1 symbol sets the actual minimum (A1 43 is 43,000 sq ft))
- Maximum lot coverage: 40%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 45%
- Maximum density: 43,000 sq ft per dwelling unit (incidental residential use; farm labor camp and accessory dwelling units are not counted)
A-1 (Agricultural-Residential) is a zoning district in Cupertino. Every value below was read from the Cupertino 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 A-1
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 | 28 ft Applies: Principal buildings; areas with an i suffix are limited to one story and 18 ft § 19.24.050 · code textTable row “2. Zoning districts with "i" suffix **”, column “Agricultural-Residential (A-1)”: Limited to one story (not to exceed 18 feet) |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 30 ft Applies: first floor § 19.24.050 · code textTable row “i. Front-yard”, column “Agricultural-Residential (A-1)”: 30 feet |
| Minimum side setback | 20 ft Applies: first floor § 19.24.050 · code textTable row “ii. Side-yard”, column “Agricultural-Residential (A-1)”: 20 feet |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft Applies: first floor § 19.24.050 · code textTable row “iii. Rear-yard”, column “Agricultural-Residential (A-1)”: 20 feet |
| Minimum lot size | 215,000 sq ft Applies: With no incidental residential use; the number after the A1 symbol sets the actual minimum (A1 43 is 43,000 sq ft) § 19.24.040 · code textTable row “1. Minimum Lot size”, column “Agricultural- Residential (A-1)”: 215,000 square feet (with no incidental residential use) |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% § 19.24.050 · code textTable row “1. Lot Coverage”, column “Agricultural-Residential (A-1)”: 40% of net lot area |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 45% § 19.24.050 · code textTable row “2. Floor Area Ratio”, column “Agricultural-Residential (A-1)”: 45% |
| Maximum density | 43,000 sq ft per dwelling unit Applies: incidental residential use; farm labor camp and accessory dwelling units are not counted § 19.24.040 · code textTable row “2. Incidental residential use”, column “Agricultural- Residential (A-1) Zones”: 43,000 square feet per dwelling unit. Dwelling units in farm labor camps for temporary laborers, and accessory dwelling units shall not be counted for the purpose of determining required lot area under this section. |
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories limit for A-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Cupertino Municipal Code.
Other Cupertino zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Cupertino's A-1 zone?
28 ft (principal buildings; areas with an i suffix are limited to one story and 18 ft) — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.24.050.
What is the minimum front setback in Cupertino's A-1 zone?
30 ft (first floor) — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.24.050.
What is the minimum side setback in Cupertino's A-1 zone?
20 ft (first floor) — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.24.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in Cupertino's A-1 zone?
20 ft (first floor) — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.24.050.
What is the minimum lot size in Cupertino's A-1 zone?
215,000 sq ft (with no incidental residential use; the number after the A1 symbol sets the actual minimum (A1 43 is 43,000 sq ft)) — Cupertino Municipal Code § 19.24.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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