East Palo Alto · Zoning · MUC
East Palo Alto MUC zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In East Palo Alto's MUC zone, generally buildings can be up to 60 ft (5 stories) tall, the front setback is None required and the minimum lot size is 12,000 sq. ft., with the conditions listed below (East Palo Alto code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 60 ft (5 stories or 60 ft., whichever is greater)
- Maximum number of stories: 5 stories (5 stories or 60 ft., whichever is greater)
- Minimum front setback: None required (A front setback may not exceed 10 ft)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft
- Minimum lot size: 12,000 sq. ft. (newly created parcel)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.75 FAR (mixed use development; no more than 0.5 FAR may be in office, retail, and/or service uses)
- Maximum density: 22 to 65 du/acre (the code sets a range: at least 22, at most 65)
MUC is a zoning district in East Palo Alto. Every value below was read from the East Palo Alto 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 MUC
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 Applies: 5 stories or 60 ft., whichever is greater § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Height”, column “MUC”: 5 stories or 60 ft., whichever is greater |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 5 stories Applies: 5 stories or 60 ft., whichever is greater § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Height”, column “MUC”: 5 stories or 60 ft., whichever is greater |
| Minimum front setback | None required Applies: A front setback may not exceed 10 ft § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Front”, column “MUC”: None Required, but shall not exceed 10 ft. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Side, Each”, column “MUC”: 5 ft. |
| Minimum rear setback | 5 ft § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “MUC”: 5 ft. |
| Minimum lot size | 12,000 sq. ft. Applies: newly created parcel § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Parcel Area”, column “MUC”: 12,000 sq. ft. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.75 FAR Applies: mixed use development; no more than 0.5 FAR may be in office, retail, and/or service uses § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Mixed use development Commercial only Nonresidential only Residential only”, column “MUC”: 1.75 FAR (No more than 0.5 FAR may be in office, retail, and/or service uses) |
| Maximum density | 22 to 65 du/acre Applies: the code sets a range: at least 22, at most 65 § 18.12.030 · code textTable row “Density Range”, column “MUC”: 22 - 65 du/acre |
Uses in MUC
Uses the code's use tables allow in MUC, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Live-work unit — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in MUC:
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft — side adjoining a residential district § 18.12.030
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — rear adjoining a residential district § 18.12.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot coverage limit for MUC in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the East Palo Alto Municipal Code.
Other East Palo Alto zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in East Palo Alto's MUC zone?
60 ft (5 stories or 60 ft., whichever is greater) — East Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.12.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in East Palo Alto's MUC zone?
5 stories (5 stories or 60 ft., whichever is greater) — East Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.12.030.
What is the minimum front setback in East Palo Alto's MUC zone?
None required (a front setback may not exceed 10 ft) — East Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.12.030.
What is the minimum side setback in East Palo Alto's MUC zone?
5 ft — East Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.12.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in East Palo Alto's MUC zone?
5 ft — East Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.12.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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