El Centro · Zoning · CO
El Centro CO zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In El Centro's CO zone, buildings can be up to 65 ft tall, the front setback is 20 ft and the minimum lot size is 6,000 sq ft (El Centro code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 65 ft
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft (Abutting a nonresidential zone)
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 40%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.40:1
CO is a zoning district in El Centro. Every value below was read from the El Centro 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 CO
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 | 65 ft § 29-62 · code textTable row “(f)”, column “CO”: 65 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 29-62 · code textTable row “(d) (1) Front”, column “CO”: 20 |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 29-62 · code textTable row “(d) (3) a. Interior side”, column “CO”: 5 |
| Minimum rear setback | 5 ft Applies: Abutting a nonresidential zone § 29-62 · code textTable row “(d) (2) a. Abutting a nonresidential zone”, column “CO”: 5 |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 sq ft § 29-62 · code textTable row “(a)”, column “CO”: 6,000 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 40% § 29-62 · code textTable row “(e)”, column “CO”: 40 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.40:1 § 29-62 · code textTable row “(g)”, column “CO”: 0.40:1 |
When a different number applies
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, density limit for CO in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the El Centro Municipal Code.
Other El Centro zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in El Centro's CO zone?
65 ft — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-62.
What is the minimum front setback in El Centro's CO zone?
20 ft — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-62.
What is the minimum side setback in El Centro's CO zone?
5 ft — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-62.
What is the minimum rear setback in El Centro's CO zone?
5 ft (abutting a nonresidential zone) — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-62.
What is the minimum lot size in El Centro's CO zone?
6,000 sq ft — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-62.
General information, not legal advice.
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