El Centro · Zoning · MU1
El Centro MU1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In El Centro's MU1 zone, buildings can be up to 45 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 7,200 sq ft (El Centro code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (Interior side)
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft (Abutting a nonresidential zone)
- Minimum lot size: 7,200 sq ft
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.3 (Stand-alone commercial)
- Maximum density: 25 units per acre (Stand-alone residential or residential portion of a mixed-use development)
MU1 (Mixed-Use Zone 1) 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 MU1
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 | 45 ft § 29-90 · code textTable row “(g)”, column “MU1”: 45 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft § 29-90 · code textTable row “(1) Front”, column “MU1”: 15 |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: Interior side § 29-90 · code textTable row “a. Interior side”, column “MU1”: 5 |
| Minimum rear setback | 5 ft Applies: Abutting a nonresidential zone § 29-90 · code textTable row “a. Abutting a nonresidential zone”, column “MU1”: 5 |
| Minimum lot size | 7,200 sq ft § 29-90 · code textTable row “(a)”, column “MU1”: 7,200 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.3 Applies: Stand-alone commercial § 29-90 · code textTable row “(h)”, column “MU1”: 0.3:1 |
| Maximum density | 25 units per acre Applies: Stand-alone residential or residential portion of a mixed-use development § 29-90 · code textTable row “(2) Maximum”, column “MU1”: 25 |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in MU1:
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft — Exterior side § 29-90
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — Abutting a residential zone § 29-90
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — Second and additional stories of building § 29-90
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — Abutting an alley, second and additional stories of building § 29-90
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.0 — Mixed-use (including live/work and artisan lofts) § 29-90
- Maximum density: 32 units per acre — Senior-only projects or senior portion of a project § 29-90
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage limit for MU1 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 MU1 zone?
45 ft — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-90.
What is the minimum front setback in El Centro's MU1 zone?
15 ft — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-90.
What is the minimum side setback in El Centro's MU1 zone?
5 ft (interior side) — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-90.
What is the minimum rear setback in El Centro's MU1 zone?
5 ft (abutting a nonresidential zone) — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-90.
What is the minimum lot size in El Centro's MU1 zone?
7,200 sq ft — El Centro Municipal Code § 29-90.
General information, not legal advice.
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