Fountain Valley CM zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

CM is a zoning district in Fountain Valley. Every value below was read from the Fountain Valley 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 CM

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 See note 1 below the table in the code. § 21.10.040 · code text Table row “Height limit (1)”, column “CM”: 60 ft./4 stories Note 1: Maximum allowed height of structures. See also Section 21.18.050 (Height measurement and height exceptions).
Maximum number of stories	4 stories See note 1 below the table in the code. § 21.10.040 · code text Table row “Height limit (1)”, column “CM”: 60 ft./4 stories Note 1: Maximum allowed height of structures. See also Section 21.18.050 (Height measurement and height exceptions).
Minimum front setback	30 ft Applies: On arterial streets § 21.10.040 · code text Table row “Front”, column “CM”: 30 ft. on arterial streets; 20 ft. on local streets.
Minimum rear setback	None required Applies: not next to a residential zone § 21.10.040 · code text Table row “Rear”, column “CM”: 20 ft. adjacent to a residential zone, none otherwise.
Minimum lot size	1 acre Applies: parcels proposed in new subdivisions § 21.10.040 · code text Table row “Lot area”, column “CM”: 1 acre
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	0.60 See note 2 below the table in the code. § 21.10.040 · code text Table row “Floor area ratio (FAR) (2)”, column “CM”: 0.60 Note 2: For the purpose of calculating floor area, floor area shall not include carports, garages, parking garages, elevator shafts, mechanical rooms, and exterior patios associated with the use within the same development.

Uses in CM

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

Child care center — Needs a conditional use permit

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CM:

Maximum building height: 70 ft — new or renovated hotels that meet all the hotel quality features for the alternative standards § 21.10.080
Maximum number of stories: 6 stories — new or renovated hotels that meet all the hotel quality features for the alternative standards § 21.10.080
Minimum front setback: 20 ft — On local streets § 21.10.040
Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — Adjacent to a residential zone § 21.10.040

Not on this page

We did not find a general side setback, lot coverage, density limit for CM in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Fountain Valley Municipal Code.

Other Fountain Valley zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Fountain Valley's CM zone?

60 ft — Fountain Valley Municipal Code § 21.10.040.

What is the maximum number of stories in Fountain Valley's CM zone?

4 stories — Fountain Valley Municipal Code § 21.10.040.

What is the minimum front setback in Fountain Valley's CM zone?

30 ft (on arterial streets) — Fountain Valley Municipal Code § 21.10.040.

What is the minimum rear setback in Fountain Valley's CM zone?

None required (not next to a residential zone) — Fountain Valley Municipal Code § 21.10.040.

What is the minimum lot size in Fountain Valley's CM zone?

1 acre (parcels proposed in new subdivisions) — Fountain Valley Municipal Code § 21.10.040.

General information, not legal advice.