Garden Grove · Zoning · NMU
Garden Grove NMU zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Garden Grove's NMU zone, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 15,000 sf (Garden Grove code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft
- Minimum side setback: None required
- Minimum rear setback: None required (not abutting a residentially zoned lot)
- Minimum lot size: 15,000 sf
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.5 (commercial)
- Maximum density: 24 units/acre (residential needs an on-site commercial part of at least 0.2 FAR)
NMU (Neighborhood Mixed Use Zone) is a zoning district in Garden Grove. Every value below was read from the Garden Grove 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 NMU
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.
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft § 9.18.090 · code textTable row “Front”, column “Neighborhood Mixed Use Zone (NMU)”: Minimum 15 ft |
|---|---|
| Minimum side setback | None required § 9.18.090 · code textTable row “Side”, column “Neighborhood Mixed Use Zone (NMU)”: None required |
| Minimum rear setback | None required Applies: not abutting a residentially zoned lot § 9.18.090 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “Neighborhood Mixed Use Zone (NMU)”: None required unless abutting a residentially zoned lot; minimum 10 ft when abutting a residentially zoned lot. See Section 9.18.100. |
| Minimum lot size | 15,000 sf § 9.18.090 · code textTable row “Minimum Area”, column “Neighborhood Mixed Use Zone (NMU)”: 15,000 sf |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.5 Applies: commercial § 9.18.090 · code textTable row “Maximum Commercial Floor Area Ratio (FAR)”, column “Neighborhood Mixed Use Zone (NMU)”: 0.5 |
| Maximum density | 24 units/acre Applies: residential needs an on-site commercial part of at least 0.2 FAR § 9.18.090 · code textTable row “Maximum Residential Density (units/acre)”, column “Neighborhood Mixed Use Zone (NMU)”: 24 units/acre |
Uses in NMU
Uses the code's use tables allow in NMU, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Residential care home (7 or more) — Needs a conditional use permit
- 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 NMU:
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — when abutting a residentially zoned lot § 9.18.090
Not on this page
We did not find a general height, stories, lot coverage limit for NMU in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Garden Grove Municipal Code.
Other Garden Grove zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum front setback in Garden Grove's NMU zone?
15 ft — Garden Grove Municipal Code § 9.18.090.
What is the minimum side setback in Garden Grove's NMU zone?
None required — Garden Grove Municipal Code § 9.18.090.
What is the minimum rear setback in Garden Grove's NMU zone?
None required (not abutting a residentially zoned lot) — Garden Grove Municipal Code § 9.18.090.
What is the minimum lot size in Garden Grove's NMU zone?
15,000 sf — Garden Grove Municipal Code § 9.18.090.
What is the maximum floor area ratio (far) in Garden Grove's NMU zone?
0.5 (commercial) — Garden Grove Municipal Code § 9.18.090.
General information, not legal advice.
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