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Gilroy · Building on your lot

Building on a hillside in Gilroy

Gilroy's own rules on building on a hillside, with the code text for every value.

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Each rule below links to the section of the Gilroy Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Gilroy's code says

Gilroy code What Gilroy's code adds
Height on hillside lots
  • Buildings may be no taller than 30 feet.
    Applies: Hillside zones; measured from the ground along the home's perimeter to the roof ridge.
    § 30.9.30 · code text
    Structures shall be limited to a maximum height of thirty (30) feet measured from grade along the perimeter of the dwelling to the ridge of the roof
  • Buildings may be no taller than 15 feet.
    Applies: Hillside zones; when the roof peak is within 20 feet in height of the hillside ridge line.
    § 30.9.30 · code text
    except that any structure built so that the peak of the roof is within twenty (20) feet in height of the hillside ridge line shall be limited to fifteen (15) feet in height.
  • Up to 30 feet and 2 stories at any one point.
    Applies: Hillside zones; when existing trees or vegetation screen the building.
    § 30.9.30 · code text
    If the structure is screened by existing trees or vegetation, it shall be limited to thirty (30) feet in height and two (2) stories at any one (1) point.
When hillside rules apply
  • No building where the average slope under it is over 30%; over 15% needs a special foundation design.
    Applies: Hillside zones.
    § 30.9.30 · code text
    No construction of any building shall occur on any portion of any parcel where the average slope of that portion covered by the structure exceeds thirty percent (30%) slope.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What extra rules apply to a hillside lot in Gilroy?

Gilroy's code: No building where the average slope under it is over 30%; over 15% needs a special foundation design. (Hillside zones.) (§ 30.9.30); Buildings may be no taller than 30 feet. (Hillside zones; measured from the ground along the home's perimeter to the roof ridge.) (§ 30.9.30).

General information, not legal advice.

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Gilroy Municipal Code — full text