Hollister OT-M zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

OT-M (Old Town Medium Density Residential) is a zoning district in Hollister. Every value below was read from the Hollister 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 OT-M

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	30 feet Applies: Dwellings See notes 4, 2, 3, 5 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code text Table row “(OT-M) Old Town Medium Density Residential”, column “Building Height (4)”: Dwellings: 30 feet (2) One and one-half story (3) Accessory: 15 feet (5) Note 4: See building height exceptions in Chapter 17.16. Note 2: Transition in building height and other design elements shall be incorporated into development near existing residential neighborhoods to assure that the new development is not out of scale with the character of the surrounding uses. Note 3: The half story shall be directed to the rear of the structure where the predominant development pattern surrounding the lot is single story and shall not overwhelm the historic character of the neighborhood. Note 5: Planning Commission approval is required for accessory structures higher than 15 feet.
Minimum front setback	15 feet See notes 1, 2 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code text Table row “(OT-M) Old Town Medium Density Residential (1), (2)”, column “Front Yard”: 15 feet Note 1: A single-family residence on a corner lot that has been lawfully established prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter may be reconstructed with administrative Planning and Engineering approval of a similar nonconforming setback that complies with Building and Fire Codes if it has been involuntarily damaged or partially damaged by a fire or other calamity. Note 2: An alternative to the setbacks may be allowed with administrative approvals from the Planning and Engineering Departments for placement of a residence on a corner lot to assure adequate separation of a driveway from an intersection provided there is at least 1,000 square feet of useable open space in the rear or side yard and a minimum setback of six feet from any adjoining property line and there
Minimum side setback	5 feet Applies: Interior See notes 1, 2 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code text Table row “(OT-M) Old Town Medium Density Residential (1), (2)”, column “Side Yard”: Interior: 5 feet Corner: 10 feet Note 1: A single-family residence on a corner lot that has been lawfully established prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter may be reconstructed with administrative Planning and Engineering approval of a similar nonconforming setback that complies with Building and Fire Codes if it has been involuntarily damaged or partially damaged by a fire or other calamity. Note 2: An alternative to the setbacks may be allowed with administrative approvals from the Planning and Engineering Departments for placement of a residence on a corner lot to assure adequate separation of a driveway from an intersection provided there is at least 1,000 square feet of useable open space in the rear or side yard and a minimum setback of six feet from any adjoining property line and there
Minimum lot size	10,000 sq. ft. for 3 units Applies: 3 units See notes 6, 5 below the table in the code. § 17.04.030 · code text Table row “(OT-M) Old Town—Medium Density Residential (6)”, column “Minimum Lot Size (5)”: 1 unit: 5,000 sq. ft. 2 units: 6,800 sq. ft. 3 units: 10,000 sq. ft. Parcels of 10,000 sq. ft. or more shall be developed at a ratio of 3 dwelling units for the first 10,000 sq. ft. and 3,600 sq. ft. for each additional unit Note 6: An exception to the minimum lot size in the Old Town District may be allowed if the Planning Commission can make the following findings: (a) the subdivision includes at least one or two existing residences that have been included on a list of historic structures approved by the Hollister City Council or include defining characteristics to qualify for a list; (b) the location of the existing reside Note 5: Partially developed parcels with potential for infill development may be subdivided without a growth management allocation if the Planning Commission can make the following findings: (a) the minimum lot size of an existing residential use shall be at least 5,000 square feet and the setback requirements for the R1 District can be met; (b) the orientation of the single-family home will help support
Maximum lot coverage	40% § 17.04.030 · code text Table row “(OT-M) Old Town Medium Density Residential”, column “Lot Coverage (Max.)”: 40%

Uses in OT-M

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

Single-family home — Allowed
Duplex — Allowed — see note
Apartment building — Allowed
Bed and breakfast — Needs a conditional use permit (planning commission review)

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in OT-M:

Minimum side setback: 10 feet — on a corner lot § 17.04.030
Minimum rear setback: 10 feet — or 15 feet measured to the centerline of an alley § 17.04.030
Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq. ft. for 1 unit — 1 unit § 17.04.030
Minimum lot size: 6,800 sq. ft. for 2 units — 2 units § 17.04.030

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, rear setback, FAR, density limit for OT-M in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Hollister Municipal Code.

Other Hollister zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Hollister's OT-M zone?

30 feet (dwellings) — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.

What is the minimum front setback in Hollister's OT-M zone?

15 feet — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.

What is the minimum side setback in Hollister's OT-M zone?

5 feet (interior) — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.

What is the minimum lot size in Hollister's OT-M zone?

10,000 sq. ft. for 3 units (3 units) — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.

What is the maximum lot coverage in Hollister's OT-M zone?

40% — Hollister Municipal Code § 17.04.030.