Los Altos · Zoning · CD
Los Altos CD zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Los Altos's CD zone, generally buildings can be up to 40 ft (4 stories) tall and the front setback is 2 ft, with the conditions listed below (Los Altos code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 40 ft (Residential only development(s))
- Maximum number of stories: 4 stories (Residential only development(s))
- Minimum front setback: 2 ft
- Minimum side setback: None required (2 ft, landscaped, where the side property line abuts a public street or public parking plaza)
- Minimum rear setback: None required (structures 15 ft tall or lower; taller structures need a 15 ft rear yard)
CD (Commercial Downtown District) is a zoning district in Los Altos. Every value below was read from the Los Altos 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 CD
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 | 40 ft Applies: Residential only development(s) § 14.44.120 · code textResidential only development(s) building height shall be a maximum of forty (40) feet and four stories. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 4 stories Applies: Residential only development(s) § 14.44.120 · code textResidential only development(s) building height shall be a maximum of forty (40) feet and four stories. |
| Minimum front setback | 2 ft § 14.44.060 · code textThe minimum depth of front yards shall be two feet and shall be landscaped. |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: 2 ft, landscaped, where the side property line abuts a public street or public parking plaza § 14.44.070 · code textNo side yards shall be required, except when the side property line of a site abuts a public street or a public parking plaza, in which case the minimum width of the side yard shall be two feet and shall be landscaped. |
| Minimum rear setback | None required Applies: structures 15 ft tall or lower; taller structures need a 15 ft rear yard § 14.44.080 · code textStructures above fifteen (15) feet in height must have a minimum rear yard of fifteen (15) feet. Otherwise, no rear yard shall be required except as follows: |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CD:
- Maximum building height: 45 ft — Mixed use development(s) § 14.44.120
- Maximum building height: 30 ft — Non-residential use only development(s) § 14.44.120
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories — Non-residential use only development(s) § 14.44.120
- Minimum side setback: 2 ft — When the side property line of a site abuts a public street or a public parking plaza § 14.44.070
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — Structures above 15 feet in height § 14.44.080
- Minimum rear setback: 2 ft — Where the rear property line of a site abuts a public parking plaza § 14.44.080
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — Where the rear property line of a site abuts a public street or alley § 14.44.080
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for CD in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Los Altos Municipal Code.
Other Los Altos zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Los Altos's CD zone?
40 ft (residential only development(s)) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.44.120.
What is the maximum number of stories in Los Altos's CD zone?
4 stories (residential only development(s)) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.44.120.
What is the minimum front setback in Los Altos's CD zone?
2 ft — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.44.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Los Altos's CD zone?
None required (2 ft, landscaped, where the side property line abuts a public street or public parking plaza) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.44.070.
What is the minimum rear setback in Los Altos's CD zone?
None required (structures 15 ft tall or lower; taller structures need a 15 ft rear yard) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.44.080.
General information, not legal advice.
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