Los Altos · Zoning · CN
Los Altos CN zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Los Altos's CN zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 ft (4 stories) tall and the front setback is None required, with the conditions listed below (Los Altos code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft (Mixed Use Development(s))
- Maximum number of stories: 4 stories (Mixed Use Development(s))
- Minimum front setback: None required
- Minimum side setback: None required
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): no maximum FAR (Mixed use development(s))
CN (Commercial Neighborhood 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 CN
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 | 45 ft Applies: Mixed Use Development(s) § 14.40.140 · code textMixed Use Development(s) building height shall be a maximum of forty-five (45) feet and four stories. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 4 stories Applies: Mixed Use Development(s) § 14.40.140 · code textMixed Use Development(s) building height shall be a maximum of forty-five (45) feet and four stories. |
| Minimum front setback | None required § 14.40.080 · code textNo front yard shall be required. |
| Minimum side setback | None required § 14.40.090 · code textNo side yards shall be required. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 14.40.100 · code textThe minimum depth of rear yards shall be twenty (20) feet. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | no maximum FAR Applies: Mixed use development(s) § 14.40.070 · code textMixed use development(s) shall have no maximum floor area ratio within the Commercial Neighborhood (CN) Zoning District. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CN:
- Maximum building height: 30 ft — Non-Residential Use Only Development(s) § 14.40.140
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories — Non-Residential Use Only Development(s) § 14.40.140
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 35% — Non-residential use only development(s) § 14.40.070
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage, density limit for CN 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 CN zone?
45 ft (mixed Use Development(s)) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.40.140.
What is the maximum number of stories in Los Altos's CN zone?
4 stories (mixed Use Development(s)) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.40.140.
What is the minimum front setback in Los Altos's CN zone?
None required — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.40.080.
What is the minimum side setback in Los Altos's CN zone?
None required — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.40.090.
What is the minimum rear setback in Los Altos's CN zone?
20 ft — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.40.100.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Los Altos property in CN
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question