Los Altos · Zoning · CT
Los Altos CT zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Los Altos's CT zone, generally buildings can be up to 55 ft (5 stories) tall and the front setback is 10 ft, with the conditions listed below (Los Altos code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 55 ft (Residential only development(s))
- Maximum number of stories: 5 stories (Residential only development(s))
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
CT (Commercial Thoroughfare 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 CT
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 | 55 ft Applies: Residential only development(s) § 14.50.140 · code textResidential only development(s) building height shall be a maximum of fifty-five (55) feet and five stories. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 5 stories Applies: Residential only development(s) § 14.50.140 · code textResidential only development(s) building height shall be a maximum of fifty-five (55) feet and five stories. |
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft § 14.50.090 · code textThe minimum front yard depth shall be ten (10) feet, with a minimum of fifty (50) percent of which shall be landscaped. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 14.50.100 · code textThe minimum interior side yard depth shall be five (5) feet, with a minimum of fifty (50) percent of which shall be landscaped. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 14.50.110 · code textThe minimum rear yard depth shall be twenty (20) feet, with a minimum of fifty (50) percent of which shall be landscaped. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CT:
- Maximum building height: 60 ft — Mixed use development(s) § 14.50.140
- Maximum building height: 45 ft — Non-residential use only development(s) § 14.50.140
- Maximum number of stories: 4 stories — Non-residential use only development(s) § 14.50.140
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for CT 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 CT zone?
55 ft (residential only development(s)) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.50.140.
What is the maximum number of stories in Los Altos's CT zone?
5 stories (residential only development(s)) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.50.140.
What is the minimum front setback in Los Altos's CT zone?
10 ft — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.50.090.
What is the minimum side setback in Los Altos's CT zone?
5 ft — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.50.100.
What is the minimum rear setback in Los Altos's CT zone?
20 ft — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.50.110.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Los Altos property in CT
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question