Los Altos · Zoning · OA
Los Altos OA zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Los Altos's OA zone, generally buildings can be up to 40 ft (4 stories) tall and the front setback is 5 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: 5 ft
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft (25 ft where immediately abutting an R1-10 District)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft (30 ft where immediately abutting an R1-10 District)
- Maximum lot coverage: 75%
- Maximum density: 30 dwelling units per acre
OA (OFFICE-ADMINISTRATIVE 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 OA
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) § 14.34.130 · 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) § 14.34.130 · code textResidential only development(s) building height shall be a maximum of forty (40) feet and four stories. |
| Minimum front setback | 5 ft § 14.34.070 · code textThe minimum depth of front yards shall be five feet, with a minimum of fifty (50) percent of which shall be landscaped. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft Applies: 25 ft where immediately abutting an R1-10 District § 14.34.080 · code textThe minimum depth of side yards shall be five feet except where immediately abutting an R1-10 District, in which case the side yard shall be twenty-five (25) feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft Applies: 30 ft where immediately abutting an R1-10 District § 14.34.090 · code textThe minimum depth of rear yards shall be fifteen (15) feet except where immediately abutting an R1-10 District, in which case the rear yard shall be thirty (30) feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 75% § 14.34.060 · code textThe maximum coverage for all structures shall be seventy-five (75) percent of total gross lot area. |
| Maximum density | 30 dwelling units per acre § 14.34.065 · code textResidential uses will be allowed at a minimum density of twenty (20) dwelling units per acre and a maximum density of thirty (30) dwelling units per acre. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in OA:
- Maximum building height: 45 ft — Mixed use development(s) § 14.34.130
- Maximum building height: 30 ft — Non-residential use only development(s) § 14.34.130
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories — Non-residential use only development(s) § 14.34.130
- Minimum side setback: 25 ft — Immediately abutting an R1-10 District § 14.34.080
- Minimum rear setback: 30 ft — Immediately abutting an R1-10 District § 14.34.090
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, FAR limit for OA 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 OA zone?
40 ft (residential only development(s)) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.34.130.
What is the maximum number of stories in Los Altos's OA zone?
4 stories (residential only development(s)) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.34.130.
What is the minimum front setback in Los Altos's OA zone?
5 ft — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.34.070.
What is the minimum side setback in Los Altos's OA zone?
5 ft (25 ft where immediately abutting an R1-10 District) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.34.080.
What is the minimum rear setback in Los Altos's OA zone?
15 ft (30 ft where immediately abutting an R1-10 District) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.34.090.
General information, not legal advice.
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