Menlo Park · Zoning · LS
Menlo Park LS zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Menlo Park's LS zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 feet tall, the front setback is 5 feet and the minimum lot size is 25,000 square feet, with the conditions listed below (Menlo Park code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 feet (Base Level. The Bonus Level allows a maximum of 110 ft.)
- Minimum front setback: 5 feet
- Minimum side setback: 10 feet
- Minimum rear setback: 10 feet
- Minimum lot size: 25,000 square feet
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 55% plus 10% commercial (Base Level)
LS (LIFE SCIENCES DISTRICT) is a zoning district in Menlo Park. Every value below was read from the Menlo Park 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 LS
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 | 35 feet Applies: Base Level. The Bonus Level allows a maximum of 110 ft. § 16.44.050 · code textTable row “Height”, column “Bonus Level”: Height: 67.5 feet Maximum height: 110 feet |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 5 feet § 16.44.050 · code textTable row “Minimum setback at street”, column “Base Level”: 5 feet |
| Minimum side setback | 10 feet § 16.44.050 · code textTable row “Minimum interior side and rear setbacks”, column “Base Level”: 10 feet |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 feet § 16.44.050 · code textTable row “Minimum interior side and rear setbacks”, column “Base Level”: 10 feet |
| Minimum lot size | 25,000 square feet § 16.44.050 · code textTable row “Minimum lot area”, column “Base Level”: 25,000 square feet |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 55% plus 10% commercial Applies: Base Level § 16.44.050 · code textTable row “Maximum floor area ratio”, column “Base Level”: 55% plus 10% commercial |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in LS:
- Maximum building height: 67.5 feet — Bonus Level; average height of all buildings on the site. The maximum is 110 ft. § 16.44.050
- Minimum side setback: 0 feet — Interior side setback only, for the entire building mass where there is retail frontage. § 16.44.050
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 125% plus 10% commercial — Bonus Level § 16.44.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, density limit for LS in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Menlo Park Municipal Code.
Other Menlo Park zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Menlo Park's LS zone?
35 feet (base Level. The Bonus Level allows a maximum of 110 ft) — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.44.050.
What is the minimum front setback in Menlo Park's LS zone?
5 feet — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.44.050.
What is the minimum side setback in Menlo Park's LS zone?
10 feet — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.44.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in Menlo Park's LS zone?
10 feet — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.44.050.
What is the minimum lot size in Menlo Park's LS zone?
25,000 square feet — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.44.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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