Milpitas · Zoning · MXD3
Milpitas MXD3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Milpitas's MXD3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 150 ft (12 stories) tall and the front setback is 12 to 20 ft, with the conditions listed below (Milpitas code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 150 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 12 stories (Up to 20 stories if the Planning Commission approves a Site Development Permit.)
- Minimum front setback: 12 to 20 ft (Build-to line: the building must stand at least 12 and at most 20 ft back.)
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft (15 ft when abutting a residential zone; 20 ft for portions of buildings over 60 ft or four stories tall)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft (20 ft when abutting a residential zone; 30 ft for portions of buildings over 60 ft or four stories tall)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.5 (Nonresidential and mixed-use projects; up to 2.5 for nonresidential buildings with a Site Development Permit; no FAR limit for hotels.)
- Maximum density: 75 units per gross acre
MXD3 is a zoning district in Milpitas. Every value below was read from the Milpitas 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 MXD3
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 | 150 ft § B.8.030 · code textTable row “Primary Building Height, max.”, column “MXD3”: 150 ft; 12 stories 10, 11 |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 12 stories Applies: Up to 20 stories if the Planning Commission approves a Site Development Permit. § B.8.030 · code textTable row “Primary Building Height, max.”, column “MXD3”: 150 ft; 12 stories 10, 11 |
| Minimum front setback | 12 to 20 ft Applies: Build-to line: the building must stand at least 12 and at most 20 ft back. § B.8.030 · code textTable row “Front”, column “MXD3”: Min.: 12 Max.: 20 |
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft Applies: 15 ft when abutting a residential zone; 20 ft for portions of buildings over 60 ft or four stories tall § B.8.030 · code textTable row “Interior side”, column “MXD3”: Min.: 10; 15 when abutting a residential zone; 20 for portions of buildings over 60 ft or four stories tall |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft Applies: 20 ft when abutting a residential zone; 30 ft for portions of buildings over 60 ft or four stories tall § B.8.030 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “MXD3”: Min.: 15; 20 when abutting a residential zone; 30 for portions of buildings over 60 ft or four stories tall |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.5 Applies: Nonresidential and mixed-use projects; up to 2.5 for nonresidential buildings with a Site Development Permit; no FAR limit for hotels. § B.8.030 · code textTable row “FAR, max. 7”, column “MXD3”: 1.5 for nonresidential and mixed-use projects 8, 9 |
| Maximum density | 75 units per gross acre § B.8.030 · code textTable row “Residential Density (du/gross acre) 1”, column “MXD3”: Min.: 41 3 Max.: 75 3 |
Uses in MXD3
Uses the code's use tables allow in MXD3, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Apartment building — Allowed
- Live-work unit — Needs a minor conditional use permit (director)
- Senior or assisted living — Needs a minor conditional use permit (zoning administrator)
- Bed and breakfast — Allowed
- Child care center — Needs a minor conditional use permit (zoning administrator)
- Church or place of worship — Needs a minor conditional use permit (director) — see note
- Private school — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
- Emergency shelter — Allowed
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in MXD3:
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft — when abutting a residential zone § B.8.030
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft — for portions of buildings over 60 ft or four stories tall § B.8.030
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — when abutting a residential zone § B.8.030
- Minimum rear setback: 30 ft — for portions of buildings over 60 ft or four stories tall § B.8.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot size, lot coverage limit for MXD3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Milpitas Municipal Code.
Other Milpitas zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Milpitas's MXD3 zone?
150 ft — Milpitas Municipal Code § B.8.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in Milpitas's MXD3 zone?
12 stories (up to 20 stories if the Planning Commission approves a Site Development Permit) — Milpitas Municipal Code § B.8.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Milpitas's MXD3 zone?
12 to 20 ft (build-to line: the building must stand at least 12 and at most 20 ft back) — Milpitas Municipal Code § B.8.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Milpitas's MXD3 zone?
10 ft (15 ft when abutting a residential zone; 20 ft for portions of buildings over 60 ft or four stories tall) — Milpitas Municipal Code § B.8.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Milpitas's MXD3 zone?
15 ft (20 ft when abutting a residential zone; 30 ft for portions of buildings over 60 ft or four stories tall) — Milpitas Municipal Code § B.8.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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