Oakland · Zoning · M-40
Oakland M-40 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Oakland's M-40 zone, buildings can be up to None tall and the front setback is 0 ft (Oakland code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: None
- Minimum front setback: 0 ft
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft (Residential Facilities, and any use next to an RH, RD or RM Zone; Nonresidential Facilities elsewhere need none)
M-40 is a zoning district in Oakland. Every value below was read from the Oakland 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 M-40
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 | None § 17.72.050 · code textTable row “Maximum Height”, column “M-40”: None |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 0 ft § 17.72.050 · code textTable row “Minimum front”, column “M-40”: 0 ft. |
| Minimum side setback | 0 ft § 17.72.050 · code textTable row “Minimum interior side”, column “M-40”: 0 ft. |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft Applies: Residential Facilities, and any use next to an RH, RD or RM Zone; Nonresidential Facilities elsewhere need none § 17.72.050 · code textWhen a rear lot line is adjacent to an RH, RD, or RM Zone, the required rear setback for both Residential and Nonresidential Facilities is ten (10) feet. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in M-40:
- Maximum building height: 30 ft — At the setback line associated with any rear or interior side lot line that abuts a lot in an RH, RD, or RM Zone § 17.72.050
- Minimum side setback: 6 ft — Wherever an interior side lot line abuts an interior side lot line of any lot located in an RH or RD Zone § 17.72.050
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — Where an interior side lot line abuts an interior side lot line in an RM Zone § 17.72.050
- Minimum side setback: 4 ft — Where an interior side lot line abuts an interior side lot line of any lot located in an RU-1 or RU-2 Zone § 17.72.050
- Minimum rear setback: None required — Nonresidential Facilities when the rear lot line is not adjacent to an RH, RD, or RM Zone § 17.72.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot size, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for M-40 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Oakland Municipal Code.
Other Oakland zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Oakland's M-40 zone?
None — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.72.050.
What is the minimum front setback in Oakland's M-40 zone?
0 ft — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.72.050.
What is the minimum side setback in Oakland's M-40 zone?
0 ft — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.72.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in Oakland's M-40 zone?
10 ft (residential Facilities, and any use next to an RH, RD or RM Zone; Nonresidential Facilities elsewhere need none) — Oakland Municipal Code § 17.72.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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