Palo Alto · Zoning · AC
Palo Alto AC zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Palo Alto's AC zone, buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 30 ft and the minimum lot size is 5 acres (Palo Alto code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 30 ft
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 30 ft
- Minimum lot size: 5 acres
- Maximum lot coverage: 10%
- Maximum density: 1 unit/acre
AC is a zoning district in Palo Alto. Every value below was read from the Palo Alto 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 AC
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 ft § 18.28.050 · code textTable row “Maximum Height (ft)”, column “AC”: 35 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 30 ft § 18.28.050 · code textTable row “Front Setback”, column “AC”: 30 |
| Minimum side setback | 15 ft § 18.28.050 · code textTable row “Interior Side Setback”, column “AC”: 15 |
| Minimum rear setback | 30 ft § 18.28.050 · code textTable row “Rear Setback”, column “AC”: 30 |
| Minimum lot size | 5 acres § 18.28.050 · code textTable row “Site Area (acres)”, column “AC”: 5 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 10% § 18.28.050 · code textTable row “Maximum Site Coverage”, column “AC”: 10% |
| Maximum density | 1 unit/acre § 18.28.050 · code textTable row “Residential Density”, column “AC”: 1 unit/acre |
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, FAR limit for AC in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Palo Alto Municipal Code.
Other Palo Alto zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Palo Alto's AC zone?
35 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.28.050.
What is the minimum front setback in Palo Alto's AC zone?
30 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.28.050.
What is the minimum side setback in Palo Alto's AC zone?
15 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.28.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in Palo Alto's AC zone?
30 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.28.050.
What is the minimum lot size in Palo Alto's AC zone?
5 acres — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.28.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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