Palo Alto · Zoning · CC
Palo Alto CC zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Palo Alto's CC zone, generally buildings can be up to 50 ft tall, the front setback is None required and the minimum lot size is No minimum, with the conditions listed below (Palo Alto code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 50 ft (Portions within 150 ft of an abutting residential district are limited to 35 ft.)
- Minimum front setback: None required
- Minimum side setback: None required (non-residential uses; at least 10 ft where the lot line abuts or is opposite a residential district)
- Minimum rear setback: None required (non-residential uses; at least 10 ft where the lot line abuts or is opposite a residential district)
- Minimum lot size: No minimum
- Maximum lot coverage: None required (Exclusively non-residential uses)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.0 (Housing development project of three to seven units; bonus does not apply within a historic district, listed historic property, landmark, or historic property or district designated by ordinance)
CC 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 CC
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 | 50 ft Applies: Portions within 150 ft of an abutting residential district are limited to 35 ft. § 18.16.060 · code textTable row “Standard”, column “CC”: 50' |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | None required See note 8 below the table in the code. § 18.16.060 · code textTable row “Front Yard (ft)”, column “CC”: None Required (8) Note 8: A 12-foot sidewalk width is required along El Camino Real frontage. |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: non-residential uses; at least 10 ft where the lot line abuts or is opposite a residential district § 18.16.060 · code textTable row “Interior Side Yard (ft)”, column “CC”: None required |
| Minimum rear setback | None required Applies: non-residential uses; at least 10 ft where the lot line abuts or is opposite a residential district § 18.16.060 · code textTable row “Rear Yard (ft)”, column “CC”: None required |
| Minimum lot size | No minimum § 18.16.060 · code textTable row “Minimum Site Specifications Site Area (ft 2 ) Site Width (ft) Site Depth (ft)”, column “CC”: None Required |
| Maximum lot coverage | None required Applies: Exclusively non-residential uses § 18.16.060 · code textTable row “Maximum Site Coverage”, column “CC”: None Required |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.0 Applies: Housing development project of three to seven units; bonus does not apply within a historic district, listed historic property, landmark, or historic property or district designated by ordinance § 18.16.065 · code textA housing development project of three to seven units shall have a maximum floor area ratio of 1.0:1. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CC:
- Maximum lot coverage: 50% — Mixed use and residential development § 18.16.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.25 — Housing development project of eight to ten units; bonus does not apply within a historic district, listed historic property, landmark, or historic property or district designated by ordinance § 18.16.065
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, density limit for CC 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 CC zone?
50 ft (portions within 150 ft of an abutting residential district are limited to 35 ft) — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.16.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Palo Alto's CC zone?
None required — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.16.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Palo Alto's CC zone?
None required (non-residential uses; at least 10 ft where the lot line abuts or is opposite a residential district) — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.16.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Palo Alto's CC zone?
None required (non-residential uses; at least 10 ft where the lot line abuts or is opposite a residential district) — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.16.060.
What is the minimum lot size in Palo Alto's CC zone?
No minimum — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.16.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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