Palo Alto · Zoning · CD-C
Palo Alto CD-C zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Palo Alto's CD-C zone, generally buildings can be up to 50 ft tall and the front setback is None required, with the conditions listed below (Palo Alto code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 50 ft (within 150 ft of an abutting residential district, non-residential buildings may not exceed that district's height limit)
- 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 zone district)
- Minimum rear setback: None required (non-residential uses; at least 10 ft where the lot line abuts or is opposite a residential zone district)
- Maximum lot coverage: None required
- Maximum density: no maximum (New residential mixed use developments and residential developments.)
CD-C (Downtown Commercial (CD) district, CD-C subdistrict) 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 CD-C
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: within 150 ft of an abutting residential district, non-residential buildings may not exceed that district's height limit § 18.18.060 · code textTable row “Standard”, column “CD-C”: 50 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | None required § 18.18.060 · code textTable row “Front Yard (ft)”, column “CD-C”: None required |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: non-residential uses; at least 10 ft where the lot line abuts or is opposite a residential zone district § 18.18.060 · code textTable row “Interior Side Yard (ft)”, column “CD-C”: 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 zone district § 18.18.060 · code textTable row “Rear Yard (ft)”, column “CD-C”: None required |
| Maximum lot coverage | None required § 18.18.060 · code textTable row “Maximum Site Coverage”, column “CD-C”: None required |
| Maximum density | no maximum Applies: New residential mixed use developments and residential developments. See note 2 below the table in the code. § 18.18.060 · code textTable row “Residential Density (net) (2)”, column “CD-C”: No maximum Note 2: Residential density shall be computed based upon the total site area, irrespective of the percent of the site devoted to commercial use. There shall be no deduction for that portion of the site area in nonresidential use. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CD-C:
- Maximum building height: 40 ft — Mixed use and residential development within 150 ft of an abutting residential district (not RM-40 or PC zone). § 18.18.060
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — Residential portion of new residential mixed use developments and residential developments. § 18.18.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.0 — Exclusively non-residential uses and alterations to non-residential uses or structures. § 18.18.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.0 — Hotels where they are a permitted use. § 18.18.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.0 — Maximum residential FAR for new residential mixed use developments and residential developments. § 18.18.060
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot size, FAR limit for CD-C 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 CD-C zone?
50 ft (within 150 ft of an abutting residential district, non-residential buildings may not exceed that district's height limit) — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.18.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Palo Alto's CD-C zone?
None required — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.18.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Palo Alto's CD-C zone?
None required (non-residential uses; at least 10 ft where the lot line abuts or is opposite a residential zone district) — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.18.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Palo Alto's CD-C zone?
None required (non-residential uses; at least 10 ft where the lot line abuts or is opposite a residential zone district) — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.18.060.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Palo Alto's CD-C zone?
None required — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.18.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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