Palo Alto · Zoning · CD-N
Palo Alto CD-N zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Palo Alto's CD-N zone, generally buildings can be up to 25 ft tall and the front setback is 10 ft, with the conditions listed below (Palo Alto code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 25 ft (Exclusively non-residential uses and alterations to non-residential uses or structures.)
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft
- 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: 50%
- Maximum density: 30 units per acre (New residential mixed use developments and residential developments.)
CD-N (Downtown Commercial (CD) district, CD-N 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-N
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 | 25 ft Applies: Exclusively non-residential uses and alterations to non-residential uses or structures. § 18.18.060 · code textTable row “Standard”, column “CD-N”: 25 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft See note 1 below the table in the code. § 18.18.060 · code textTable row “Front Yard (ft)”, column “CD-N”: 10 (1) Note 1: The yard shall be planted and maintained as a landscaped screen, excluding area required for site access. |
| 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-N”: 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-N”: None required |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 18.18.060 · code textTable row “Maximum Site Coverage”, column “CD-N”: 50% |
| Maximum density | 30 units per acre 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-N”: 30 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-N:
- Maximum building height: 35 ft — New residential mixed use developments and residential developments. § 18.18.060
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — If abutting residential zone, for new residential mixed use developments and residential developments. § 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): 0.4 — Exclusively non-residential uses and alterations to non-residential uses or structures. § 18.18.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.5 — Maximum residential FAR for new residential mixed use developments and residential developments. § 18.18.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.9 — Total 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-N 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-N zone?
25 ft (exclusively non-residential uses and alterations to non-residential uses or structures) — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.18.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Palo Alto's CD-N zone?
10 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.18.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Palo Alto's CD-N 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-N 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-N zone?
50% — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.18.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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