Palo Alto · Zoning · NV-MXL
Palo Alto NV-MXL zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Palo Alto's NV-MXL zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 5 ft and the minimum lot size is No minimum, with the conditions listed below (Palo Alto code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft (Ash St frontage only; each street has its own setback, listed below.)
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft
- Minimum lot size: No minimum
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.5:1
- Maximum density: none required
NV-MXL (North Ventura Mixed-Use Low) 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 NV-MXL
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 § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Standard”, column “NV-MXL”: 35' |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 5 ft Applies: Ash St frontage only; each street has its own setback, listed below. § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Street Yard (ft)”, column “NV-MXL”: Ash St.: 5' Olive Ave.: 10' Portage Ave: 0' Pepper Ave: 10' |
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Interior Side Yard (ft)”, column “NV-MXL”: 10' |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Rear Yard (ft)”, column “NV-MXL”: 10' |
| Minimum lot size | No minimum § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Minimum Site Specifications Site Area (ft 2 ) Site Width (ft) Site Depth (ft)”, column “NV-MXL”: None Required |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Maximum Lot Coverage (%)”, column “NV-MXL”: 50 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.5:1 See note 4 below the table in the code. § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Total Mixed-Use FAR”, column “NV-MXL”: 0.5:1 (4) Note 4: As provided in 18.29.060(c), maximum FAR for hotels shall be 2.0:1. Hotel projects in the NV-MXL zone may reach a Total Mixed-Use FAR of 2.0:1. |
| Maximum density | none required § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Maximum units per acre”, column “NV-MXL”: None Required |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in NV-MXL:
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — Olive Ave. § 18.29.060
- Minimum front setback: 0 ft — Portage Ave § 18.29.060
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — Pepper Ave § 18.29.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.25:1 — Nonresidential use § 18.29.060
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories limit for NV-MXL 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 NV-MXL zone?
35 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Palo Alto's NV-MXL zone?
5 ft (ash St frontage only; each street has its own setback, listed below) — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Palo Alto's NV-MXL zone?
10 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Palo Alto's NV-MXL zone?
10 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
What is the minimum lot size in Palo Alto's NV-MXL zone?
No minimum — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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