Palo Alto · Zoning · NV-MXM
Palo Alto NV-MXM zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Palo Alto's NV-MXM zone, generally buildings can be up to 55 ft tall, the front setback is sufficient to create a 12 ft effective sidewalk width and the minimum lot size is No minimum, with the conditions listed below (Palo Alto code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 55 ft
- Minimum front setback: sufficient to create a 12 ft effective sidewalk width (El Camino Real frontage only; each street has its own setback, listed below.)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft (Residential portion)
- Minimum lot size: No minimum
- Maximum lot coverage: 100%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.0:1
- Maximum density: none required
NV-MXM (North Ventura Mixed-Use Medium) 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-MXM
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 | 55 ft § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Standard”, column “NV-MXM”: 55' |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | sufficient to create a 12 ft effective sidewalk width Applies: El Camino Real frontage only; each street has its own setback, listed below. See notes 1, 2 below the table in the code. § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Street Yard (ft)”, column “NV-MXM”: El Camino Real: sufficient to create a 12' effective sidewalk width (1)(2) El Camino Real: sufficient to create a 12' effective sidewalk width (1)(2) Pepper: 10' Olive Ave: 10' Ash St: 5' Park Blvd: 15' Lambert Ave: 5' Portage Ave: 5' Acacia Ave: 5' Note 1: No parking or loading space, whether required or optional, shall be located in the first 10 feet adjoining the street property line of any required yard. Note 2: Any minimum front, street side, or interior yard shall be planted and maintained as a landscaped screen excluding areas required for access to the site. A solid wall or fence between 5 and 8 feet in height shall be constructed along any common interior lot line. |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Interior Side Yard (ft)”, column “NV-MXM”: 5' |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft Applies: Residential portion § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Rear Yard (ft)”, column “NV-MXM”: 10' for residential portion/none for commercial portion |
| 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-MXM”: None Required |
| Maximum lot coverage | 100% § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Maximum Lot Coverage (%)”, column “NV-MXM”: 100 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 2.0:1 § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Total Mixed-Use FAR”, column “NV-MXM”: 2.0:1 |
| Maximum density | none required § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Maximum units per acre”, column “NV-MXM”: None Required |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in NV-MXM:
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — Pepper § 18.29.060
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — Olive Ave § 18.29.060
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft — Ash St § 18.29.060
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft — Park Blvd § 18.29.060
- Minimum rear setback: None required — Commercial portion § 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-MXM 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-MXM zone?
55 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Palo Alto's NV-MXM zone?
sufficient to create a 12 ft effective sidewalk width (el Camino Real 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-MXM zone?
5 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Palo Alto's NV-MXM zone?
10 ft (residential portion) — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
What is the minimum lot size in Palo Alto's NV-MXM zone?
No minimum — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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