Redwood City CN zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

CN (Neighborhood Commercial) is a zoning district in Redwood City. Every value below was read from the Redwood City 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 CN

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 Applies: or two stories, whichever is less § 13.5 · code text No structure shall exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height or two (2) stories, whichever is less.
Maximum number of stories	2 stories § 13.5 · code text No structure shall exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height or two (2) stories, whichever is less.
Minimum front setback	None required Applies: within 50 ft of an R District: same front yard as that district; 5 ft landscaped setback where abutting El Camino Real § 13.9 · code text None required; except that within fifty (50) feet of any R District, a front yard having the same minimum depth as the front yard required in such R District shall be required; excepting, further, that a minimum building setback of five (5) feet, containing permanently maintained landscaping, shall be required for properties abutting El Camino Real.
Minimum side setback	None required § 13.9 · code text None required, except that on the street side of a corner lot and the side of any interior lot abutting any R District, a side yard having a minimum width of fifteen (15) feet is required.
Minimum rear setback	10 ft § 13.9 · code text Rear yards shall have a minimum depth of ten (10) feet.
Minimum lot size	5,000 sq ft § 13.6 · code text The minimum building site area shall be five thousand (5,000) square feet.
Maximum lot coverage	No limitation § 13.8 · code text No limitation.
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	0.4 § 13.12 · code text The maximum floor area ratio shall be forty percent (40%).

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CN:

Minimum front setback: 5 ft — Properties abutting El Camino Real; setback must contain permanently maintained landscaping § 13.9
Minimum side setback: 15 ft — On the street side of a corner lot § 13.9
Minimum side setback: 15 ft — Side of any interior lot abutting any R District § 13.9

Not on this page

We did not find a general density limit for CN in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Redwood City Municipal Code.

Other Redwood City zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Redwood City's CN zone?

35 ft (or two stories, whichever is less) — Redwood City Municipal Code § 13.5.

What is the maximum number of stories in Redwood City's CN zone?

2 stories — Redwood City Municipal Code § 13.5.

What is the minimum front setback in Redwood City's CN zone?

None required (within 50 ft of an R District: same front yard as that district; 5 ft landscaped setback where abutting El Camino Real) — Redwood City Municipal Code § 13.9.

What is the minimum side setback in Redwood City's CN zone?

None required — Redwood City Municipal Code § 13.9.

What is the minimum rear setback in Redwood City's CN zone?

10 ft — Redwood City Municipal Code § 13.9.

General information, not legal advice.