San Carlos · Zoning · IH
San Carlos IH zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In San Carlos's IH zone, generally buildings can be up to 50 ft tall, the front setback is 5 ft and the minimum lot size is 20,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (San Carlos code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 50 ft (Near an RS district, lower limits apply: 30 ft within 40 ft, 40 ft within 50 ft, 50 ft within 100 ft.)
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 0 ft
- Minimum lot size: 20,000 sq ft
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.0
IH is a zoning district in San Carlos. Every value below was read from the San Carlos 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 IH
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: Near an RS district, lower limits apply: 30 ft within 40 ft, 40 ft within 50 ft, 50 ft within 100 ft. § 18.07.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Height (ft.)”, column “IH”: 50 (A) |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 5 ft § 18.07.030 · code textTable row “Front”, column “IH”: 5, 10 along arterials |
| Minimum side setback | 0 ft § 18.07.030 · code textTable row “Interior Side”, column “IH”: 0 (A) |
| Minimum rear setback | 0 ft § 18.07.030 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “IH”: 0 (A) |
| Minimum lot size | 20,000 sq ft § 18.07.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Lot Size (sq. ft.)”, column “IH”: 20,000 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 2.0 § 18.07.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR)”, column “IH”: 2.0 |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in IH:
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — along arterials § 18.07.030
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft — where an industrial district adjoins an RS district; from an RS district boundary § 18.07.030
- Minimum rear setback: 30 ft — where an industrial district adjoins an RS district; from an RS district boundary § 18.07.030
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.0 — Project sites of more than one acre § 18.07.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage, density limit for IH in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the San Carlos Municipal Code.
Other San Carlos zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in San Carlos's IH zone?
50 ft (near an RS district, lower limits apply: 30 ft within 40 ft, 40 ft within 50 ft, 50 ft within 100 ft) — San Carlos Municipal Code § 18.07.030.
What is the minimum front setback in San Carlos's IH zone?
5 ft — San Carlos Municipal Code § 18.07.030.
What is the minimum side setback in San Carlos's IH zone?
0 ft — San Carlos Municipal Code § 18.07.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in San Carlos's IH zone?
0 ft — San Carlos Municipal Code § 18.07.030.
What is the minimum lot size in San Carlos's IH zone?
20,000 sq ft — San Carlos Municipal Code § 18.07.030.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a San Carlos property in IH
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question