San Pablo · Zoning · EMU
San Pablo EMU zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In San Pablo's EMU zone, generally buildings can be up to 60 ft tall, the front setback is None required and the minimum lot size is No minimum, with the conditions listed below (San Pablo code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 60 ft
- Minimum front setback: None required
- Minimum side setback: None required (10 ft where the side abuts a residential district or a conforming residential use)
- Minimum rear setback: None required (10 ft where the rear of the parcel abuts a residential district or a residential use)
- Minimum lot size: No minimum (Minimum parcel size of 0.25 acres required for multifamily residential uses.)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.6 (nonresidential uses only; no applicable FAR maximum for residential uses)
- Maximum density: 60 du/ac
EMU is a zoning district in San Pablo. Every value below was read from the San Pablo 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 EMU
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 | 60 ft § 17.34.040 · code textTable row “Maximum building height (feet)”, column “EMU”: 60 |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | None required § 17.34.040 · code textNo front yard setback is required. |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: 10 ft where the side abuts a residential district or a conforming residential use § 17.34.040 · code textNo side yard setback is required except where the side of a parcel abuts the side of a parcel in a residential district or a parcel on which a conforming residential use is located, in which case the side yard shall be not less than ten feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | None required Applies: 10 ft where the rear of the parcel abuts a residential district or a residential use § 17.34.040 · code textNo rear yard setback is required except where the rear of a parcel abuts a residential district or a parcel on which a residential use is located, in which case the rear yard shall not be less than ten feet. |
| Minimum lot size | No minimum Applies: Minimum parcel size of 0.25 acres required for multifamily residential uses. § 17.34.040 · code textTable row “Minimum parcel area (sf)”, column “EMU”: No minimum 3 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.6 Applies: nonresidential uses only; no applicable FAR maximum for residential uses § 17.34.040 · code textTable row “Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)”, column “EMU”: 0.6 4 |
| Maximum density | 60 du/ac § 17.34.040 · code textTable row “Maximum density (du/ac)”, column “EMU”: 60 |
Uses in EMU
Uses the code's use tables allow in EMU, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Apartment building — Allowed — see note
- Child care center — Needs an use permit (conditional use permit, 17.20.040)
- Kennel — Needs an use permit (conditional use permit, 17.20.040)
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in EMU:
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — where the side of a parcel abuts the side of a parcel in a residential district or a parcel on which a conforming residential use is located § 17.34.040
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — where the rear of a parcel abuts a residential district or a parcel on which a residential use is located § 17.34.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage limit for EMU in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the San Pablo Municipal Code.
Other San Pablo zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in San Pablo's EMU zone?
60 ft — San Pablo Municipal Code § 17.34.040.
What is the minimum front setback in San Pablo's EMU zone?
None required — San Pablo Municipal Code § 17.34.040.
What is the minimum side setback in San Pablo's EMU zone?
None required (10 ft where the side abuts a residential district or a conforming residential use) — San Pablo Municipal Code § 17.34.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in San Pablo's EMU zone?
None required (10 ft where the rear of the parcel abuts a residential district or a residential use) — San Pablo Municipal Code § 17.34.040.
What is the minimum lot size in San Pablo's EMU zone?
No minimum (minimum parcel size of 0.25 acres required for multifamily residential uses) — San Pablo Municipal Code § 17.34.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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