Westminster · Zoning · CM
Westminster CM zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Westminster's CM zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft (2 stories) tall, the front setback is 50 ft and the minimum lot size is 6,000 square feet, with the conditions listed below (Westminster code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (for uses permitted in the M1 zone; a planned, unified shopping center is limited to the width of its street instead)
- Maximum number of stories: 2 stories (for uses permitted in the M1 zone; a planned, unified shopping center is limited to the width of its street instead)
- Minimum front setback: 50 ft (to the centerline of the street upon which the building site fronts)
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft (when neither a residential neighbor nor a public right-of-way adjoins the side yard)
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft (5 ft if the rear yard adjoins a public alley, park or pedestrian way; 25 ft if the property adjoins residentially zoned property)
- Minimum lot size: 6,000 square feet (planned, unified shopping center; 10,000 sq ft for uses permitted in the M1 zone)
CM is a zoning district in Westminster. Every value below was read from the Westminster 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 CM
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: for uses permitted in the M1 zone; a planned, unified shopping center is limited to the width of its street instead § 17.230.015 · code textTable row “Building/structures”, column “CM 1”: 2 stories or 35 feet |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 2 stories Applies: for uses permitted in the M1 zone; a planned, unified shopping center is limited to the width of its street instead § 17.230.015 · code textTable row “Building/structures”, column “CM 1”: 2 stories or 35 feet |
| Minimum front setback | 50 ft Applies: to the centerline of the street upon which the building site fronts § 17.220.015 · code textTable row “Minimum front yard required”, column “CM 1”: 50 feet to the centerline of the street upon that the building site fronts 4 |
| Minimum side setback | 0 ft Applies: when neither a residential neighbor nor a public right-of-way adjoins the side yard § 17.230.015 · code textTable row “Minimum side yard”, column “CM 1”: 0 feet; or 20 feet, if the adjoining property is zoned for residential purposes. 3 Where the side yard adjoins a public right-of-way, the width of the side yard shall be not less than 10 feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft Applies: 5 ft if the rear yard adjoins a public alley, park or pedestrian way; 25 ft if the property adjoins residentially zoned property § 17.220.015 · code textTable row “Minimum rear yard required”, column “CM 1”: 10 feet; or 5 feet if the rear yard adjoins a public alley, public park, or public pedestrian way; or 25 feet if the property adjoins property zoned for residential purposes 2 |
| Minimum lot size | 6,000 square feet Applies: planned, unified shopping center; 10,000 sq ft for uses permitted in the M1 zone § 17.220.015 · code textTable row “Minimum lot size”, column “CM 1”: 6,000 square feet as required by Title 16 (Subdivisions) |
Uses in CM
Uses the code's use tables allow in CM, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CM:
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft or 20% of street width, whichever is greater, but no more than 30 ft — For streets 80 feet or more in width § 17.230.015
- Minimum front setback: 70 ft — State Highways, from centerline of street § 17.230.015
- Minimum front setback: 20% of street width, but not more than 30 ft — State Highways if width is more than 100 feet § 17.230.015
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft — if the adjoining property is zoned for residential purposes § 17.220.015
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — if the property adjoins a public right-of-way § 17.220.015
- Minimum rear setback: 5 ft — if the rear yard adjoins a public alley, public park, or public pedestrian way § 17.220.015
- Minimum rear setback: 25 ft — if the property adjoins property zoned for residential purposes § 17.220.015
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot coverage, FAR, density limit for CM in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Westminster Municipal Code.
Other Westminster zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Westminster's CM zone?
35 ft (for uses permitted in the M1 zone; a planned, unified shopping center is limited to the width of its street instead) — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.230.015.
What is the maximum number of stories in Westminster's CM zone?
2 stories (for uses permitted in the M1 zone; a planned, unified shopping center is limited to the width of its street instead) — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.230.015.
What is the minimum front setback in Westminster's CM zone?
50 ft (to the centerline of the street upon which the building site fronts) — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.220.015.
What is the minimum side setback in Westminster's CM zone?
0 ft (when neither a residential neighbor nor a public right-of-way adjoins the side yard) — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.230.015.
What is the minimum rear setback in Westminster's CM zone?
10 ft (5 ft if the rear yard adjoins a public alley, park or pedestrian way; 25 ft if the property adjoins residentially zoned property) — Westminster Municipal Code § 17.220.015.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Westminster property in CM
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question