Chapter 25.30 — RULES OF MEASUREMENT

This chapter provides general rules for measurement and calculation applicable to all zoning districts unless otherwise stated in this title. (Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)

A. Parking Spaces. If the number of on-site parking spaces for a use required by this title contains a fraction, that fraction shall be rounded to the nearest whole number. Any such fraction equal to or greater than 0.50 shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number, and any such fraction less than 0.50 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

B. Dwelling Units.

1. Residential Density. When the number of dwelling units allowed on a site is
calculated based on the minimum site area per dwelling unit, any fraction of a unit
shall be rounded down to the next lowest whole number. For projects eligible for a
density bonus pursuant to Government Code Section 65915 or any successor statute
and Section 25.33.010 (Density Bonus), any fractional number of permitted density
bonus units shall be rounded up to the next whole number.

2. Other Calculations. For calculations other than residential density, the fractional/
decimal results of calculations of 0.5 or greater shall be rounded up to the nearest
whole number and fractions of less than 0.5 shall be rounded down to the nearest
whole number, except as otherwise provided.

3. Other Fractions. Notwithstanding subsections B.1 and B.2 above, when a
measurement is expressed in terms of maximum or minimum limits or requirements,
any other fractional measurement shall not be rounded. For example, if a maximum
height for a building is 35 feet and the proposed building measures 35 feet and six
inches, then the height is not in compliance with the requirement.
(Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)

A. Measurements Are Shortest Distance. Where a required distance is indicated, such as the minimum distance between a structure and a lot line, the measurement shall be made at the closest or shortest distance between the two objects, unless otherwise specifically stated.

B. Distances Are Measured Horizontally. When determining distances for setbacks, all
distances shall be measured along a horizontal plane from the appropriate line, edge of
building, structure, storage area, parking area, or other object. These distances shall not be
measured by following the topography or slope of the land unless otherwise specifically
stated.

C. Measurements Involving a Structure. Measurements involving a structure shall be made to
the closest support element of the structure and to improvements that are more than 30
inches above adjacent grade, such as an uncovered deck. Structures or portions of structures
that are underground shall not be included in measuring required distances unless otherwise
specifically stated.

D. Measuring Distances to a Major Transit Stop. Measurements to a major transit stop shall
be taken as a straight line from the nearest parcel property line of the subject property to
the nearest parcel property line of the closest major transit stop.
(Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)

A. Buildings or Structures.

1. General. On flat lots and lots with an average (cross-parcel) slope of less than 20%,
building height shall be measured as the vertical distance between the average top of
curb (taken from the corners of the lot extended) and the highest edge of a gable, hip,
or shed roof or top of parapet. On corner lots the average top of curb is calculated
using the corners of the lot considered to be the front.

2. Downward Slope. On lots that slope downward more than 20% toward the rear of the
lot, the maximum height of the building shall not exceed 20 feet above the curb level,
irrespective of the number of stories at the rear of the building.

3. Upward Slope. On lots that slope upward more than 20% toward the rear of the lot,
the maximum height of the building shall not exceed 30 feet above average grade, as
measured 15 feet from the front property line at the intersection of the side property
line elevation points.

Figure 25.30-1: Measurement of Structure Height: Upward Slopes of 20% or
Greater

4. Height Exceptions.

a. See Chapter 25.78 (Special Permit).

5. Allowed Projections.

a. Elevators and Stairwells. Elevator shafts and stairwells up to 14 feet in height, as measured from the roof surface, are allowed to exceed the maximum height
limit. Any such structures shall be integrated into the overall architectural
design.

b. Mechanical Equipment. Mechanical equipment is allowed to exceed the height
limit and may be placed on rooftops only if the equipment is not visible from
the public right-of-way or adjacent properties at grade, except for solar
collectors that are compatible with the roof line and architecturally integrated
with the structure. Building-mounted telecommunications facilities, antennas,
and microwave equipment shall comply with the provisions of the City's
wireless communications facilities regulations.

c. Roof Area. Elevators, stairwells, and mechanical equipment shall not cover
more than 80% of the roof area and shall comply with subsections A.5.a. and
A.5.b, above. If more than 25% of the roof area is covered by mechanical
equipment, it shall be adequately screened by the building parapet or with
screening with a design and materials matching those of the building.

B. Fences, Walls, and Hedges. Except as provided in Section 25.31.070 (Fences, Walls, and
Hedges), the height of a fence or hedge shall be measured from the highest adjacent grade.
(Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)

A. Lot Width. Lot width is the horizontal distance between the side lot lines measured at right angles to the lot depth line, measured from the front property line or at the required front setback line, whichever is greater.

B. Lot Depth. Lot depth is the measured distance along an imaginary straight line drawn from
the midpoint of the front property line of the lot to the midpoint of the rear property line or
to the most distant point on any other lot line where there is no rear lot line.
(Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)

A. Generally. The floor area of a building shall be the sum of all floors of a building or buildings, as measured to the outside surfaces of the exterior walls of the structure or structures and including such areas as halls, stairways, covered porches and balconies, elevator shafts, service and mechanical equipment rooms and basements, cellars, and improved space in attic areas.

B. Parking Excluded. Floor area shall exclude parking garages and parking structures for
commercial, industrial, multi-unit and mixed-use buildings, either above ground or
underground.

C. Single-Unit Residential.

1. Inclusions. Floor area shall include the residential floor area of any building(s) located
on the lot, including the main dwelling, detached accessory structures, all garage area,
covered patios, and basements with a ceiling height of seven feet or greater (as
measured from the finished floor to the ceiling or bottom of the floor joists of the floor
above the basement), unless otherwise noted in subsection C.2. The floor area of enclosed stairways within the structure shall be counted on each floor. The floor area
of open spaces within a structure with a ceiling height greater than 12 feet shall be
counted on each floor.

2. Exclusions. The following shall be excluded for the purposes of calculating floor area:

a. Basements up to 600 square feet in area with a ceiling height of seven feet or
greater if it meets both of the following standards:

i. The top of the finished floor above the basement is less than two feet above
existing grade; and

ii. No part of the basement is intended or used for parking.

b. Covered porches or decks on the first floor totaling up to the first 200 square
feet which face a street and are not located on the rear of the dwelling. An area
under a balcony shall be considered a covered porch if the balcony is over an
exterior exit from the building. If a covered porch is greater than 200 square feet,
then only the square footage above 200 square feet shall count towards the
overall floor area.

c. Lower floor or basement of 100 square feet or less solely used for mechanical
equipment.

d. Crawl space between the surface of the ground or floor and the bottom of the
first floor joists that measures less than seven feet in height.

e. Open spaces under decks that are open on at least two sides.

f. Uncovered front entrance stairs and stoops.

g. Covered walkways.

h. Non-habitable attic areas. In all other cases, attic areas that are made habitable
and accessible and contain a ceiling height of seven feet or greater shall be
counted as floor area.

Figure 25.30-2: Habitable Attic Areas

i. Patio covers and trellises at the side or rear of the house that are open on at least
two sides (up to a maximum of one detached and one attached) up to a maximum
of 120 square feet. If the structure is greater than 120 square feet, then only the
square footage above 120 square feet shall count towards the overall floor area ratio.

j. Decorative trellises with no ground supports, extending up to three feet from the
exterior wall of the house.

k. Cornices and eaves.

l. Fireplace chimneys.

m. Bay and greenhouse windows located on the first floor if all of the following
conditions are met:

i. Footprint of each window shall not exceed 20 square feet; and

ii. Total cumulative bay/greenhouse window area shall not exceed 60 square
feet.

n. Uncovered balconies.

o. Mechanical equipment.

p. Accessory dwelling units which comply with the provisions of Section
25.48.030.

D. Nonresidential.

1. Floor Area Ratio Calculation. In calculating the floor area ratio for commercial
development, the measurement shall apply to the gross floor area of the building and
does not include basements or cellars.

2. Exemptions. Exempted from floor area ratio computation for commercial
development are:

a. Chimneys, cupolas, and flag poles.

b. Canopies at entrances to buildings.

c. Balconies (uncovered or covered).

d. Covered walkways and arcades.

e. Ground level trellises.

f. Trash enclosures.

g. Water tanks, elevator penthouses, and other mechanical appurtenances.

h. Fire or hose towers.

i. Ground level service yards, if open to the sky, and which may otherwise be partially enclosed.

E. Mixed Use.

1. Mixed-Use Residential/Commercial. In a mixed-use building that includes residential
and nonresidential uses, floor area ratio (FAR) maximums shall apply to only the nonresidential component of the development; the density standards shall apply only
to any residential component of development on a site. The nonresidential (FAR) and
residential (density) components are additive.

2. Multiple FARs. In some of the commercial zoning districts, a separate maximum
floor area ratio is established for a particular use on a lot as well as a maximum overall
floor area ratio for a lot.
(Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)

A. Generally. Structures included in lot coverage calculations shall include building or structures that are 30 inches in height or more above adjacent existing grade and shall be measured from exterior walls, exclusive of projecting, unenclosed architectural features.

1. Excluded from Lot Coverage. The following features shall not count toward lot
coverage. Covered porches or decks on the first floor totaling up to the first 200
square feet which face a street and are not located on the rear of the dwelling. An area
under a balcony shall be considered a covered porch if the balcony is over an exterior
exit from the building. If a covered porch is greater than 200 square feet, then only
the square footage above 200 square feet shall count towards the overall lot coverage.

2. Patio covers and trellises that are open on at least two sides (up to a maximum of one
detached or attached) up to a maximum of 120 square feet. If the structure is greater
than 120 square feet, then only the square footage above 120 square feet shall count
towards the overall floor area ratio.

3. Uncovered swimming pools and spas, sports courts, and other athletic and/or
recreational surfaces that are not more than 30 inches above the adjacent finished
grade, at any point, on which they are placed.

4. Cornices and eaves.

5. Front entrance stairs and stoops if uncovered and not more than four feet above grade.

6. Fireplace chimneys.

7. Outdoor kitchens and fire pits.

8. Bay and greenhouse windows located on the first floor if all the following conditions
are met:

a. Footprint of each window shall not exceed 20 square feet; and

b. Total cumulative bay/greenhouse window area shall not exceed 60 square feet.

9. Uncovered balconies projecting up to four feet from the building.

10. Basements.

11. Mechanical equipment.

12. Upper floor cantilevers projecting up to 30 inches from the building.

13. Any attached or detached accessory dwelling unit which complies with the provisions of Section 25.48.030.
(Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)

A. Generally. All setback distances shall be measured at right angles from the designated property line to the building or structure, and the setback line shall be drawn parallel to and at the specified distance from the corresponding front, side, or rear property line.

Figure 25.30-3: Setbacks

B. Interior Side Setbacks. If front and rear lot lines are equal, the lot width for determining an
interior side setback shall be measured from the front property line. If front and rear lot
lines are unequal, the setback shall be based on the width of the lot as measured between
the midpoints of the two side lot lines.

C. Rear Property Line Exception. Where no rear property line is within 45 degrees of being
parallel to the front lot line, a line 10 feet in length within the lot, parallel to and at the
maximum possible distance from the front lot line, will be deemed the rear lot line for the
purpose of establishing the minimum rear setback.

Figure 25.30-4: Setbacks on Irregular Lots

D. Sloped Lots. For sloped lots, the measurement shall be made as a straight, horizontal line
from the property line to the edge of the structure, not up or down the hill slope.

Figure 25.30-5: Setback Measurement for Sloped Lots

E. Flag Lots. For flag lots, the pole portion of the parcel shall not be used for defining setback
lines.

F. Other Irregularly Shaped Lots. For irregular shaped lots not covered herein, the Director
will determine setbacks.
(Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)

A. General. In residential zones, architectural and similar features may extend into required setback areas as identified in Table 25.30-1 (Allowable Projections into Required Setback in Residential Zones).

Table 25.30-1 Allowable Projections into Required Setback In Residential Zones
Type of Projection Allowable Projection
Cornices, eaves Must be located at least 2 feet from any property line
Stairs and stoops 6 feet into required front setback; must be uncovered
and not extend more than 4 feet above grade
Covered porches 5 feet into required front setback
Bay windows on first floor 2 feet; maximum of 20 sq. ft. each; cumulative total of
60 sq. ft.; must be located at least 4 feet from side
property line
Fireplace chimneys 2 feet; maximum of 6 feet in width; 2 feet from
property line
Greenhouse windows 1 foot; 3 feet above finished floor; maximum 17 sq. ft.;
3 feet from any property line
Open balconies in multi-unit 4 feet; maximum of 16 feet in width; 10-foot separation
buildings if multiple balconies but must be located at least 4 feet
from property lines

Table 25.30-1 Allowable Projections into Required Setback In Residential Zones Type of Projection Allowable Projection Basements and underground Front — Shall not extend past required front setback parking garages line. Side — Shall not extend past required side setback line, and in no case be closer than 4 feet to side property line. Rear — May extend into rear setback up to 10 feet from rear property line. See also Section 25.03.080.H. Basement lightwells and stairs 6 feet; must be uncovered Mechanical equipment Tankless water heaters 2 feet Equipment for swimming Allowed if located 10 feet from property line; may be pools, spas, water features located closer to property line if enclosed and determined to be adequately sound insulated by Building Official Air conditioning equipment As established in the Building Code and as regulated by City noise restrictions Public utility structures Allowed

B. Basements and parking facilities constructed entirely below ground level shall be subject
to the following limitations:

1. Plans for underground garages, together with methods of access and egress for the
vehicles, must be prepared and submitted for approval by the Planning Commission
prior to the issuance of a building permit.

2. Allowance shall be made on the surface of the structure lying within a required yard
or setback area, where permitted, to provide for landscaping.

3. The uppermost portion of any structure or attachment thereto within any required yard
or setback area, where permitted, shall not extend above natural grade.

4. On lots abutting or fronting El Camino Real, basements and underground garages
may not be constructed within any portion of the required setback area on such
frontage.
(Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)

In commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zoning districts, architectural and similar features may extend into required setback areas as identified in Table 25.30-2.

Table 25.30-2: Allowed Projections into Required Setbacks in Commercial, Industrial and
Mixed-Use Zoning Districts
Type of Projection Allowable Projection
Architectural features
Cornices, canopies, eaves, buttresses, 30 inches
chimneys, solar collectors, shading louvers,
reflectors, water heater enclosures, and bay or
other projecting windows
Uncovered balconies, uncovered porches, 5 feet or setback required by Building and
decks, fire escapes, exit stairs Fire Codes
Basements and underground garages As set forth in Section 25.30.090.B
(Allowed Projections in Residential Zones)
Mechanical equipment
Tankless water heaters 2 feet
Equipment for swimming pools, spas, water Allowed if located a minimum of 3 feet
features from property line and are acoustically
shielded or otherwise treated to ensure
compliance with City noise control
regulations
Public utility structures
Fences, walls, and hedges As permitted by Section 25.31.070
Signs As permitted by Chapter 25.42
Trash enclosures See Section 25.31.130

(Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)