Earlier editions: 2026-09
Menlo Park Municipal Code Ch. 16.60 Encroachments and Balconies
Menlo Park Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Menlo Park
Cite as: Menlo Park Municipal Code Chapter 16.60 · Text as of 2026-10-04
§ 16.60.010. Permitted—Into yards.¶
Unless otherwise provided for a specific zoning district, encroachments permitted into yards are as follows:
Table 1
| Encroachment type | Front yard | Side yard | Side yard | Rear yard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encroachment type | Front yard | Setback less than 10 feet | Setback greater than 10 feet | Rear yard | Notes |
| Architectural features (cornices, eaves, canopies, fireplaces) | 3 feet | 18 inches | 3 feet | 3 feet | Subject to architectural control, canopies over walkways to multiple dwellings may extend to the property line |
| Porches, decks, landing places or stairways | Not to exceed 6 feet | Within 4 feet of any side lot line | Within 4 feet of any side lot line | Not to exceed 6 feet | Permitted only if open and uncovered |
| Electric equipment enclosures (as defined in Section 16.04.296 ) 1 | None | Not to exceed 4 feet into any required side yard setback and provided enclosure shall be a minimum of 3 feet from any side lot line | Not to exceed 4 feet into any required side yard setback and provided enclosure shall be a minimum of 3 feet from any side lot line | Not to exceed 4 feet into any required rear yard setback and provided enclosure shall be a minimum of 3 feet from the rear lot line | Enclosures proposed for condominium developments (as defined in Section 15.34.010 ) shall be located entirely within the exclusive use area for the dwelling utilizing the enclosure |
| Notes: |
|---|
| 1 Unenclosed electric equipment, as defined in Section 16.04.296 , and mechanical equipment (e.g. heat pump air compressor and air conditioning units) not exceeding four (4) feet in height may be located between a dwelling and the street, including within the front setback, provided it is screened with adequate landscaping or fencing to the height of the equipment and compliant with Chapter 16.64 . Unenclosed equipment located in the side or rear setback must meet the same requirements as electric equipment enclosures. |
(Ord. 1102 § 9, 2023)
§ 16.60.020. Balconies.¶
A balcony is a platform which projects more than eighteen inches (18") from the wall of a building and which is required by law to be surrounded by a railing. In the single family residential districts, balconies and/or decks above the first floor shall be located twenty (20) feet or more from the side property lines and thirty (30) feet or more from the rear property line.
In residential districts other than single family, balconies and/or decks above the first floor may be located at the building setback line, except when abutting a single family residential district where balconies and/or decks above the first floor on any side directly abutting a single family district shall be located twenty (20) feet or more from the side property lines and thirty (30) feet or more from the rear property line; notwithstanding, subject to obtaining a use permit, balconies and/or decks may be located at the building setback lines.
In the commercial and/or industrial districts balconies and/or decks above the first floor may be located at the building setback line, except when abutting a single family residential district where balconies and/or decks above the first floor on any side directly abutting a single family district shall be located twenty (20) feet or more from the side property lines and thirty (30) feet or more from the rear property line; notwithstanding, subject to obtaining a use permit, balconies and/or decks may be located at the building setback lines.
(Ord. 791 § 2 (c), 1989; Ord. 822 § 4, 1991; Ord. 858 § 2, 1994)
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Editor's Note: See Supplemental Illustrations included as an attachment to this title.
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