Alameda County · Zoning · C-N
Alameda County C-N zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Alameda County's C-N zone, buildings can be up to 35 ft tall and the front setback is 20 ft (Alameda County code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: 20 ft
- Minimum side setback: None required (abutting an R district side lot: that district minimum side yard; 10 ft on the street side of a corner lot)
- Minimum rear setback: None required (15 ft where the abutting rear lot is in an R district)
C-N is a zoning district in Alameda County. Every value below was read from the Alameda County 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 C-N
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 § 17.36.060 · code textNo building or structure in a C-N district shall have a height in excess of thirty-five (35) feet except as provided by Section 17.52.090. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 20 ft § 17.36.050 · code textA. Depth of front yard: not less than twenty (20) feet; |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: abutting an R district side lot: that district minimum side yard; 10 ft on the street side of a corner lot § 17.36.050 · code textC. Width of side yard: none, except that where the abutting lot at the side is in any R district, there shall be side yard having a width not less than the minimum required in such R district and the side yard on the street side of a corner lot shall be not less than ten feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | None required Applies: 15 ft where the abutting rear lot is in an R district § 17.36.050 · code textB. Depth of rear yard: none, except that where the abutting lot at the rear is in an R district there shall be rear yard having a depth not less than fifteen (15) feet; |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C-N:
- Minimum side setback: minimum required in such R district — where the abutting lot at the side is in any R district § 17.36.050
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — side yard on the street side of a corner lot § 17.36.050
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — where the abutting lot at the rear is in an R district § 17.36.050
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot size, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for C-N in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Alameda County Municipal Code.
Other Alameda County zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Alameda County's C-N zone?
35 ft — Alameda County Municipal Code § 17.36.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Alameda County's C-N zone?
20 ft — Alameda County Municipal Code § 17.36.050.
What is the minimum side setback in Alameda County's C-N zone?
None required (abutting an R district side lot: that district minimum side yard; 10 ft on the street side of a corner lot) — Alameda County Municipal Code § 17.36.050.
What is the minimum rear setback in Alameda County's C-N zone?
None required (15 ft where the abutting rear lot is in an R district) — Alameda County Municipal Code § 17.36.050.
General information, not legal advice.
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