Alhambra — Development Standards

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes the Alhambra Zoning Code (Title 23) rules that set the city’s development standards — setbacks, heights, lot coverage, floor area ratio (FAR), and density — and how they vary by zoning district. It synthesizes the development‑standards tables and measuring rules that govern project envelopes and site layout; for raw code text see the cited municipal code sections. For codewide context and permitted uses start with the city’s Alhambra Zoning page.

How this page is organized

• District-by-district subsections below cover the specific zoning districts that the retrieved municipal code shows with explicit numeric standards: Commercial & Mixed-Use districts (CBD, EMC, CMU, AC), Employment districts (PO, I), Public & Semi‑Public districts (PF, OS), and the -PD (Planned Development) overlay.
• There is a separate Residential summary because the retrieved materials show the residential standards live in Table 23.04.030 but the file excerpts did not include clearly labeled column headings for every residential zone; see “Information Gaps.” See the code’s residential development‑standards table at § 23.04.030 for parcel‑level applicability.

Where the page mentions other topics you may need (parking, design review, overlays, ADUs, Title 24) it links to the city menu so you can jump to those operational pages: parking, design review, overlays, ADUs, and the state building code are linked in‑text below.

Key definitions (how Alhambra measures these standards)

• Floor area ratio (FAR) = total gross floor area / site area; the Code defines how to calculate floor area and FAR at § 23.02.030(E)–(F).
• Lot coverage = horizontal ground footprint of principal and accessory buildings divided by lot area; defined at § 23.02.030(G).
• Setbacks (yards) are measured from the property line and must remain open except for allowed encroachments; rules and the table of allowed encroachments are at § 23.02.030(I) and § 23.12.040.

District-by-district breakdown

Commercial & Mixed‑Use districts — CBD, EMC, CMU, AC

Purpose and typical uses

• The Code’s Commercial/Mixed‑Use chapter describes the purpose for each zone: CBD (Central Business Downtown), EMC (East Main Commercial corridor), CMU (Commercial Mixed‑Use), and AC (Auto‑oriented Commercial/Activity Center) and encourages mixed residential/commercial development in appropriate locations. See § 23.05.010 for these zone purposes.

Key dimensional standards (Table 23.05.030)

• Maximum residential density (units/acre): CBD 64 / EMC 30 / CMU 48 / AC — as listed in Table 23.05.030.
• Maximum FAR: CBD 3.0 / EMC 2.0 / CMU 2.0 / AC 2.0 (Table 23.05.030).
• Maximum height: CBD 75 ft / EMC 35 ft / CMU 40 ft (reduced to 40 ft within 50 ft of a residential district, otherwise 75 ft) / AC 40 ft (40 ft within 50 ft of residential, otherwise 75 ft). Maximum stories likewise vary (CBD 5 stories, EMC 3, etc.).
• Setbacks: Front and street side 0 ft in these commercial zones (build‑to requirements apply in some districts); interior side/rear often 0 ft or 10 ft when adjacent to residential. The Code requires build‑to lines and corner build areas in CBD/EMC/CMU/AC (buildings within 10 ft of street lines for a portion of frontage) — see the Additional Regulations under § 23.05.030.

Where it applies

• These rules apply to parcels mapped CBD, EMC, CMU, or AC on the city zoning map; build‑to and frontage rules are emphasized for pedestrian corridors (see § 23.05.030).

Practical guidance

• In the CBD expect aggressive FAR and height allowances but also build‑to and frontage improvements that limit surface parking at the street edge; consult the Code’s build‑to requirements when siting structures.

Employment districts — PO, I

Purpose and typical uses

• The Employment districts regulate office/production and industrial uses. See § 23.06.030 for the table of development standards and chapter text for permitted uses.

Key dimensional standards (Table 23.06.030)

• Maximum residential density: PO — 24 units/acre for lots <10,000 sq ft and 43 for larger lots; I — 43 units/acre.
• Maximum FAR: PO 1.5 / I 2.0.
• Maximum height: PO — 75 ft (but 40 ft within 50 ft of a Residential Zoning District); I — 55 ft (but 40 ft within 50 ft of residential). Max stories also step down adjacent to residential.
• Minimum setbacks (ft): Front 20 (PO) / 10 (I); Street side 10 ft; Side 5 ft (PO) / 0 or 10 adjacent to residential (I); Rear 10 ft / 0 or 10 adjacent to residential.

Where it applies

• Applies to sites zoned PO or I; additional minimum residential density requirements apply on sites identified in the housing element as lower‑income site inventory.

Practical guidance

• Employment zones allow substantial FAR / mixed‑use intensity, but step back or reduce allowable heights within 50 ft of residential zones to limit impacts — confirm adjacency with a zoning map.

Public & Semi‑Public districts — PF, OS

Purpose and typical uses

• PF (Public Facilities) and OS (Open Space) supply land for schools, parks, government buildings, and related uses. See § 23.07.010 for the purposes.

Key dimensional standards (Table 23.07.030)

• Maximum FAR: PF 1.5 / OS 0.2.
• Maximum height: PF 55 ft (40 ft within 50 ft of residential) / OS 30 ft.
• Setbacks: Front 20 ft / Street side 10 ft / Side 5 ft / Rear 10 ft (PF) and 5 ft (OS).

Practical guidance

• Public uses still must meet yard/open‑space and buffering rules; screening and perimeter wall rules apply when these zones abut residential.

Planned Development overlay — -PD

Purpose and typical uses

• A -PD overlay customizes development standards for a site via an approved PD Plan; recorded on the zoning map by adding “-PD” to the base zone. See § 23.11.020–.040.

Key dimensional standards

• Minimum PD area: 1 acre (City Council may approve smaller on finding). Residential unit totals in a PD are governed by the General Plan density unless a density bonus applies; other standards are those prescribed by the PD or the base zone where the PD is silent.

Practical guidance

• Use a PD when a site‑specific package of modifications and design features is needed; remember the PD can supersede base zoning standards only as explicitly documented in the PD plan.

Residential zoning (Table 23.04.030 and measuring rules)

Purpose and typical uses

• The Code groups “Residential Zoning Districts” under Chapter 23.04 and prescribes development standards in Table 23.04.030; this table controls setbacks, lot coverage, height, number of stories, interior setbacks, rear setbacks, and special rules (sloping lot adjustment, through lots). See § 23.04.030.

What the retrieved materials confirm

• The Code includes detailed rules for measuring lot width/depth, floor area, FAR, and lot coverage at § 23.02.030, and sloping‑lot/front‑setback adjustments at the end of § 23.04.030. The code also treats some multifamily developments and SB 35 projects as permitted where they meet state law and local standards in § 23.04.030 and related notes.

What needs parcel‑level checking (see Information Gaps)

• The retrieved excerpts show Table 23.04.030 exists (and that the RH district is eligible for flexible standards under § 23.12.060) but the column headers for every residential district (for example R‑1, R‑2, R‑3) were not fully captured in the available excerpts. Verify the exact district names and the numeric standards in Table 23.04.030 for your parcel.

Quick reference table — selected decision‑relevant standards

(For the full numeric matrix and other residential zone columns consult Table 23.04.030 and the applicable zone section; see § 23.04.030.)

How measurement and encroachments work (practical rules)

• The Code defines how to measure stories, decks, lot width/depth, floor area and FAR at § 23.02.030; use those definitions when calculating compliance.
• Encroachments: specific elements (eaves, canopies, bay windows, ground‑level entries, porches, stairs) are allowed to encroach into required setbacks up to the distances in Table 23.12.040; some encroachments (mechanical equipment) are more restricted. See § 23.12.040.

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (site plan & entitlement stage)

• Confirm base zoning and any overlay (-PD, specific plan) for the parcel; cross‑check with § 23.03 and the zoning map. Verify whether a PD or specific plan controls; PD requirements are at § 23.11.040.
• Confirm the applicable numeric standards (FAR, maximum height, number of stories, density, setbacks, lot coverage) in the table for your district: § 23.05.030, § 23.06.030, § 23.07.030, and § 23.04.030 for residential.
• Apply the measuring rules for FAR, lot coverage, stories and lot dimensions in § 23.02.030 when calculating allowed building envelope.
• Check build‑to/frontage requirements (CBD, EMC, CMU, AC) and allowed encroachments at § 23.05.030 and § 23.12.040.
• Review screening/fencing/same‑property‑line walls and perimeter masonry wall requirements where non‑residential abuts residential (see § 23.17 / screening rules summarized at § 23.12.x in the excerpts).
• Confirm required parking and driveway access standards (see the city’s Alhambra Parking page and Code chapters referenced in the parking rules).
• Confirm design‑review applicability early — design review is required for most new residential projects, multi‑story additions, and many non‑residential projects per § 23.33.020; see Alhambra Design Review.
• If proposing affordable housing/density bonus, follow Chapter 23.14 and state density‑bonus law; consult § 23.14.040.
• For accessory units, confirm the local ADU rules and state ADU constraints (see Alhambra ADUs and state guidance) — local development standards cannot conflict with minimum ADU allowances under state law.

Also consult the California Building Standards Code for building‑code compliance (this page does not replace Title 24 requirements).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Alhambra’s Zoning Code (Title 23) sets the allowed building envelope by district: commercial cores (CBD/CMU/etc.) allow high FAR and height with zero front setbacks and build‑to frontage rules; employment zones allow substantial FAR but step down heights within 50 feet of residential; public/open space have low FAR and larger setbacks; residential rules live in Table 23.04.030 and must be checked for your zoning designation. Always run FAR, story/height, and setback calculations using the measuring rules at § 23.02.030 and check for overlays or PD plans that may change these limits.

Source References

• Alhambra Zoning Code — Title 23 (title identification and purpose): § 23.01.010–.030.
• Residential development standards: § 23.04.030 (Table 23.04.030).
• Commercial and Mixed‑Use development standards: § 23.05.030 (Table 23.05.030).
• Employment development standards: § 23.06.030 (Table 23.06.030).
• Public & Semi‑Public development standards: § 23.07.030 (Table 23.07.030).
• Measuring rules (FAR, lot coverage, stories, lot width/depth): § 23.02.030.
• Encroachments into setbacks: § 23.12.040 (Table 23.12.040).
• Flexible development standards and PD overlay: § 23.12.060; PD overlay rules § 23.11.020–.040.
• Design review applicability: § 23.33.020.
• ADU / state interactive guidance referenced in code excerpts and HCD materials (state requirements summarized in the provided ADU handbook excerpt). Not a substitute for local ADU chapter — see Alhambra ADUs.

Retrieved passages

• Alhambra Zoning Code (Section numbers) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 66314 (§ 66314) High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.11.020) High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.06.030) High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.01.040) High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (Section numbers) High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (Section numbers) High relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.22.250) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 040 (section of) Medium relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.12.040) Medium relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (§ 23.02.030) Medium relevance show source text
• Alhambra Zoning Code (CHAPTER 23.05) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Alhambra Zoning Code — Title 23 (title identification and purpose): **§ 23.01.010–.030**. (Title 23)
• Residential development standards: **§ 23.04.030** (Table 23.04.030). (§ 23.04.030)
• Commercial and Mixed‑Use development standards: **§ 23.05.030** (Table 23.05.030). (§ 23.05.030)
• Employment development standards: **§ 23.06.030** (Table 23.06.030). (§ 23.06.030)
• Public & Semi‑Public development standards: **§ 23.07.030** (Table 23.07.030). (§ 23.07.030)
• Measuring rules (FAR, lot coverage, stories, lot width/depth): **§ 23.02.030**. (§ 23.02.030)
• Encroachments into setbacks: **§ 23.12.040** (Table 23.12.040). (§ 23.12.040)
• Flexible development standards and PD overlay: **§ 23.12.060**; PD overlay rules **§ 23.11.020–.040**. (§ 23.12.060)
• Design review applicability: **§ 23.33.020**. (§ 23.33.020)
• ADU / state interactive guidance referenced in code excerpts and HCD materials (state requirements summarized in the provided ADU handbook excerpt). Not a substitute for local ADU chapter — see Alhambra ADUs.
• Alhambra_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md

• Official Alhambra code library