Arroyo Grande · Zoning · HMU
Arroyo Grande HMU zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Arroyo Grande's HMU zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft (3 stories) tall, the front setback is 0-15 ft and the minimum lot size is 20,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Arroyo Grande code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft (a maximum of 36 ft is allowed through the CUP process for visitor serving uses)
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories
- Minimum front setback: 0-15 ft (Larger setbacks may be set for outdoor sales areas by discretionary action)
- Minimum side setback: 0 ft (a 20 ft building setback is required for commercial use where the lot abuts a residential use or residential district lot)
- Minimum rear setback: 0-15 ft (a 20 ft building setback is required for commercial use where the lot abuts a residential use or residential district lot)
- Minimum lot size: 20,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 75%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.75
- Maximum density: 20 dwelling units/acre (multi-family housing)
HMU (Highway Mixed Use) is a zoning district in Arroyo Grande. Every value below was read from the Arroyo Grande 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 HMU
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 | 30 ft Applies: a maximum of 36 ft is allowed through the CUP process for visitor serving uses § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “9. Building Size Limits”: Maximum height is 30 feet or three stories, whichever is less; a maximum of 36 feet is allowable through the CUP process for visitor serving uses. Maximum Building Size is 50,000 square feet; a greater size may be allowed through the CUP process. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 3 stories § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “9. Building Size Limits”: Maximum height is 30 feet or three stories, whichever is less; a maximum of 36 feet is allowable through the CUP process for visitor serving uses. Maximum Building Size is 50,000 square feet; a greater size may be allowed through the CUP process. |
| Minimum front setback | 0-15 ft Applies: Larger setbacks may be set for outdoor sales areas by discretionary action § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “5. Front Yard Setback”: 0 - 15 feet. Exceptions may include areas for outdoor sales determined through discretionary action. |
| Minimum side setback | 0 ft Applies: a 20 ft building setback is required for commercial use where the lot abuts a residential use or residential district lot § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “7. Side Yard Setback”: 0 feet. Wherever a lot in any commercial or mixed use district abuts a residential use or a lot in any residential use district, a minimum building setback of twenty (20) feet measured from the property line shall be required for proposed commercial use. |
| Minimum rear setback | 0-15 ft Applies: a 20 ft building setback is required for commercial use where the lot abuts a residential use or residential district lot § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “6. Rear Yard Setback”: 0 - 15 feet. Wherever a lot in any commercial or mixed use district abuts a residential use or a lot in any residential district, a minimum building setback of twenty (20) feet measured from the property line shall be required for proposed commercial use. |
| Minimum lot size | 20,000 sq ft § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “3. Minimum Lot Size”: 20,000 square feet (gross). |
| Maximum lot coverage | 75% § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “10. Site Coverage and Floor Area Ratio”: Maximum coverage of site is 75%. Maximum Floor Area Ratio is .75. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.75 § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “10. Site Coverage and Floor Area Ratio”: Maximum coverage of site is 75%. Maximum Floor Area Ratio is .75. |
| Maximum density | 20 dwelling units/acre Applies: multi-family housing § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “2. Maximum Density Multi-Family Housing*”: 20 dwelling units/acre. |
Uses in HMU
Uses the code's use tables allow in HMU, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Apartment building — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
- Kennel — Needs a conditional use permit
- Emergency shelter — Allowed
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in HMU:
- Maximum building height: 36 ft — allowable through the CUP process for visitor serving uses § 16.36.020
- Minimum side setback: 20 ft — wherever the lot abuts a residential use or a lot in any residential use district, for proposed commercial use § 16.36.020
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — wherever the lot abuts a residential use or a lot in any residential district, for proposed commercial use § 16.36.020
Other Arroyo Grande zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Arroyo Grande's HMU zone?
30 ft (a maximum of 36 ft is allowed through the CUP process for visitor serving uses) — Arroyo Grande Municipal Code § 16.36.020.
What is the maximum number of stories in Arroyo Grande's HMU zone?
3 stories — Arroyo Grande Municipal Code § 16.36.020.
What is the minimum front setback in Arroyo Grande's HMU zone?
0-15 ft (larger setbacks may be set for outdoor sales areas by discretionary action) — Arroyo Grande Municipal Code § 16.36.020.
What is the minimum side setback in Arroyo Grande's HMU zone?
0 ft (a 20 ft building setback is required for commercial use where the lot abuts a residential use or residential district lot) — Arroyo Grande Municipal Code § 16.36.020.
What is the minimum rear setback in Arroyo Grande's HMU zone?
0-15 ft (a 20 ft building setback is required for commercial use where the lot abuts a residential use or residential district lot) — Arroyo Grande Municipal Code § 16.36.020.
General information, not legal advice.
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