Arroyo Grande · Zoning · TMU
Arroyo Grande TMU zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Arroyo Grande's TMU 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 10,000 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
- 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: 10,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 75%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.75
TMU (Traffic Way 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 TMU
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 “8. 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 “8. 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 § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “4. 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 “6. 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 “5. 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 use district, a minimum building setback of twenty (20) feet measured from the property line shall be required for proposed commercial use.). |
| Minimum lot size | 10,000 sq ft § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “2. Minimum Lot Size”: 10,000 square feet (gross). |
| Maximum lot coverage | 75% § 16.36.020 · code textTable row “9. 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 “9. Site Coverage and Floor Area Ratio”: Maximum coverage of site is 75%. Maximum floor area ratio is .75. |
Uses in TMU
Uses the code's use tables allow in TMU, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Apartment building — Needs a minor use permit
- Kennel — Needs a conditional use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in TMU:
- 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 use district, for proposed commercial use § 16.36.020
Not on this page
We did not find a general density limit for TMU in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code.
Other Arroyo Grande zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Arroyo Grande's TMU 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 TMU zone?
3 stories — Arroyo Grande Municipal Code § 16.36.020.
What is the minimum front setback in Arroyo Grande's TMU zone?
0-15 ft — Arroyo Grande Municipal Code § 16.36.020.
What is the minimum side setback in Arroyo Grande's TMU 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 TMU 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.
Ask about an Arroyo Grande property in TMU
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question