Corte Madera — Development Standards

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes the Corte Madera municipal zoning rules that control setbacks, height, lot coverage, density, and FAR—the standards a project must meet before the Town applies design review or other discretionary review. For a quick jurisdictional starting point, see the town's Corte Madera Zoning overview. All standards below are grounded in the Corte Madera Municipal Code; citations show the controlling code § and the file preview used for this summary.

Note on links used in this page: references to parking, design review, overlays, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code are linked to their GoCodebook pages when first mentioned to help you navigate related local topics: Corte Madera Parking, Corte Madera Design Review, Corte Madera Overlay Districts, Corte Madera ADUs, and California Building Standards Code.

District-by-district breakdown

The municipal code expresses development standards both in text (standalone §s) and in a consolidated Table 1. Below are the districts that contain the most frequently used development standards for residential and mixed-use work in Corte Madera. Each subsection states purpose (where the code provides it or from context), typical permitted uses (high-level), the key dimensional rules you must check first, and where the district typically applies. All stated figures are exact code limits; read the cited § before preparing plans.

Note: Where a single rule is stated in a district chapter the controlling § is shown; where Table 1 consolidates numeric standards the table citation is used.

Residential — R-1 (Medium-Density Residential)

• Purpose / common uses: Single-family homes and accessory uses typical to medium-density neighborhoods. See the R-1 development standards in Table 1.
• Key dimensional standards (check first):
  • Front yard: 20 ft for lots ≥ 7,500 s.f.; 15 ft for lots < 7,500 s.f. (§ 18.08.220(a))
  • Side yards: 6 ft (permitted uses) on larger lots; 5 ft on smaller lots; street-side corner yard 15 ft (permitted) (§ 18.08.220(b))
  • Rear yard: 25 ft (permitted) or 35 ft for conditional uses (§ 18.08.220(e))
  • Lot coverage: typically 35% maximum (measured per § 18.24.080). (§ 18.08.220(f))
  • Maximum height: 30 ft. (§ 18.08.220(g))
  • FAR: applied to some R-1 applications depending on project timing; see § 18.08.220 and the R-1 FAR rules (§ 18.08.320(g) and cross-references). Not all R-1 subtypes list an explicit numeric FAR in Table 1; see notes.
• Where it applies: Most single-family neighborhoods; see official zoning map and Chapter 18.08. (§ 18.08.200).

Residential — R-1‑A (Low-Density Residential)

• Purpose / common uses: Larger-lot, lower-density single-family lots. See § 18.08.320.
• Key dimensional standards:
  • Front yard: 25 ft. (§ 18.08.320(a))
  • Side yards: 10 ft (permitted), street-side corner 20 ft (permitted). (§ 18.08.320(b)(1))
  • Rear yard: 30 ft (permitted) or 45 ft (conditional). (§ 18.08.320(d))
  • Lot coverage and Maximum height: 35% coverage; 30 ft height. (§s 18.08.320(f)-(g))
• Where it applies: Larger residential parcels; see zoning map and Chapter 18.08.

Residential — R-2 (Low-Density Multiple-Dwelling)

• Purpose / common uses: Small multi-family (duplexes, small apartment) development consistent with local lot-size and frontage standards. See § 18.08.100—18.08.110.
• Key dimensional standards:
  • Minimum site area: 8,000 s.f. (§ 18.08.110(a))
  • Frontage / width: 30 ft frontage and 70 ft width at front setback (§ 18.08.110(b))
  • Setbacks & coverage: Check Table 1 for front, side, rear setbacks, 35% coverage and 30 ft height limits. (§ Table 1 / 18.08.220).
• Other requirements: Design review applies to applicable residential projects (§ 18.08.050).

Residential — R-3 (Multiple Dwelling / Higher Density)

• Purpose / typical uses: Larger multi-family sites and denser development; Table 1 lists different units/acre and minimum lot areas.
• Key dimensional standards:
  • Front setback: 20 ft typical (§ Table 1 / 18.08).
  • Side / rear setbacks: 6 ft side (10 ft for CUP) and 25 ft rear (35 ft for CUP). (§ Table 1 / 18.08).
  • Building lot coverage: 35% (Table 1).
  • Maximum height: 35 ft for R-3 (Table 1).

Mixed Use — MX‑1 (Tamal Vista / Mixed-Use Corridor)

• Purpose / typical uses: Mixed residential and neighborhood-serving commercial along Tamal Vista Boulevard; special design and streetscape rules apply. See Chapter 18.13.
• Key dimensional standards and special rules:
  • FAR (non-residential): 0.34 FAR maximum for non-residential uses, except as allowed elsewhere. (§ 18.13.145(a))
  • FAR (mixed residential/nonresidential): 0.40 FAR maximum overall when residential uses included, with minimum 0.04 FAR of nonresidential in the Neighborhood Zone (and other rules). Maximum residential density 15.1 units/acre. (§ 18.13.145(b))
  • Height: Neighborhood Zone 25 ft / 2 stories; Highway Zone 35 ft / 3 stories. (§ 18.13.165(a)-(b))
  • Upper story setbacks: Upper stories must be stepped back (e.g., 10 ft in Neighborhood Zone beyond first-story yard). (§ 18.13.170).
  • Streetscape Improvement Area: For projects expanding floor area >25% a Streetscape Improvement Area up to 20 ft along Tamal Vista is required; that area is included in lot-area calculations for FAR, density, coverage. (§ 18.13.115(c))
  • Parking / landscaping / frontage: Additional rules on parking, landscaping, and frontage exist; see § 18.13.160—18.13.185 for frontage and parking schedules. (§ 18.13.155—18.13.185)

Commercial — C-3/C-4 (Higher-intensity commercial / hotel bonus areas)

• Purpose / typical uses: Higher-intensity commercial and some hotel uses; the code includes special FAR/height incentives for hotels. (§ 18.12.050).
• Key points:
  • Hotel FAR bonus: Hotels on lots >1 acre may receive FAR increases up to 0.70 FAR subject to planning commission findings and conditions. (§ 18.12.050(a))
  • Hotel height bonus: Hotel height may be increased (up to 47 ft) under the same program with additional findings. (§ 18.12.050(b))
• Base commercial district numeric standards (full table of C-1/C-2/C-3/C-4 setbacks, coverage, etc.) were not fully present in the retrieved excerpts. Not found in retrieved materials — verify with the Town's code or planning staff. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Public Facilities / Flood Control — PF / FC

• Public facility districts use the most stringent adjoining yard requirements and a 30‑ft height cap for public facilities (§ 18.16.035—18.16.040). Landscaping and parking requirements must be at least equivalent to adjoining districts. (§ 18.16.045—18.16.050)

Consolidated decision‑relevant quick table

How standards are measured and applied (practical notes)

• Height: Measured from finished grade to the highest point of the structure (local definition). Allowable exceptions exist for mechanical appurtenances and towers up to an additional 10 ft under § 18.24.070. (§ 18.04 & 18.24.070)
• Coverage: Lot coverage counts enclosed structures >3 ft tall and applies net land area definition; eaves <3 ft and certain deck areas are partially or fully excluded per § 18.24.080. (§ 18.24.080)
• FAR: Parking area devoted to required parking is excluded from gross floor area for FAR calculations in MX districts and other applicable bonus sections. (§ 18.13.145(c))
• Sloped lots: On side yards where grade ≥ 10%, add 1 ft to the required side yard for every 2 ft of height above the lowest 12 ft of the structure (§ 18.08.220 note). Verify through parcel topography. (§ Table 1 notes / § 18.08.220)

Checklist (what an applicant must verify before filing)

• Confirm zoning district for the parcel and applicable overlay(s) on the official map (Chapter 18.02).
• Confirm required front / side / rear setbacks, height, and lot coverage in the applicable district (see Table 1 and district §§ 18.08.x or 18.13.x).
• Calculate FAR correctly and exclude required parking area where allowed (§ 18.13.145(c)).
• Determine whether the project triggers the Streetscape Improvement Area or MX‑1 frontage rules (Tamal Vista projects). (§ 18.13.115—18.13.160)
• For ADUs, confirm 4 ft side/rear minimums and the local ADU size/height rules plus state ADU law interplay. See ADU chapter. (§ 18.31.080—18.31.090)
• Review design review applicability and objective standards (Chapter 18.30), prepare landscape plan where required.
• Check parking requirements in Chapter 18.20 and whether special parking exemptions apply (ADUs, density bonus, etc.).
• If in a floodplain or special overlay, verify Title 16 flood requirements and any increased setbacks/elevation rules. (§ 16.x referenced in ADU and MX provisions)
• Confirm whether any hotel or large commercial FAR/height bonus programs apply (C-3/C-4 § 18.12.050).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Corte Madera's zoning code sets clear numeric rules for setbacks, heights, lot coverage, and FAR that differ by district: typical single-family R-1 homes use 15–25 ft front yards, 5–6 ft side yards, ~35% coverage and 30 ft height; mixed-use along Tamal Vista (MX‑1) uses FAR limits (commonly 0.34–0.40) and extra streetscape and upper-story setback rules; ADUs have their own local limits but must also comply with state ADU law. Always check the exact § for your parcel because slope, floodplain, and special bonuses can change what fits on a lot (§ 18.08.220, § 18.13.145, § 18.31.080).

Source References

• Corte Madera Municipal Code, Chapter 18 (Zoning) — Table 1 Residential Zoning District Development Standards (see Table 1) § 18.08 (multiple subsections).
• § 18.08.220 — R-1 development standards: front/side/rear yards, coverage, height.
• § 18.08.320 — R-1‑A development standards (front/side/rear yards, coverage/height).
• § 18.13.115—18.13.170 — MX‑1 Mixed-Use standards: Streetscape Improvement Area, upper story setbacks, height, FAR and density.
• § 18.13.145—18.13.155 — MX‑1 FAR, density, floor area distribution and inclusion/exclusion of parking from FAR.
• § 18.12.050 — Special FAR/height provisions for hotels in C‑3/C‑4 districts.
• § 18.24.070 and § 18.24.080 — Height exceptions and measurement of lot coverage.
• Chapter 18.31 — Accessory Dwelling Unit development standards and exceptions (ADU height, setbacks, size limits).

If you want the exact ordinance text and figures pulled for a single parcel, I can extract the full controlling subsections and point to the precise map location — or you can verify directly with Town planning (Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑specific exceptions).

Retrieved passages

• Corte Madera Zoning Code (§ 6) High relevance show source text
• Corte Madera Zoning Code (Section 18.32.110.) High relevance show source text
• Corte Madera Zoning Code (Section 18.30.070.) High relevance show source text
• Corte Madera Zoning Code (§ 6) High relevance show source text
• Corte Madera Zoning Code (Section 18.24.080) High relevance show source text
• Corte Madera Zoning Code (Chapter 18.04) High relevance show source text
• Corte Madera Zoning Code (Section 18.32.110.) High relevance show source text
• Corte Madera Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Corte Madera Municipal Code, Chapter 18 (Zoning) — Table 1 Residential Zoning District Development Standards (see Table 1) § **18.08** (multiple subsections). (Chapter 18)
• § **18.08.220** — R-1 development standards: front/side/rear yards, coverage, height.
• § **18.08.320** — R-1‑A development standards (front/side/rear yards, coverage/height).
• § **18.13.115—18.13.170** — MX‑1 Mixed-Use standards: Streetscape Improvement Area, upper story setbacks, height, FAR and density.
• § **18.13.145—18.13.155** — MX‑1 FAR, density, floor area distribution and inclusion/exclusion of parking from FAR.
• § **18.12.050** — Special FAR/height provisions for hotels in C‑3/C‑4 districts.
• § **18.24.070** and § **18.24.080** — Height exceptions and measurement of lot coverage.
• Chapter **18.31** — Accessory Dwelling Unit development standards and exceptions (ADU height, setbacks, size limits).
• CorteMadera_ZoningCode.md

• Official Corte Madera code library