El Cerrito · Zoning · TOM
El Cerrito TOM zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In El Cerrito's TOM zone, generally buildings can be up to 50 ft tall, the front setback is 0 to 10 ft and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (El Cerrito code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 50 ft (in Del Norte & Plaza areas)
- Minimum front setback: 0 to 10 ft (build-to line: building must stand within this distance for at least 80 percent of street frontage)
- Minimum side setback: None required (unless adjacent to a residential district, where that district's setbacks apply)
- Minimum rear setback: None required (unless adjacent to a residential district, where that district's setbacks apply)
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.0 (for non-residential uses)
- Maximum density: 35 units per acre (base density)
TOM is a zoning district in El Cerrito. Every value below was read from the El Cerrito 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 TOM
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 | 50 ft Applies: in Del Norte & Plaza areas § 19.07.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Building Height (ft.)”, column “TOM”: 50, up to 65 with CUP in Del Norte & Plaza areas 35, up to 45 with CUP in Midtown node |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 0 to 10 ft Applies: build-to line: building must stand within this distance for at least 80 percent of street frontage § 19.07.030 · code textTable row “Building Setback on Street Frontages”, column “TOM”: 0 - 10 feet |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: unless adjacent to a residential district, where that district's setbacks apply § 19.07.030 · code textTable row “Interior Side”, column “TOM”: None unless adjacent to a residential district |
| Minimum rear setback | None required Applies: unless adjacent to a residential district, where that district's setbacks apply § 19.07.030 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “TOM”: None unless adjacent to a residential district |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft § 19.07.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Lot Size (sq. ft.)”, column “TOM”: 5,000 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 2.0 Applies: for non-residential uses § 19.07.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Floor Area Ratio for non-residential uses”, column “TOM”: 2.0 3.0 with incentives |
| Maximum density | 35 units per acre Applies: base density § 19.07.030 · code textTable row “Base Density”, column “TOM”: 35 units per acre |
Uses in TOM
Uses the code's use tables allow in TOM, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Apartment building — Allowed — see note
- Live-work unit — Allowed
- Residential care home (7 or more) — Needs a conditional use permit
- Child care center — Needs an administrative use permit
- Church or place of worship — Needs an administrative use permit if under 3,000 sq. ft.; conditional use permit if larger — see note
- Private school — Needs a conditional use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in TOM:
- Maximum building height: 65 ft — with CUP in Del Norte & Plaza areas § 19.07.030
- Maximum building height: 35 ft — in Midtown node § 19.07.030
- Maximum building height: 45 ft — with CUP in Midtown node § 19.07.030
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 3.0 — with incentives § 19.07.030
- Maximum density: 45 units per acre — with incentives § 19.07.030
- Maximum density: 70 units per acre — for housing for elderly and disabled persons if services are provided; with incentives § 19.07.030
- Maximum density: 48 units per acre — with State Affordable Housing Bonuses § 19.07.030
- Maximum density: 70 units per acre — for housing for elderly and disabled persons if services are provided; with State Affordable Housing Bonuses § 19.07.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot coverage limit for TOM in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the El Cerrito Municipal Code.
Other El Cerrito zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in El Cerrito's TOM zone?
50 ft (in Del Norte & Plaza areas) — El Cerrito Municipal Code § 19.07.030.
What is the minimum front setback in El Cerrito's TOM zone?
0 to 10 ft (build-to line: building must stand within this distance for at least 80 percent of street frontage) — El Cerrito Municipal Code § 19.07.030.
What is the minimum side setback in El Cerrito's TOM zone?
None required (unless adjacent to a residential district, where that district's setbacks apply) — El Cerrito Municipal Code § 19.07.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in El Cerrito's TOM zone?
None required (unless adjacent to a residential district, where that district's setbacks apply) — El Cerrito Municipal Code § 19.07.030.
What is the minimum lot size in El Cerrito's TOM zone?
5,000 sq ft — El Cerrito Municipal Code § 19.07.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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