Local zoning · Los Altos

Los Altos — Land Use

Q: What can I build on an R1‑10 lot in Los Altos?

You can build a single‑family residence , accessory structures, and ADUs following Chapter 14.14 ; limited home occupations, small family day care, certain agricultural uses and animals (subject to code) are also permitted. For the full permitted list see § 14.06.020 .

Q: What are Los Altos setback requirements for single‑family homes?

Setbacks and objective single‑family standards are found in Chapter 14.64 (e.g., front, side, rear minimums and landscaping requirements); many specifics (front: 25 ft for the first story in some objective standards, side/rear: 4 ft) appear at § 14.64.090 . Verify which objective standard map or table applies to your lot.

Q: Do I need a use permit (conditional use) to operate a medical clinic in town?

In several commercial and downtown districts (for example CT and CD/R3 ) medical and dental clinics are listed as conditional uses requiring a use permit; check § 14.50.040 (CT) and § 14.52.040 (CD/R3). The use‑permit procedures are in Chapter 14.80 .

Q: Where are the downtown mixed‑use rules (CD/R3) and what do they allow?

Downtown mixed‑use rules are in Chapter 14.52 . The CD/R3 district permits retail, restaurants (no drive‑through), office and residential/mixed‑use, while certain uses (animal clinics, day care, large medical offices) are conditional. See § 14.52.030–040 .

Q: Can I add an ADU in Los Altos and what limits apply?

Yes — ADUs are allowed subject to Chapter 14.14 : size caps for attached/detached ADUs and JADUs, ministerial review rules, prohibition on short‑term rentals (<30 days), and other provisions (utilities, fees). See § 14.14.080–100 .

Q: Are there parking exceptions if my property is near transit?

The ordinance contains parking provisions and a transit‑proximity exemption in the single‑family objective standards (no parking required if within 1/2 mile of high‑quality transit or a car‑share within one block), referenced in § 14.64.090(4) ; district chapters point to Chapter 14.74 for full parking rules. Confirm how distance is measured with staff.

Q: If my use isn't listed, can the city still allow it?

Possibly — many districts allow the zoning administrator or planning commission to permit uses “of the same general character” as listed uses (discretionary). Otherwise the Code is permissive: if a use is not listed as permitted or conditional, it is not allowed. See § 14.50.030 and § 14.01.170 .

Q: How are PUDs different from standard districts?

PUDs are site‑specific planned unit developments approved via a use permit; they set customized standards (setbacks, density, open space) for the particular site and can permit a mix of uses that would otherwise not be allowed. See § 14.62.010–060 .

Q: What happens if I rebuild more than half the floor area of a nonconforming structure?

Some district rules require that when a structure with a nonconforming setback has ≥50% of its floor area voluntarily rebuilt, the entire unit be brought into conformance with current setback requirements — see the rule in the R3‑4.5 chapter as an example ( § 14.16.080(C) ). This is applied parcel‑by‑parcel — verify with staff.

Q: Are downtown historic properties subject to extra review for ADUs?

Yes. ADUs on historic properties must comply with design review criteria consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards; ministerial review is still used but additional standards apply. See § 14.14.090(J) and the Historic Preservation chapter. ---

Land Use under the Los Altos local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Los Altos zoning ordinance (Title 14 of the Los Altos Municipal Code) says about permitted uses, conditional (use-permit) uses, and the district-specific development rules that control what can be built where. It focuses on land‑use permission (what uses are allowed) and the key dimensional and program limits that matter at application time — not building-code details. For site design, expect to reconcile district rules with the city's objective development standards and requirements for parking, design review, overlays, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as referenced below. See the city's rules on parking for stall counts and dimensions, and the city’s development standards for setbacks and lot standards. § citations below point to the controlling ordinance text.

Note: This page links to the Los Altos topic pages on parking, development standards, design review, overlay districts, and ADUs for convenience: the first mention of each topic is linked inline.

How to read this page

Bold district names (e.g., R1-10) and bolded numbers are used for quick scanning.
Each district subsection gives: the district purpose, typical permitted uses, common conditional uses, key dimensional standards (setbacks, height, coverage/FAR) and where the district typically applies.
All requirements are grounded to the Los Altos ordinance by § citation and the file preview citation from the materials you uploaded.

Quick internal links used in this page

The city's pages used below are linked where the topic is first mentioned: Los Altos Development Standards, Los Altos Parking, Los Altos Design Review, Los Altos Overlay Districts, Los Altos ADUs, California Building Standards Code.

District-by-district breakdown

Note: "Permitted" = allowed by-right (may still need ministerial permits); "Conditional" = allowed only if a use permit is granted per the use-permit procedures in Chapter 14.80 (see district-specific citations). Always verify with the zoning map and the Planning Department for parcel-specific district boundaries.

R1-10 — Single‑Family District

Purpose: Implements the General Plan's Residential‑2 Single‑Family and smaller‑lot Residential‑3 designations; preserves single‑family character. § 14.06.010
Typical Permitted Uses: Single‑family residences, accessory structures, ADUs allowed per Chapter 14.14, home occupations, agriculture/horticulture, animals per city code, and small family day care. § 14.06.020
Conditional Uses: Listed in § 14.06.030 (uses needing a use permit; see Chapter 14.80 for process). § 14.06.030
Key standards: See the city's objective residential standards (lot coverage, setbacks, height) in Chapter 14.64; many single‑family objective standards (setbacks, lot coverage, height, etc.) are collected at § 14.64.090–100. § 14.64.090
Where it applies: Most properties shown in the General Plan as single‑family; the ordinance identifies small‑lot pockets and special rules (flag lots, lot combinations). § 14.06.010

R3‑4.5 — Two‑family / Small Multi‑family District

Purpose: To retain/ enhance specific small multi‑family areas (e.g., Stevens Place / Marshall Court). § 14.16.020
Typical Permitted Uses: Two‑family dwelling units and animals per Chapter 5.10. § 14.16.030
Key dimensional standards (examples from the ordinance): minimum site area 7,000 sq ft, maximum coverage 60%, maximum FAR 55%, height limit 3 stories / 36 ft, story-specific setbacks (first floor 5 ft, second 10 ft in many interior cases) — see § 14.16.040–090. § 14.16.040–090
Where it applies: Small‑scale multi‑family pockets; the chapter explicitly applies the general provisions of Chapter 14.66. § 14.16.010

R3‑1 (another multi‑family category referenced)

Permitted & Conditional uses: R3‑1 lists permitted uses and allows hotels only as a conditional use upon grant of a use permit per Chapter 14.80. § 14.24.150
Other standards: See Chapter 14.24 for R3‑1 dimensional and accessory rules. § 14.24.140–160

CD — Commercial Downtown District

Purpose: Preserve downtown village character; allow retail/office/service uses compatible with a pedestrian downtown. § 14.44.020
Typical Permitted Uses: A full range of retail, office, restaurants (excluding drive‑throughs where specified), mixed‑use and residential-only development, and uses the zoning administrator finds similar in character. § 14.44.030
Conditional Uses: Specific commercial and institutional uses may require use permits; see Chapter 14.44 for details and Chapter 14.80 for process. § 14.44.040 (and related subsections)
Design & review: Downtown projects are subject to objective design standards and historic preservation rules where applicable; the CD district explicitly encourages historic resource preservation. § 14.44.020(G)

CD/R3 — Downtown / Mixed Residential Overlay

Purpose: A hybrid district to implement downtown urban design, retain village atmosphere and allow mixed uses and pedestrian amenities. § 14.52.020
Permitted Uses: Business/professional schools, residential-only, mixed-use, restaurants (no drive‑through), retail/personal services, parking and loading areas — see § 14.52.030. § 14.52.030
Conditional Uses: Animal clinics, cocktail lounges, commercial recreation, day care, medical/dental clinics, other large medical offices (>=5,000 sq ft) require a use permit. § 14.52.040
Where it applies: Downtown core and specific blocks where CD and R3 designations overlap; intended to guide downtown mixed‑use character. § 14.52.020

CT — Commercial Thoroughfare District

Purpose: Support a range of commercial development along major thoroughfares while buffering impacts on adjacent neighborhoods and encouraging mixed uses and housing. § 14.50.020
Permitted Uses: Professional and office services, restaurants (no drive‑through), retail/personal services, residential and mixed‑use developments, emergency shelters, SRO housing. § 14.50.030
Conditional Uses: Animal clinics, schools, commercial recreation, day care, hotels, medical clinics, mortuaries, pet shops, printing, upholstery, etc., are allowed only with a use permit. § 14.50.040
Limits & conditions: The CT district carries conditions such as businesses being conducted within enclosed structures (with specific exceptions) and limited conditional uses near residential districts (e.g., additional restrictions within 50 ft of R districts for certain uses). See § 14.50.050–060. § 14.50.050–060

CN — Neighborhood Commercial District

Purpose and standards: CN is tailored to neighborhood‑serving retail/office with design and buffering expectations, and includes landscaping, parking, and non‑residential design standards; specific permitted uses and design rules are in Chapter 14.40. § 14.40.*

PUD — Planned Unit Development

Purpose: Allows mixed housing types and complementary uses with site‐specific standards set through the PUD process; PUDs are approved by use permit and custom standards are set at time of project approval. § 14.62.010–060
Permitted Uses: Depend on the PUD subtype (PUD/RI Cluster, PUD/R, PUD/OA, PUD/C, PUD/SC); PUD/C, for example, may include the CN, CD, CRS, CT, OA‑1, R1‑10 and R3‑5 permitted uses. § 14.62.030–040
Key point: Dimensional standards, setbacks, coverage and open‑space requirements are established at PUD approval; perimeter setbacks generally must respect adjacent residential district minima. § 14.62.060–070

Key tables — decision‑relevant summaries

Permitted uses and common standards (selected, not exhaustive)

Topic / District	Decision‑relevant rule (short)	Code Reference
R1‑10 permitted uses	Single‑family, accessory structures, ADUs, home occupations, small family day care	§ 14.06.020
R1‑10 conditional uses	Certain institutional/residential conversions — requires use permit per Chapter 14.80	§ 14.06.030
R3‑4.5 permitted uses	Two‑family dwellings; animals per city code	§ 14.16.030
R3‑4.5 dimensional limits	Min site 7,000 sq ft; coverage 60%; FAR 55%; height 3 stories / 36 ft; setbacks per §	§ 14.16.040–090
CT permitted uses	Retail, restaurants (no drive‑through), office, mixed‑use, residential	§ 14.50.030
CT conditional uses	Animal clinics, hotels, medical clinics, day care, mortuaries, etc. (use permit required)	§ 14.50.040
CD/R3 permitted & conditional uses	Downtown retail, restaurants, mixed‑use permitted; clinics and larger medical offices conditional	§ 14.52.030–040
ADUs limits	Size caps (attached/detached), JADU rules, ministerial review; short‑term rentals prohibited (<30 days). Design/historic review rules apply for historic properties.	§ 14.14.080–100
Parking (reference)	Off‑street parking requirements are addressed in Chapter 14.74; some residential projects may be exempt within transit proximity.	§ 14.50.120 and § 14.64.090(4)

Practical guidance / synthesis (plain‑English)

If your lot is zoned R1‑10, you can build or modify a single‑family home and normally add an ADU following Chapter 14.14 rules; other uses like home occupations are allowed but heavy commercial uses are not without a use permit. See § 14.06.020 and § 14.14.090.
If your proposal is not listed explicitly as permitted, expect the city to treat it as prohibited unless approved as a conditional use (use permit). The Code is permissive in that way: any use not specifically allowed is not permitted. § 14.01.170.
Many commercial districts (CT, CD, CD/R3, CN) include a clause that allows the zoning administrator or planning commission to find that a proposed use is “of the same general character” as listed uses; that grants discretionary flexibility but also introduces administrative judgment. See § 14.50.030 and § 14.52.030.
Design review and objective standards frequently apply, especially for downtown and multi‑family projects — consult the city's design review rules and the objective standards chapters (for single family § 14.64 and for multi‑family § 14.66.280). § 14.64.100, § 14.66.280.
For parking counts and design (including transit‑proximity exemptions), consult the city's parking chapter. Some projects near high‑quality transit can qualify for reduced parking requirements per the objective standards. § 14.74 referenced in district chapters and § 14.64.090(4).

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy

Confirm zoning district on the official zoning map and the district text (e.g., R1‑10, R3‑4.5, CT, CD/R3). § 14.06.010; § 14.16.010; § 14.50.010; § 14.52.010
Determine whether the proposed use is permitted or conditional in that district; if conditional, prepare a use‑permit application under Chapter 14.80. (See district conditional‑use lists, e.g., § 14.06.030, § 14.50.040.)
Check dimensional standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage, FAR) applicable to your district and any variations set by PUD or overlay. See development standards and Chapters 14.16, 14.64, 14.62, etc. § 14.16.050–090; § 14.64.090
Confirm parking requirements and any exemptions (see Chapter 14.74 and § 14.64.090(4) for transit proximity rules). § 14.50.120; § 14.64.090(4)
If proposing an ADU, ensure compliance with Chapter 14.14 (size limits, ministerial review rules, rental restrictions). § 14.14.080–100
Identify whether design review or historic‑resource review applies (see Chapter 14.78, Chapter 12.44 where historic properties are involved). § 14.62.E; § 14.14.090(J)
For nonconforming structures/uses, review Chapter 14.66 for when rebuilding or modification will require bringing elements into conformance. § 14.66

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
“Same general character” clause	Allows administrative discretion to approve uses not explicitly listed — can be subjective and slow.	Ask the planning staff whether your use has been treated as “same general character” historically; request comparables. See § 14.50.030 and § 14.52.030.
Zoning map boundary ambiguity	Parcel lines vs. map lines can be unclear; mis‑reading boundaries can send you down the wrong application track.	Confirm boundary interpretation with the Planning Department per § 14.04.020. Verify against the official zoning map. § 14.04.020
Nonconforming setback when renovating	If you replace ≥50% of floor area on a structure with a nonconforming setback, the ordinance may require full compliance with current setbacks.	Confirm thresholds and how they apply to your renovation under the specific district (example: § 14.16.080(C)). Verify with staff. § 14.16.080(C)
Parking exemptions & transit proximity	There is an exemption for parking in certain cases (within 1/2 mile of high‑quality transit) but the local interpretation and measurement method can vary.	Verify whether your parcel qualifies and whether the exemption applies to your use. See § 14.64.090(4) for the exemption language.
ADU historic‑property review	ADUs on historic properties have special review rules (ministerial but must follow Secretary of the Interior standards).	If your property is on the historic inventory, confirm required design criteria and review route under § 14.14.090(J).
Parcel‑specific PUD or overlay rules	PUD approvals establish site‑specific standards that can override district defaults.	Check whether a PUD, OA, or other overlay applies to your parcel; read the PUD ordinance § 14.62 and any recorded PUD conditions. § 14.62.030–060

Plain‑English Summary

Los Altos’ zoning (Title 14) lists what uses are allowed in each zone; if your desired use isn’t listed it’s typically not allowed unless you obtain a use permit. Single‑family lots (R1‑10) allow homes and ADUs under Chapter 14.14; multi‑family and commercial districts have explicit permitted and conditional lists (see the district sections above). Confirm parking, setbacks, and design review requirements early — they materially affect feasibility. Verify details with the Planning Department for your parcel.

Source References

Los Altos Municipal Code, Title 14 (Zoning) — general permissive code statement § 14.01.170.
R1‑10 district: § 14.06.010–030 (purpose, permitted and conditional uses).
R3‑4.5 district: § 14.16.010–090 (purpose, permitted uses, setbacks, coverage, FAR, height).
R3‑1 conditional‑use example: § 14.24.150 (hotels permitted with use permit).
CD / Downtown district: § 14.44.020–030 (purpose, permitted uses).
CD/R3 downtown overlay: § 14.52.020–040 (purpose, permitted and conditional uses).
CT Commercial Thoroughfare district: § 14.50.020–060 (purposes, permitted & conditional uses, limitations).
PUD Planned Unit Development: § 14.62.010–070 (purpose, district types, PUD standards).
Objective residential standards (single‑family objective standards, coverage, setbacks): § 14.64.090–100.
ADUs: Chapter 14.14 — projections, size limits, general provisions, ministerial review and rental restriction. § 14.14.080–100.
Nonconforming uses and general controls: Chapter 14.66 (various maintenance, landscaping, nonconforming rules). § 14.66.
Parking references: district references to Chapter 14.74 and objective standard exemption § 14.64.090(4).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 10-2.701) High relevance
Los Altos Zoning Code (Chapter 14.14.) High relevance
Los Altos Zoning Code (chapter may) High relevance
Los Altos Zoning Code (Chapter 14.72) High relevance
Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 8) High relevance
Los Altos Zoning Code (Chapter 14.66) High relevance
Los Altos Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Los Altos code library

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R1‑10 lot in Los Altos?

You can build a single‑family residence, accessory structures, and ADUs following Chapter 14.14; limited home occupations, small family day care, certain agricultural uses and animals (subject to code) are also permitted. For the full permitted list see § 14.06.020.

What are Los Altos setback requirements for single‑family homes?

Setbacks and objective single‑family standards are found in Chapter 14.64 (e.g., front, side, rear minimums and landscaping requirements); many specifics (front: 25 ft for the first story in some objective standards, side/rear: 4 ft) appear at § 14.64.090. Verify which objective standard map or table applies to your lot.

Do I need a use permit (conditional use) to operate a medical clinic in town?

In several commercial and downtown districts (for example CT and CD/R3) medical and dental clinics are listed as conditional uses requiring a use permit; check § 14.50.040 (CT) and § 14.52.040 (CD/R3). The use‑permit procedures are in Chapter 14.80.

Where are the downtown mixed‑use rules (CD/R3) and what do they allow?

Downtown mixed‑use rules are in Chapter 14.52. The CD/R3 district permits retail, restaurants (no drive‑through), office and residential/mixed‑use, while certain uses (animal clinics, day care, large medical offices) are conditional. See § 14.52.030–040.

Can I add an ADU in Los Altos and what limits apply?

Yes — ADUs are allowed subject to Chapter 14.14: size caps for attached/detached ADUs and JADUs, ministerial review rules, prohibition on short‑term rentals (<30 days), and other provisions (utilities, fees). See § 14.14.080–100.

Are there parking exceptions if my property is near transit?

The ordinance contains parking provisions and a transit‑proximity exemption in the single‑family objective standards (no parking required if within 1/2 mile of high‑quality transit or a car‑share within one block), referenced in § 14.64.090(4); district chapters point to Chapter 14.74 for full parking rules. Confirm how distance is measured with staff.

If my use isn't listed, can the city still allow it?

Possibly — many districts allow the zoning administrator or planning commission to permit uses “of the same general character” as listed uses (discretionary). Otherwise the Code is permissive: if a use is not listed as permitted or conditional, it is not allowed. See § 14.50.030 and § 14.01.170.

How are PUDs different from standard districts?

PUDs are site‑specific planned unit developments approved via a use permit; they set customized standards (setbacks, density, open space) for the particular site and can permit a mix of uses that would otherwise not be allowed. See § 14.62.010–060.

What happens if I rebuild more than half the floor area of a nonconforming structure?

Some district rules require that when a structure with a nonconforming setback has ≥50% of its floor area voluntarily rebuilt, the entire unit be brought into conformance with current setback requirements — see the rule in the R3‑4.5 chapter as an example (§ 14.16.080(C)). This is applied parcel‑by‑parcel — verify with staff.

Are downtown historic properties subject to extra review for ADUs?

Yes. ADUs on historic properties must comply with design review criteria consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards; ministerial review is still used but additional standards apply. See § 14.14.090(J) and the Historic Preservation chapter. ---

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