Los Altos · Zoning · CRS
Los Altos CRS zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Los Altos's CRS zone, generally buildings can be up to 40 ft (4 stories) tall, the side setback limit is None required and the rear setback limit is None required, with the conditions listed below (Los Altos code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 40 ft (Residential only development(s))
- Maximum number of stories: 4 stories (Residential only development(s))
- Minimum side setback: None required (the code bars side yards unless the side line abuts a public parking plaza)
- Minimum rear setback: None required
CRS (Commercial Retail Sales District) is a zoning district in Los Altos. Every value below was read from the Los Altos 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 CRS
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 | 40 ft Applies: Residential only development(s) § 14.48.120 · code textResidential only development(s) building height shall be a maximum of forty (40) feet and four stories. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 4 stories Applies: Residential only development(s) § 14.48.120 · code textResidential only development(s) building height shall be a maximum of forty (40) feet and four stories. |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: the code bars side yards unless the side line abuts a public parking plaza § 14.48.070 · code textNo side yards shall be required, and none shall be allowed, except where the side property line of a site abuts a public parking plaza, the minimum width of the side yard shall be two feet which shall be landscaped. |
| Minimum rear setback | None required § 14.48.080 · code textNo rear yard shall be required except as follows: |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CRS:
- Maximum building height: 45 ft — Mixed use development(s) § 14.48.120
- Maximum building height: 30 ft — Non-Residential use only development(s) § 14.48.120
- Maximum number of stories: 3 stories — Non-Residential use only development(s) § 14.48.120
- Minimum side setback: 2 ft — Where the side property line of a site abuts a public parking plaza § 14.48.070
- Minimum rear setback: 2 ft — Where the rear property line of a site abuts a public parking plaza § 14.48.080
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft — Where the rear property line of a site abuts an existing alley § 14.48.080
Not on this page
We did not find a general front setback, lot size, lot coverage, FAR, density limit for CRS in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Los Altos Municipal Code.
Other Los Altos zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Los Altos's CRS zone?
40 ft (residential only development(s)) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.48.120.
What is the maximum number of stories in Los Altos's CRS zone?
4 stories (residential only development(s)) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.48.120.
What is the minimum side setback in Los Altos's CRS zone?
None required (the code bars side yards unless the side line abuts a public parking plaza) — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.48.070.
What is the minimum rear setback in Los Altos's CRS zone?
None required — Los Altos Municipal Code § 14.48.080.
General information, not legal advice.
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