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Lot splits under SB 9 in Los Gatos

Los Gatos's own rules on lot splits under sb 9, with the code text for every value, and the state law underneath.

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Each rule below links to the section of the Los Gatos Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Los Gatos's code says

Los Gatos code What Los Gatos's code adds
How the lot may be divided	New lots must be about equal in area; neither can be smaller than 40% of the original lot. Applies: Urban lot splits (SB 9). § 29.10.650 · code text one (1) parcel shall not be smaller than forty (40) percent of the lot area of the original parcel proposed for subdivision.
Unit size	At most 1,200 square feet. Applies: The first new home. § 29.10.630 · code text The maximum size of the first new residential unit shall not exceed one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet.
Minimum new lot size	Each new lot must be at least 1,200 square feet. § 29.10.650 · code text In no event shall a new parcel be less than one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet in lot area.
Standards	At most 16 feet tall; elsewhere the zone's height limit applies. Applies: SB 9 two-unit projects; the 16-foot limit applies to buildings in required side or rear setbacks or in Hillside Residential zones. § 29.10.630 · code text Buildings located within the required side or rear setbacks of the applicable zoning district, and those located in the Hillside Residential (HR) zones, shall not exceed sixteen (16) feet in height; Each new lot must be at least 20 feet wide. Applies: Each new lot. § 29.10.650 · code text Each new parcel shall maintain a minimum lot width of twenty (20) feet; At least 20 feet of street frontage. Applies: Each new lot, except as allowed for flag or corridor lots. § 29.10.650 · code text Each new parcel shall have frontage upon a street with a minimum frontage dimension of twenty (20) feet, except as allowed above for flag/corridor lots; No more than 2 lots. Applies: A parcel map that divides an existing lot. § 29.10.650 · code text The parcel map to subdivide an existing parcel shall result in no more than two (2) parcels; The access corridor must be at least 12 feet wide. Applies: Flag or corridor lots. § 29.10.650 · code text The access corridor of a flag/corridor lot (Town Code Section 29.10.085) shall be either in fee as part of the parcel or as an easement, and shall be a minimum width of 12 feet; New driveways must be at least 10 feet and at most 18 feet wide. Applies: New driveways outside Hillside Residential zones. § 29.10.630 · code text A minimum width of ten (10) feet up to a maximum width of eighteen (18) feet. Driveways in the Hillside Residential (HR) zones shall have a minimum width of twelve (12) feet; Driveways must be at least 12 feet wide. Applies: New driveways in Hillside Residential zones. § 29.10.630 · code text Driveways in the Hillside Residential (HR) zones shall have a minimum width of twelve (12) feet; Driveways must be at least 18 feet deep. Applies: New driveways, measured from the front or street-side property line. § 29.10.630 · code text A minimum depth of eighteen (18) feet measured from the front or street side property line; Driveway slope can be at most 15%. Applies: New driveways. § 29.10.630 · code text A maximum slope of fifteen (15) percent. Units of 800 square feet or less are allowed even above floor area and lot coverage limits. Applies: New two-unit housing developments. § 29.10.630 · code text a new two-unit housing development with unit sizes of 800 square feet or less shall be permitted. Grading can be at most 50 cubic yards, cut plus fill. Applies: Grading for a two-unit housing development. § 29.10.630 · code text Grading activity associated with a two-unit housing development shall not exceed fifty (50) cubic yards, cut plus fill, except: Building footprints cannot be on slopes steeper than 30%. Applies: The site of new homes and garages. § 29.10.630 · code text The footprint of the proposed residential unit(s) and garage(s) shall not be located on lands with slopes exceeding thirty (30) percent. Retaining walls can be at most 5 feet high. Applies: Retaining walls. § 29.10.630 · code text Retaining walls shall not exceed five (5) feet in height and shall not run in a straight continuous direction for more than fifty (50) feet without a break, offset, or planting pocket. Retaining walls cannot run straight for more than 50 feet without a break, offset or planting pocket. Applies: Retaining walls. § 29.10.630 · code text Retaining walls shall not exceed five (5) feet in height and shall not run in a straight continuous direction for more than fifty (50) feet without a break, offset, or planting pocket.
Owner occupancy	Applicant signs an affidavit to live in 1 of the units as their main home for at least 3 years. Applies: Urban lot splits; counted from approval for an existing home, or from the occupancy certificate for a new unit. § 29.10.650 · code text The applicant shall submit a signed affidavit to the Community Development Director attesting that the applicant intends to occupy one (1) of the housing units on the newly created parcels as their principal residence for a minimum of three (3) years

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Frequently asked questions

Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Los Gatos?

Los Gatos's code: New lots must be about equal in area; neither can be smaller than 40% of the original lot. (Urban lot splits (SB 9).) (§ 29.10.650); At most 1,200 square feet. (The first new home.) (§ 29.10.630).

General information, not legal advice.

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