Local zoning · Los Gatos

Los Gatos — Land Use

Q: What can I build on an R-1 lot in Los Gatos?

On an R‑1 lot you may build a single‑family residence , accessory structures consistent with accessory rules, family daycare and small residential care facilities as permitted uses; other activities may be allowed only by a conditional use permit per the Table of Conditional Uses § 29.40.385; § 29.40.390; § 29.20.185

Q: Can I do a two‑unit housing development or urban lot split ministerially?

Yes — the code provides ministerial paths for two‑unit housing developments and urban lot splits subject to strict objective standards and many exclusions (e.g., floodplain, habitat, conservation easements). See § 29.10.620–650 and the objective standards in § 29.10.630 . Be aware there are exclusion criteria and procedural steps (neighbor notice, recorded covenants)

Q: Where is the conditional use table and how do I read it?

The Table of Conditional Uses is in § 29.20.185 ; the table marks uses that are allowed in a zone only when a Conditional Use Permit is granted. It supplements each zone’s permitted‑use list; always check both § 29.20.185 and the zone’s permitted uses (e.g., § 29.60.210 for C‑1)

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

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what Chapter 29 of the Town of Los Gatos Zoning Code says about permitted land uses, conditional uses, and the most important development rules by zoning district. It pulls the controlling local code sections so you can see which uses are outright allowed, which require a conditional use permit, and the key dimensional controls (setbacks, height, lot area, lot coverage, FAR) you will need to check for any parcel. See the Town's general zoning & planning overview for department contacts and process details.

Note on links used in this page: the guide links the Town's topic pages for development standards, parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, California Building Standards Code, and historic preservation where the code references those topics.

How to read the code excerpts used here

“Permitted uses” listed below are the uses the ordinance allows without discretionary approval for that zone; conditional uses are allowed only where the code table or the zone text lists them and a Conditional Use Permit is issued. See § 29.10.040 and the conditional use framework in § 29.20.180 and the Table of Conditional Uses § 29.20.185 .

District-by-district breakdown

Note: each district heading uses the Town's exact district label and cites the controlling sections. Where the code gives a list of permitted uses it is summarized below in plain language; always verify parcel-specific allowances on the zoning map and the full code text.

RC — Resource Conservation

Purpose: protect open space, scenic areas, watersheds and limit development in Williamson Act / hillside areas. See § 29.40.155 .
Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwelling, agriculture (except dairying), botanical conservatory, family day care, small residential care — see § 29.40.160 .
Conditional uses: activities listed in the conditional use table are available only by CUP § 29.40.165 (refers to § 29.20.185) .
Key dimensional standards: maximum height 30 ft, minimum lot area 20 acres, front yard 30 ft / side 20 ft / rear 25 ft: § 29.40.170 .
Where it applies: hillside/conservation parcels shown on the zoning map; design/site approval often required for access and improvements § 29.40.180 .

HR — Hillside Residential

Purpose: hillscape-sensitive residential development with slope-density controls, protection of trees and limited grading § 29.40.230 .
Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwellings, limited accessory uses and family/daycare (see § 29.40.235) .
Conditional uses: conditional uses are available as listed in the Table of Conditional Uses § 29.40.165 / § 29.20.185 .
Key standards: hillside-specific height/yard and slope-density provisions referenced in the HR division; see § 29.40.170–235 for height and yards summaries .
Note: architecture and site approval is commonly required on HR parcels — see design review and § 29.40.180 .

R-1 — Single‑Family Residential (including R-1 size variants)

Purpose: single-family residential neighborhoods. Permitted uses and dimensional rules vary by the R‑1 lot-size subcategory (e.g., R-1 8,000 / 10,000 / 12,000 / 15,000 / 20,000 / 30,000 designations in the code) — see § 29.40.385–400 .
Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwelling, raising trees/vegetables (not commercial greenhouses/retail nurseries), family day care, small residential care — § 29.40.385 .
Conditional uses: uses listed in the Table of Conditional Uses are allowed by CUP § 29.40.390 (refers to § 29.20.185) .
Key dimensional standards (examples shown in code): selectable minimum lot areas and frontage/depth standards depending on the R‑1 subtype: minimum lot areas include 8,000 / 10,000 / 12,000 / 15,000 / 20,000 / 30,000 sq ft as set by ordinance; frontage and depth minimums are given in § 29.40.395–400 .
Accessory buildings: accessory structure rules (max 15 ft height, setback/min distances, and lot-coverage limits) are in § 29.40.015; note ADUs are handled separately (see § 29.40.015(4) referencing Division 7) .

R-D — Duplex Residential

Purpose: allow duplex/two-unit development where appropriate; area and yard standards smaller than R‑1 § 29.40.520–535 .
Permitted uses: two-family dwellings plus standard residential accessory uses; family daycare and small care facilities listed § 29.40.515–520 .
Key dimensional standards: minimum lot area 8,000 sq ft, frontage/depth and yard table with front 25 ft (varies), side 8 ft, rear 20 ft depending on context; max height 30 ft for principal building — § 29.40.520–535 .

O — Office

Purpose: professional and administrative uses; act as transition between residential and commercial zones § 29.60.090–115 .
Permitted uses: offices, professional services and similar activities (plus any activities allowed by the code in the O zone text) § 29.60.085–095 .
Key standards: minimum lot area 8,000 sq ft § 29.60.095, front yard 25 ft / side 10 ft / rear 20 ft / side abutting street 15 ft, max height 35 ft for principal and max lot coverage 40% § 29.60.100–110 .
Special: FAR limit of 0.60 (sixty-hundredths) applies inside parking assessment districts for new/expanded buildings § 29.60.115 .

C-1 — Neighborhood Commercial

Purpose: small-scale retail and services serving neighborhood needs § 29.60.205 .
Permitted uses: retailing (including formula retail up to 10,000 sq ft), personal service businesses, office activities, limited manufacturing where sales are on-site, group classes, specialty food retail (no alcoholic beverages) § 29.60.210 .
Conditional uses: uses listed in Table of Conditional Uses when CUP issued § 29.60.215 .
Key standards: no minimum lot size § 29.60.220, minimum front yard 15 ft, side/rear none required except side abutting street 15 ft § 29.60.225 .

C-2 — Central Business (Downtown/Central Business District)

Purpose and special rules: higher intensity retail/office/mixed use; the Code maps FAR and height expectations for central business areas (see the General Plan / table references in § 29.80. and the C‑2 zone provisions). The general plan zoning-to-standards table shows FAR up to 2.0 and max height 45 ft in the C‑2 designation; see planning table and underlying C‑2 sections § 29.60.335 and the general plan table § 29.80. .

PD — Planned Development Overlay

Purpose: preserve resources, create public benefits or enable flexible site-specific development; PD is an overlay that permits deviations when they meet PD intent § 29.80.075–085 .
Limits: the PD overlay is not a catch-all and cannot be used to circumvent the General Plan or reasonable existing code standards; PD applications must meet listed criteria (e.g., public benefit, historic property, hillside property, affordable housing) § 29.80.080 .
Where it applies: only where the PD overlay is mapped; PD projects remain subject to the underlying zoning development standards except where the PD explicitly modifies them § 29.80.085 . See overlay districts.

PS — Public School Overlay

Application: applies only to land owned by public school districts (PS zoning) and allows school-related uses in addition to the underlying zone § 29.80.405–425 .
Permitted uses include public building, library, park, school, nursery school, vocational school, arts instruction and others listed § 29.80.415 .
Conditional uses: broader list (multiple-family, light industrial, warehousing, offices) may be allowed by CUP consistent with underlying zone § 29.80.420 .

HEOZ — Housing Element Overlay Zone

Intent: encourage housing production and affordability on designated sites by using by-right, objective standards and concessions where specified § 29.80.505–510 .
Where it matters: HEOZ can allow "by‑right" residential projects when meeting the HEOZ standards and affordability thresholds; it prescribes non-discretionary design review and specific tabled development standards § 29.80.510 .

Quick reference table (decision-relevant summary)

District	Typical permitted uses (summary)	Key numeric standards	Code Reference
RC	SFR, limited agriculture, conservatory, family/daycare	Height 30 ft; Min lot 20 acres; Front 30 ft	§ 29.40.155–170
HR	SFR (hillside‑sensitive)	Hillside-specific yards/heights; slope-density rules	§ 29.40.230–235
R-1	Single-family homes; family/daycare; small care	Lot area variants 8,000–30,000 sq ft; frontage/depth tables	§ 29.40.385–400
R‑D	Duplexes / two-family	Min lot 8,000 sq ft; side 8 ft; height 30 ft	§ 29.40.515–535
O	Offices / professional	Min lot 8,000 sq ft; front 25 ft; height 35 ft; lot coverage 40%	§ 29.60.095–110
C‑1	Neighborhood retail, services, offices	No min lot; front 15 ft; side/rear none	§ 29.60.205–225

(For the full conditional use matrix see § 29.20.185 and for overall land‑use prohibition rules see § 29.10.045.)

How the code treats accessory units, two-unit projects, and site approvals

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are governed in Division 7; ADU development standards (size, height allowances, parking exceptions, and objective design criteria) are in § 29.10.305–330 (see especially § 29.10.325 for ADU development standards). ADU lot-coverage/FAR exceptions and parking rules appear in the ADU division (parking exemptions such as proximity to transit or historic district apply) § 29.10.325 and related ADU subsections § 29.10.320–330 . See our ADU page for user-focused guidance ADUs.
Two‑unit housing developments and urban lot splits have their own ministerial standards and application process (objective zoning and design standards; ministerial review by the Community Development Director) — see § 29.10.620–650 and the related two‑unit standards in § 29.10.630–640 .
Architecture and site approval / design review: many hillside, PD, and discretionary projects or conditional uses require architecture & site approval or design review; the code references architecture and site approval throughout (for example, access roads in RC § 29.40.180) — see design review and § 29.40.180 .

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before filing or to demonstrate compliance)

Confirm the parcel's zoning designation and any overlay (PD, PS, HEOZ) on the Town zoning map — relevant standards vary by overlay § 29.80.505–510 .
Verify the proposed use is a permitted use in that zone or otherwise listed in the Table of Conditional Uses § 29.10.040; § 29.20.185 .
Check dimensional standards: lot area, frontage, setbacks, height, lot coverage, FAR in the applicable zone (e.g., R‑1: § 29.40.395–400; O: § 29.60.095–115) .
Confirm parking requirements and any allowed reductions/exemptions (ADU exemptions in ADU division and parking chapter) § 29.10.060; ADU rules § 29.10.325 . See parking.
If the use requires discretionary review (CUP, architecture & site approval, PD), prepare findings and plan sets per the applicable Article II procedures § 29.20.180; § 29.20.135–160 .
For ADUs, follow Division 7 ministerial standards (size, parking, deed restriction rules, sprinklers exemption) § 29.10.305–330 .
Check for historic‑district or LHP overlay restrictions (some ADU and setback exceptions apply or are restricted; see historic rules) § 29.10.325 (ADU exemptions) . See historic preservation.
Confirm compliance with applicable building and fire codes — Town adopts the IBC/Fire Code via local ordinance; building permit review enforces those standards. See California Building Standards Code and the references to building/fire codes in the two‑unit and ADU sections § 29.10.630(c) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Conditional use entitlement vs. permitted use	A use that appears similar to an allowed use may still require a CUP if listed in § 29.20.185 — mis‑classifying can cause denial	Confirm the specific activity in the Table of Conditional Uses § 29.20.185 and the zone's permitted‑use list § 29.10.040
ADU parking exemptions and historic overlays	ADU parking may be waived in some cases (transit proximity, historic district) but historic or LHP overlays may add limits § 29.10.325 and ADU exemptions § 29.10.325(f)	Verify whether property is in a historic district or LHP overlay and which ADU exemptions trigger — consult the Town's historic overlay map and § 29.10.325
HEOZ "by‑right" vs. underlying standards	HEOZ allows by‑right housing when objective standards are met, but underlying zoning still controls non‑residential components § 29.80.510	Confirm if the site is mapped HEOZ and whether the project meets HEOZ Table 1A standards and affordability thresholds § 29.80.510
Two‑unit/urban lot split ministerial triggers	State law (SB 9 / Gov. Code) and local objective standards create ministerial paths, but there are many exclusion criteria (floodplain, habitat, conservation easements) § 29.10.630–650	Verify the parcel against the exclusion list in § 29.10.630–650 and whether any discretionary triggers apply § 29.10.640
Parking / parking assessment district FAR limit	Office/other district development inside parking assessment districts have FAR limits that may restrict expansion (e.g., FAR 0.60 in office parking district) § 29.60.115	Check whether parcel sits in a parking assessment district and whether proposed floor area would exceed § 29.60.115 limits

Plain-English Summary

Los Gatos' Chapter 29 tells you which uses are allowed where, and the numeric rules (setbacks, heights, lot size, coverage, FAR) that those uses must follow. Single‑family neighborhoods (R‑1/R‑D/HR) primarily allow homes and small accessory uses, commercial zones (C‑1/C‑2) allow retail and services consistent with downtown intensity, and overlays like PD, PS, and HEOZ add site‑specific or housing‑production rules. If a use isn't listed as permitted, check the Conditional Use Table § 29.20.185 — many nonstandard activities require a CUP. Always check the specific section for your zone and verify overlays and maps. § 29.10.040; § 29.20.185

Source References

Town of Los Gatos Zoning Code, Land use and general rules: § 29.10.040 and § 29.10.045
Table of Conditional Uses: § 29.20.180 and § 29.20.185 (Table of Conditional Uses)
RC zone: § 29.40.155–170 (permitted uses, conditional uses, development standards)
HR zone and related hillside provisions: § 29.40.230–235
R‑1 single‑family standards and lot tables: § 29.40.385–400 (permitted uses; lot area/frontage/depth)
R‑D duplex zone standards: § 29.40.515–535 (lot area, yards, height)
Office zone (O) standards including FAR and lot coverage: § 29.60.095–115
C‑1 neighborhood commercial rules: § 29.60.205–225
PD overlay: § 29.80.075–085 (planned development overlay intent and limits)
PS overlay: § 29.80.405–425 (public school overlay uses/conditional uses)
HEOZ (Housing Element Overlay Zone): § 29.80.505–510 (by‑right standards and Table 1A references)
Accessory dwelling units (ministerial ADU standards and parking exemptions): Div. 7, § 29.10.305–330, especially § 29.10.325 (ADU development standards)
Two‑unit housing development and urban lot split rules (ministerial standards, exclusions): § 29.10.620–650; § 29.10.630–640
Parking chapter header and procedures: § 29.10.060 (see parking requirements and references)

Sources

Retrieved passages

Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ 4.26.010) High relevance
Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ 4.88.030) High relevance
Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ 4.52.020) High relevance
Los Gatos Zoning Code (section 29.80.415) High relevance
Los Gatos Zoning Code (section 29.40.160) High relevance
Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ 4.30.020) High relevance
Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ 4.10.110) High relevance
Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ I) High relevance
Los Gatos Zoning Code (title of) High relevance
Los Gatos Zoning Code (section 29.20.480) Medium relevance
California Fire Code (Chapter 29) Medium relevance
Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ II) Medium relevance
Los Gatos Zoning Code (Section 29.10.155) Medium relevance
Los Gatos Zoning Code (Section 29.10.020) Medium relevance
Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ 4.05.010) Medium relevance
CFC § 66300 (Chapter 29) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Los Gatos code library

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R-1 lot in Los Gatos?

On an R‑1 lot you may build a single‑family residence, accessory structures consistent with accessory rules, family daycare and small residential care facilities as permitted uses; other activities may be allowed only by a conditional use permit per the Table of Conditional Uses § 29.40.385; § 29.40.390; § 29.20.185

What are Los Gatos setback and lot-size requirements for single-family zones?

Setbacks and lot-size minimums vary by the R‑1 subtype. The code lists selectable minimum lot areas such as 8,000 / 10,000 / 12,000 / 15,000 / 20,000 / 30,000 sq ft and matching frontage/depth standards — see § 29.40.395–400 for the table of precise requirements

Do I need a conditional use permit for a restaurant or bar?

Restaurants are treated in the conditional uses matrix and by zone. Consult the Table of Conditional Uses § 29.20.185; whether a restaurant/bar needs a CUP depends on the zone and the type of alcohol service (e.g., full‑service bar vs. restaurant‑incidental alcohol) — see § 29.20.185 and the specific zone text (C zones)

Are accessory dwelling units allowed and what parking is required?

ADUs are allowed under Division 7 and must meet objective ADU standards. Parking for ADUs is generally one space per ADU or per bedroom, whichever is less, with multiple exemptions (transit proximity, historic district, conversion, etc.) — see § 29.10.305–330, especially § 29.10.325

What does the PD overlay allow that the base zone does not?

A PD overlay can permit deviations from standard development rules where the project meets PD purposes (public benefits, hillside or historic compatibility, affordable housing) but cannot be used to defeat the General Plan or permit uses inconsistent with it — see § 29.80.075–085

Can I do a two‑unit housing development or urban lot split ministerially?

Yes — the code provides ministerial paths for two‑unit housing developments and urban lot splits subject to strict objective standards and many exclusions (e.g., floodplain, habitat, conservation easements). See § 29.10.620–650 and the objective standards in § 29.10.630. Be aware there are exclusion criteria and procedural steps (neighbor notice, recorded covenants)

Where is the conditional use table and how do I read it?

The Table of Conditional Uses is in § 29.20.185; the table marks uses that are allowed in a zone only when a Conditional Use Permit is granted. It supplements each zone’s permitted‑use list; always check both § 29.20.185 and the zone’s permitted uses (e.g., § 29.60.210 for C‑1)

Are there FAR limits for office development downtown or in parking districts?

Yes. For office buildings in certain parking assessment districts, the code limits new buildings/expansions to a FAR of 0.60; other zones (e.g., C‑2) have higher FARs shown in the zoning/general plan tables — see § 29.60.115 and the general plan/zoning standards table § 29.80.

Do historic districts affect ADU options and design rules?

Historic status and LHP overlays can affect ADU siting and exceptions (some ADU parking and location rules have historic-district exceptions). The ADU division references historic constraints — see § 29.10.325 and consult the Town’s historic overlay map and historic preservation for site‑specific rules

Who determines parking and parking reductions for unique uses?

The code establishes parking rules and the director/committees who administer exemptions; parking topics are in the parking chapter and ADU provisions (see § 29.10.060 and ADU parking exemptions in § 29.10.325(f)) ---

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