Los Gatos — Zoning

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Town of Los Gatos' Zoning Regulations (Chapter 29) actually require about zoning districts, the zoning map, and district-specific development standards. It interprets the code (Chapter 29) for Los Gatos property owners and applicants and points you to the exact controlling code sections so you can verify details with the Town. For rules that overlap with building construction standards, consult the California Building Standards Code; for procedural items like appeals and approvals, see the referenced administrative sections below. Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑specific interpretations.

How this code is organized (quick)

• The Town’s zoning map is part of Chapter 29 and shows zone boundaries; corrections to mapping features may be made administratively, but zone boundary changes require ordinance action (§ 29.10.015) .
• No use or building is allowed except as authorized by the Zoning Code for the applicable zone (§ 29.10.040) .
• Uses expressly prohibited in all zones (for example, junkyards, drive‑in restaurants, sex shops) are listed in the code; everything else must be specifically allowed by the zone or an overlay (§ 29.10.045) .
• The code combines base zoning districts (residential, commercial, office, etc.) with overlay zones and special plan districts (PD, HEOZ, NF‑SP) that modify or add standards; see the Town’s Los Gatos Overlay Districts page for context and this summary for the specific overlay rules in the ordinance.

Note: this page stays strictly to Chapter 29 (Zoning Regulations). For construction, structural, fire, or accessibility requirements see the California Building Standards Code.

District-by-district breakdown (what the code actually says)

Below are the most commonly applied base districts in Town Code Chapter 29 with the code’s stated purpose, typical permitted uses (short list), and the key dimensional and development standards the ordinance ties to each district. Each district heading names the official short designation used in the Town Code and cites the controlling §.

When the code references a development standard table or another section for numeric standards, the § is shown so you can verify the full table in the ordinance.

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

Purpose: The R-1 family of zones is the Town’s single‑family residential district(s), applied with different minimum lot sizes (for example R-1:8,000, R-1:10,000, etc.) and with separate setback/lot‑size tables in the code (intent and detailed rules in Article IV) (§ 29.40.405) .

Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwellings, customary accessory buildings (garages, studios) when meeting accessory rules, and accessory dwelling units per the ADU rules (§ 29.40.015, § 29.10.325) .

Key numeric standards (high‑level):

• Front yard: typically 25 ft for most R-1 lot sizes (see § 29.40.405) .
• Side yard: ranges from 8–16 ft depending on lot size (see § 29.40.405) .
• Rear yard: typically 20–25 ft (see § 29.40.405) .
• Lot frontage & depth minimums are prescribed by R-1 lot category (see § 29.40.400) .
• Accessory structures rules (height, placement, coverage) are in § 29.40.015; many accessory structures are limited to 15 ft high and 1 story unless otherwise allowed .

Practical note: the code allows small reductions via administrative procedures for some accessory structures in R‑1, but those are conditional on neighborhood compatibility criteria (§ 29.40.015) .

(For ADU-specific rules see the Los Gatos ADUs page; ADUs have their own objective standards in § 29.10.325.)

R‑D (Duplex Residential)

Purpose: The R‑D zone accommodates duplex development (two‑unit housing) with specific yard, height and coverage rules to reflect attached/semi‑attached forms (§ 29.40.530—29.40.540) .

Typical permitted uses: duplex units, accessory uses compatible with residential character; two‑unit housing developments are expressly regulated (see two‑unit development provisions) (§ 29.40.530, related design standards) .

Key numeric standards:

• Front yard: 25 ft; side yard: 8 ft; rear: 20 ft; street‑side: 15 ft for R‑D (§ 29.40.530) .
• Maximum height of principal building: 30 ft in R‑D (§ 29.40.535) .
• Maximum lot coverage in R‑D: 40% (including accessory buildings) (§ 29.40.540) .

Special procedural notes: two‑unit housing projects have additional objective design standards and setback/parking rules in the Town Code; see the two‑unit housing and Administrative Procedure sections cited in the code for full requirements and exceptions (verify with the Town for a specific application) .

R‑M — Multiple‑Family Residential

Purpose: The R‑M zone is intended for multiple‑family development in areas served by public improvements and where multi‑family is the highest and best use (§ 29.40.605) .

Typical permitted uses: multi‑family dwellings, selected institutional and support uses; the ordinance lists permitted uses in § 29.40.610 (single‑family is also listed as allowed in some contexts) .

Key numeric standards: density, height, and yard standards for R‑M are set in the R‑M article and cross‑referenced in overlay tables; consult § 29.40.645 and the HEOZ tables for specific numeric ranges when overlays apply (for example in HEOZ "by right" projects) .

C‑1 — Neighborhood Commercial and C‑2 — Central Business District

Purpose: The C‑1 and C‑2 districts are the primary commercial districts; numeric FAR and height limits differ by district and are cited at the district tables (§ 29.60.225, § 29.60.335 referenced in HEOZ tables) .

Typical permitted uses:

• C‑1: neighborhood retail/services consistent with adjacent residential areas (see § 29.60.225) .
• C‑2: central commercial, higher intensity and mixed‑use, higher FAR and height allowances (see § 29.60.335) .

Key numeric standards: the HEOZ references C‑H/CH and CH/mixed‑use standards and cross‑references district development standards; consult the commercial district sections and HEOZ Table 1A/1B for precise FAR and height caps (see § 29.80.510 and Table 1A/1B) .

O — Office/Professional

Purpose and typical uses: O allows offices and professional services with development standards identified in the code (see § 29.60.100) .

HR — Hillside Residential

Purpose: HR applies where hillside development standards and the Hillside Development Standards and Guidelines area map control the project’s form and design; many special standards (retaining walls, colors, landscaping, lighting, tree protection) apply in HR (§ 29.40.x and Hillside Guidelines) .

Key items: retaining wall heights, landscape and tree protection, and limited projections are specifically regulated in the Hillside provisions; consult the Hillside Development Standards cited in the Zoning Code for the full set of requirements (verify with Town) .

Planned Development Overlay (PD)

Purpose: The PD overlay is a discretionary tool to allow deviations or customized standards when the project provides public benefit, addresses special site constraints (hillside, historic resources, streams, trees), or proposes affordable housing or other public benefits (§ 29.80.075—29.80.095) .

Key rules:

• PD applications must include text/plans that specify proposed deviations and public benefits and demonstrate consistency with the General Plan and Town standards (§ 29.80.090) .
• The PD cannot be used to violate the General Plan; findings must be made to approve a PD (§ 29.80.095) .

Housing Element Overlay Zone (HEOZ)

Purpose: HEOZ is intended to encourage housing and affordable units on identified sites; it includes "by‑right" approval pathways for certain residential projects that meet objective standards and affordability thresholds (see § 29.80.505—29.80.510) .

Key rules (high‑level):

• Projects with at least 20% low‑income units on sites with underlying RM, CH, or NF‑SP may be by right if they meet density/standards in Table 1A and objective design standards; CEQA review is not required in that pathway (§ 29.80.510(a)) .
• Table 1A and 1B in § 29.80.510 specify yard, coverage, FAR, height, and density ranges applicable to HEOZ projects; the table ties back to base district sections for specific yard rules (for example § 29.40.405 for R‑1 yards) .

Public School Overlay (PS) and North Forty Specific Plan (NF‑SP)

• PS and NF‑SP are special overlays/plan areas; the PS overlay defers to the underlying zone for other regulations and reserves playground/playfield extents at adoption (§ 29.80.425—29.80.430) .
• NF‑SP is defined in the specific plan and referenced by the HEOZ tables for density; see § 29.80.510 and the NF‑SP documents for full standards .

Quick Reference Table: Decision‑relevant standards and code references

Practical guidance / synthesis (plain‑English)

• Start by confirming the zoning shown on the Town’s zoning map — the map is part of Chapter 29 and small mapping corrections can be made administratively, but zone changes require an ordinance (§ 29.10.015) .
• For most single‑family projects the numeric constraints you need first are the R‑1 yard and lot tables (front/side/rear, frontage/depth) in § 29.40.405 and § 29.40.400 — these are decisive for siting a house or addition .
• If your site is in an overlay (for example HEOZ, PD, HR, LHP/Historic), overlay rules modify or add requirements — the ordinance requires that overlay standards be applied in addition to the base zone (see PD and HEOZ divisions) .
• Design review and objective vs. discretionary pathways matter: certain HEOZ “by‑right” projects must use non‑discretionary design review under objective standards; other projects will be discretionary and require the Planning Commission or Town Council action — read the HEOZ language carefully to see which path applies (§ 29.80.510) .
• Accessory units and small accessory structures are regulated separately from the underlying zone (see accessory building rules § 29.40.015 and ADU rules § 29.10.325); ADU rules are specific and preempt some local discretion consistent with state ADU law, but the Town’s ADU section contains objective locational and setback rules you must meet .

Also consult the Town’s Los Gatos Development Standards page for how setbacks, lot coverage, and height are applied in practice, and the Los Gatos Parking page for parking expectations tied to zoning compliance.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy under Chapter 29)

• Confirm base zone on the Town zoning map and find the matching district article (§ 29.10.015) .
• Verify permitted uses and any absolute prohibitions for your proposed use (§ 29.10.040, § 29.10.045) .
• Pull the district numeric standards (yards, height, lot coverage, frontage) for the zone: R‑1 (see § 29.40.405, § 29.40.400), R‑D (see § 29.40.530–540), R‑M (see § 29.40.605–645) .
• Check accessory structure and ADU rules (§ 29.40.015, § 29.10.325) and whether an Administrative Procedure applies .
• If in an overlay (HEOZ, PD, HR, NF‑SP, PS, LHP), read those overlay sections for additional standards and by‑right vs discretionary pathways (§ 29.80.075—29.80.095, § 29.80.505—29.80.510) .
• Determine whether design review (objective or discretionary) or Planning Commission/Town Council review is required; HEOZ has specific non‑discretionary design review paths (§ 29.80.510) .
• Verify parking requirements and whether tandem or driveway parking is allowable per the code and any specific two‑unit/ADU provisions; consult the Los Gatos Parking page and the zoning parking sections in Chapter 29 (§ 29.10.060, related two‑unit sections) .
• For projects claiming by‑right HEOZ status (≥20% low‑income), assemble objective standard compliance documentation and check the Table 1A/1B entries in § 29.80.510 .
• Confirm whether the parcel is subject to historic restrictions (LHP) — historic status changes what is allowed for ADUs and alterations (§ 29.10.325) .
• If uncertain or parcel‑specific (setbacks at lot corners, irregular lots, slopes), “Verify with the jurisdiction.”

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Los Gatos’ zoning code (Chapter 29) ties every property to a base district (for example R‑1, R‑D, R‑M, C‑1, C‑2, O, HR) with specific yard, height, lot coverage, and allowable uses, and then layers overlays (HEOZ, PD, NF‑SP, PS, LHP) that add or change rules; read the exact district article and any overlay section that applies to your parcel, and verify the map in § 29.10.015 before designing a project.

Source References

• Town of Los Gatos, Town Code — Chapter 29: Zoning Regulations. Zoning map and general provisions: § 29.10.015, § 29.10.040, § 29.10.045.
• R‑1 lot frontage/depth and yard tables: § 29.40.400, § 29.40.405.
• Accessory buildings (residential): § 29.40.015.
• R‑D (duplex) yard/height/coverage provisions: §§ 29.40.530–29.40.540, § 29.40.535.
• R‑M (multiple‑family) intent and permitted uses: §§ 29.40.605–29.40.610 and related standards.
• Planned Development overlay (PD): §§ 29.80.075—29.80.095.
• Housing Element Overlay Zone (HEOZ), Tables 1A/1B and by‑right rules: § 29.80.505—29.80.510 (Table 1A/1B).
• Commercial and office district references appearing in HEOZ tables: § 29.60.100, § 29.60.225, § 29.60.335, § 29.60.435 (see HEOZ cross‑references).
• ADU objective standards and setbacks: § 29.10.325.
• Planning Commission powers and appeals (administration): § 29.20.750 (describing deciding bodies and appeal routes).

If you need parcel‑specific application of a numeric standard (for example exact front yard for an odd‑shaped lot, or whether your lot is inside a specific overlay area), verify with the Town of Los Gatos Planning Division — the ordinance tables must be read against the zoning map and any overlay map. Not all municipal policy guidance or GIS overlays is captured in the single export of Chapter 29 used here; verify with the Town for up‑to‑date maps and any recently adopted ordinances. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Retrieved passages

• Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ II) High relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (Chapter 29) High relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ 4.30.050) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 2 (article IV) High relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ 1.00.050) High relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ II) High relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (§ 4.26.040) Medium relevance show source text
• Los Gatos Zoning Code (section 29.80.415) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Town of Los Gatos, Town Code — Chapter 29: Zoning Regulations. Zoning map and general provisions: **§ 29.10.015**, **§ 29.10.040**, **§ 29.10.045**. (Chapter 29)
• R‑1 lot frontage/depth and yard tables: **§ 29.40.400**, **§ 29.40.405**. (§ 29.40.400)
• Accessory buildings (residential): **§ 29.40.015**. (§ 29.40.015)
• R‑D (duplex) yard/height/coverage provisions: **§§ 29.40.530–29.40.540**, **§ 29.40.535**. (§ 29.40.530)
• R‑M (multiple‑family) intent and permitted uses: **§§ 29.40.605–29.40.610** and related standards. (§ 29.40.605)
• Planned Development overlay (PD): **§§ 29.80.075—29.80.095**. (§ 29.80.075)
• Housing Element Overlay Zone (HEOZ), Tables 1A/1B and by‑right rules: **§ 29.80.505—29.80.510** (Table 1A/1B). (§ 29.80.505)
• Commercial and office district references appearing in HEOZ tables: **§ 29.60.100**, **§ 29.60.225**, **§ 29.60.335**, **§ 29.60.435** (see HEOZ cross‑references). (§ 29.60.100)
• ADU objective standards and setbacks: **§ 29.10.325**. (§ 29.10.325)
• Planning Commission powers and appeals (administration): **§ 29.20.750** (describing deciding bodies and appeal routes). (§ 29.20.750)
• LosGatos_ZoningCode.md

• Official Los Gatos code library