Lot splits under SB 9 in Menlo Park: the local rules

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

What Menlo Park's code says

Menlo Park code What Menlo Park's code adds
How the lot may be divided	Each new lot at least 40% of the original lot size. § 15.31.040 · code text Subject to urban lot split subdivision standards, the minimum lot size shall be no less than forty percent (40%) of the initial lot size and at least one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet. Each new lot is 50% of the original lot width. Applies: Applies to side-by-side splits of lots less than 65 feet wide. § 15.31.040 · code text For properties with an existing width of less than sixty-five (65) feet, the subdivided lot width shall be fifty percent (50%) of the original lot width. Each new lot at least 40% of the original lot width. Applies: Applies to side-by-side splits of lots 65 feet wide or more. § 15.31.040 · code text For properties with a lot width of sixty-five (65) feet or greater, the subdivided lot width shall be at least forty percent (40%) of the initial lot width.
Minimum new lot size	At least 1,200 square feet. § 15.31.040 · code text Subject to urban lot split subdivision standards, the minimum lot size shall be no less than forty percent (40%) of the initial lot size and at least one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet.
Setbacks	At least 4 feet side setback. Applies: Applies to ground-floor side yards, unless the side line abuts a newly created panhandle. § 15.31.040 · code text Side: Four (4) feet, unless the side property line abuts a newly created panhandle, in which case there is no required side yard. At least 4 feet rear setback. Applies: Applies to ground-floor rear yards. § 15.31.040 · code text Rear: Four (4) feet. At least 4 feet front setback. Applies: Applies when the front line is a newly created lot line on a panhandle lot; ground floor. § 15.31.040 · code text Front: The required front yard per the underlying zoning district shall apply, unless the front property line is located at a newly created lot line on a panhandle lot, where the minimum required front yard shall be four (4) feet. No setbacks required. Applies: Applies to an existing structure, or one rebuilt in the same place and size. § 15.31.040 · code text No yards shall be required for an existing structure, or a structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure.
Standards	Panhandle at least 20 feet wide. Applies: Applies to panhandle lots. § 15.31.040 · code text Subject to urban lot split subdivision standards, the panhandle width shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet for panhandle lots to allow development on the parcel to comply with all applicable property access requirements under the California Fire Code Section 503 (Fire Apparatus Access Roads) and California Code Regulations Title 14, Section 1273.00 et seq. Standards may not prevent 2 units on each parcel or units of 800 square feet. Applies: Applies to urban lot splits. § 15.31.040 · code text Any standards that would have the effect of physically precluding the construction of two (2) units on either of the resulting parcels or that would result in a unit size of less than eight hundred (800) square feet shall not be imposed.

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Can I split my lot under SB 9 in Menlo Park?

Menlo Park's code: At least 1,200 square feet. (§ 15.31.040); Panhandle at least 20 feet wide. (Applies to panhandle lots.) (§ 15.31.040).

Lot splits under SB 9 in Menlo Park

What Menlo Park's code says

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