Menlo Park · Zoning · R-3
Menlo Park R-3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Menlo Park's R-3 zone, buildings can be up to 35 ft. tall and the minimum lot size is 7,000 sq. ft. (Menlo Park code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft.
- Minimum lot size: 7,000 sq. ft.
- Maximum lot coverage: 55%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 45%
- Maximum density: 3,333 sq. ft. per dwelling unit (Total lot area 7,000–19,999 sq. ft.)
R-3 (R-3 Apartment District) is a zoning district in Menlo Park. Every value below was read from the Menlo Park 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 R-3
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 | 35 ft. § 16.20.030 · code textTable row “Height”, column “All R-3 Zoned Properties Except for Lots Around the El Camino Real/Downtown Specific Plan Area”: 35 ft. |
|---|---|
| Minimum lot size | 7,000 sq. ft. § 16.20.030 · code textTable row “Minimum Lot Area”, column “All R-3 Zoned Properties Except for Lots Around the El Camino Real/Downtown Specific Plan Area”: 7,000 sq. ft. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 55% § 16.20.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Building Coverage”, column “All R-3 Zoned Properties Except for Lots Around the El Camino Real/Downtown Specific Plan Area”: 55% |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 45% § 16.20.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Floor Area Ratio”, column “All R-3 Zoned Properties Except for Lots Around the El Camino Real/Downtown Specific Plan Area”: 45% |
| Maximum density | 3,333 sq. ft. per dwelling unit Applies: Total lot area 7,000–19,999 sq. ft. § 16.20.030 · code textTable row “7,000—19,999 sq. ft.”, column “LAND AREA REQUIRED PER DWELLING UNIT”: 3,333 sq. ft. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-3:
- Maximum density: 3,100 sq. ft. per dwelling unit — Total lot area 20,000–29,999 sq. ft. § 16.20.030
- Maximum density: 2,900 sq. ft. per dwelling unit — Total lot area 30,000–39,999 sq. ft. § 16.20.030
- Maximum density: 2,700 sq. ft. per dwelling unit — Total lot area 40,000–59,999 sq. ft. § 16.20.030
- Maximum density: 2,600 sq. ft. per dwelling unit — Total lot area 60,000–69,999 sq. ft. § 16.20.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, front setback, side setback, rear setback limit for R-3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Menlo Park Municipal Code.
Other Menlo Park zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Menlo Park's R-3 zone?
35 ft. — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.20.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Menlo Park's R-3 zone?
7,000 sq. ft. — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.20.030.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Menlo Park's R-3 zone?
55% — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.20.030.
What is the maximum floor area ratio (far) in Menlo Park's R-3 zone?
45% — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.20.030.
What is the maximum density in Menlo Park's R-3 zone?
3,333 sq. ft. per dwelling unit (total lot area 7,000–19,999 sq. ft) — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.20.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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