Menlo Park · Zoning · R-L-U
Menlo Park R-L-U zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Menlo Park's R-L-U zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is 25 ft and the minimum lot size is 20,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Menlo Park code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft (On sites of 40,000 sq ft or more, a conditional development permit can allow more.)
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft (At least 10 ft on either side; 30 ft total for both sides.)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
- Minimum lot size: 20,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 35%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.5
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 800 sq ft (on sites of 40,000 sq ft or more with a conditional development permit, up to 1 unit per 450 sq ft)
R-L-U (Retirement Living Units 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-L-U
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 Applies: On sites of 40,000 sq ft or more, a conditional development permit can allow more. § 16.28.030 · code textHeight of structures shall not exceed thirty-five feet (35'), provided that on sites forty thousand (40,000) square feet or more in area, and subject to obtaining a conditional development permit, height of structures may exceed thirty-five feet (35'); |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 25 ft § 16.28.030 · code textRequired minimum yards: twenty-five feet (25') front; twenty feet (20') rear; thirty feet (30') total side; ten feet (10') minimum either side; |
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft Applies: At least 10 ft on either side; 30 ft total for both sides. § 16.28.030 · code textRequired minimum yards: twenty-five feet (25') front; twenty feet (20') rear; thirty feet (30') total side; ten feet (10') minimum either side; |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 16.28.030 · code textRequired minimum yards: twenty-five feet (25') front; twenty feet (20') rear; thirty feet (30') total side; ten feet (10') minimum either side; |
| Minimum lot size | 20,000 sq ft § 16.28.030 · code textMinimum lot area: twenty thousand (20,000) square feet; |
| Maximum lot coverage | 35% § 16.28.030 · code textLand cover by all structures shall not exceed thirty-five percent (35%) of building site; |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.5 § 16.28.030 · code textFloor area ratio: the total gross floor area of all buildings shall not exceed one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the total lot area. |
| Maximum density | 1 unit per 800 sq ft Applies: on sites of 40,000 sq ft or more with a conditional development permit, up to 1 unit per 450 sq ft § 16.28.030 · code textMinimum land area per dwelling unit: eight hundred (800) square feet; provided that on sites forty thousand (40,000) square feet or more in area and subject to obtaining a conditional development permit, density may exceed one (1) dwelling unit per eight hundred (800) square feet, to a maximum of one (1) dwelling unit for four hundred fifty (450) square feet, and shall be as specified in the conditional development permit; |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-L-U:
- Maximum density: 1 unit per 450 sq ft — On sites 40,000 sq ft or more, subject to obtaining a conditional development permit § 16.28.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories limit for R-L-U 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-L-U zone?
35 ft (on sites of 40,000 sq ft or more, a conditional development permit can allow more) — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.28.030.
What is the minimum front setback in Menlo Park's R-L-U zone?
25 ft — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.28.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Menlo Park's R-L-U zone?
10 ft (at least 10 ft on either side; 30 ft total for both sides) — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.28.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Menlo Park's R-L-U zone?
20 ft — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.28.030.
What is the minimum lot size in Menlo Park's R-L-U zone?
20,000 sq ft — Menlo Park Municipal Code § 16.28.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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