Mill Valley · Zoning · DR
Mill Valley DR zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Mill Valley's DR zone, generally buildings can be up to 25 ft tall, the side setback limit is 5 to 10 ft and the rear setback limit is 5 to 10 ft, with the conditions listed below (Mill Valley code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 25 ft (At initial setback)
- Minimum side setback: 5 to 10 ft (The code sets 1 ft per 1,000 sq ft of lot area, at least 5 ft and at most 10 ft.)
- Minimum rear setback: 5 to 10 ft (The code sets 1 ft per 1,000 sq ft of lot area, at least 5 ft and at most 10 ft.)
- Maximum lot coverage: 50%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.60 (Multi-family residential development; single-family follows the RS zone rules)
DR (Downtown Residential) is a zoning district in Mill Valley. Every value below was read from the Mill Valley 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 DR
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 | 25 ft Applies: At initial setback See note 2 below the table in the code. § 20.26.030 · code textTable row “Height”, column “Downtown Residential (DR)”: Max. = 25 ft. at initial setback Height may be increased to a maximum of 35 ft. as follows: a. At any exterior property line, the height may be increased at a 1:1 stepback ratio (1 additional foot of height for every additional 1-ft. setback) starting at the 25-ft. setback b. At any interior (side and rear) setback, the height may be increased at a 1:1 stepback ratio (1 additional foot of height for every additional 1-ft. setback) starting at the 10-ft. setback Note 2: Height exceptions permitted per Section 20.60.060 . Dormers, gables, and other components of the structure shall be within the stepback envelope. |
|---|---|
| Minimum side setback | 5 to 10 ft Applies: The code sets 1 ft per 1,000 sq ft of lot area, at least 5 ft and at most 10 ft. See note 1 below the table in the code. § 20.26.030 · code textTable row “Interior (side/rear) (1)”, column “Downtown Residential (DR)”: Min. of 5 ft. to a max. 10 ft. (1 ft. for every 1,000 sq. ft. of lot area required) (Lots 25 ft. or less may be reduced to 3 ft. on first floor, except where windows are located, where 5 ft. required) Note 1: See Section 20.24.040(B) for additional development standards. |
| Minimum rear setback | 5 to 10 ft Applies: The code sets 1 ft per 1,000 sq ft of lot area, at least 5 ft and at most 10 ft. See note 1 below the table in the code. § 20.26.030 · code textTable row “Interior (side/rear) (1)”, column “Downtown Residential (DR)”: Min. of 5 ft. to a max. 10 ft. (1 ft. for every 1,000 sq. ft. of lot area required) (Lots 25 ft. or less may be reduced to 3 ft. on first floor, except where windows are located, where 5 ft. required) Note 1: See Section 20.24.040(B) for additional development standards. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% § 20.26.030 · code textTable row “Max. Lot Coverage”, column “Downtown Residential (DR)”: 50% |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.60 Applies: Multi-family residential development; single-family follows the RS zone rules The code attaches note i to this value. This page does not show it; read the code before relying on the number. § 20.26.030 · code textTable row “Floor Area Ratio (FAR) (i)”, column “Downtown Residential (DR)”: Multi-family residential development: Max.= 0.60; may be increased to 0.75 FAR in accordance with Section 20.26.020.B.4 Single family residential development: in accordance with RS-zone requirements found in Section 20.16.040.A |
Uses in DR
Uses the code's use tables allow in DR, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Single-family home — Allowed — see note
- Apartment building — Allowed
- Rooming or boarding house — Needs a conditional use permit
- Child care center — Needs a conditional use permit
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in DR:
- Maximum building height: 35 ft — Rises one foot per foot of added setback, starting at 25 ft from exterior lines and 10 ft from side and rear lines. § 20.26.030
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft — Habitable structures; Design Review can reduce it to 5 ft on Lower Alcatraz, Bayview and West Blithedale, or to 10 ft elsewhere. § 20.26.030
- Minimum front setback: 18 ft — Garage; 18 ft. to face of garage to remain clear § 20.26.030
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — With a Design Review application, for all other properties within the Downtown Residential Zone, if the conditions in Section 20.26.030(B)(7) are met § 20.26.030
- Minimum side setback: 3 ft — Lots 25 ft. or less wide; first floor, except where windows are located § 20.26.030
- Minimum rear setback: 3 ft — Lots 25 ft. or less wide; first floor, except where windows are located § 20.26.030
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.75 — With a Design Review application, the Planning Commission may allow it for two-story projects that meet the stated conditions. § 20.26.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, front setback, lot size, density limit for DR in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Mill Valley Municipal Code.
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Mill Valley's DR zone?
25 ft (at initial setback) — Mill Valley Municipal Code § 20.26.030.
What is the minimum side setback in Mill Valley's DR zone?
5 to 10 ft (the code sets 1 ft per 1,000 sq ft of lot area, at least 5 ft and at most 10 ft) — Mill Valley Municipal Code § 20.26.030.
What is the minimum rear setback in Mill Valley's DR zone?
5 to 10 ft (the code sets 1 ft per 1,000 sq ft of lot area, at least 5 ft and at most 10 ft) — Mill Valley Municipal Code § 20.26.030.
What is the maximum lot coverage in Mill Valley's DR zone?
50% — Mill Valley Municipal Code § 20.26.030.
What is the maximum floor area ratio (far) in Mill Valley's DR zone?
0.60 (multi-family residential development; single-family follows the RS zone rules) — Mill Valley Municipal Code § 20.26.030. The code attaches notes or conditions to this value; read the section before relying on it.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Mill Valley property in DR
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question