Palo Alto · Zoning · NV-R3
Palo Alto NV-R3 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Palo Alto's NV-R3 zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 8,500 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Palo Alto code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (Park Blvd. frontage only; each street has its own setback, listed below.)
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 10 ft
- Minimum lot size: 8,500 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 60%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.5:1
- Maximum density: none required
NV-R3 (North Ventura R3) is a zoning district in Palo Alto. Every value below was read from the Palo Alto 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 NV-R3
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 | 45 ft § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Standard”, column “NV-R3”: 45' |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: Park Blvd. frontage only; each street has its own setback, listed below. § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Street Yard (ft)”, column “NV-R3”: Park Blvd.: 15' Ash St: 5' Acacia Ave: 5' Portage Ave: 5' |
| Minimum side setback | 5 ft § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Interior Side Yards (ft)”, column “NV-R3”: 5' |
| Minimum rear setback | 10 ft § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Interior Rear Yards (ft)”, column “NV-R3”: 10' |
| Minimum lot size | 8,500 sq ft § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Minimum Site Specifications Site Area (ft 2 ) Site Width (ft) Site Depth (ft)”, column “NV-R3”: 8,500 70 100 |
| Maximum lot coverage | 60% § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Base”, column “NV-R3”: 60 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 1.5:1 § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Total Mixed-Use FAR”, column “NV-R3”: 1.5:1 |
| Maximum density | none required § 18.29.060 · code textTable row “Maximum units per acre”, column “NV-R3”: None |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in NV-R3:
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft — Ash St § 18.29.060
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft — Acacia Ave § 18.29.060
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft — Portage Ave § 18.29.060
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.15:1 — Non-residential use § 18.29.060
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories limit for NV-R3 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Palo Alto Municipal Code.
Other Palo Alto zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Palo Alto's NV-R3 zone?
45 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
What is the minimum front setback in Palo Alto's NV-R3 zone?
15 ft (park Blvd. frontage only; each street has its own setback, listed below) — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
What is the minimum side setback in Palo Alto's NV-R3 zone?
5 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
What is the minimum rear setback in Palo Alto's NV-R3 zone?
10 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
What is the minimum lot size in Palo Alto's NV-R3 zone?
8,500 sq ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.29.060.
General information, not legal advice.
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