Palo Alto R-1 (20,000) zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-1 (20,000) 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 R-1 (20,000)

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	30 ft See note 3 below the table in the code. § 18.12.040 · code text Table row “Standard”, column “R-1 (20,000)*”: 30 (3) Note 3: R-1 Floodzone Heights: Provided, in a special flood hazard area as defined in Chapter 16.52, the maximum heights are increased by one-half of the increase in elevation required to reach base flood elevation, up to a maximum building height of 33 feet.
Minimum front setback	greater of 20 ft or average setback when average setback is 30 ft or more § 18.12.040 · code text The minimum front yard (“setback”) shall be the greater of twenty feet (20') or the average setback, if the average front setback is 30 feet or more.
Minimum side setback	8 ft § 18.12.040 · code text Table row “Interior Side Yard (ft.)”, column “R-1 (20,000)*”: 8
Minimum rear setback	20 ft § 18.12.040 · code text Table row “Rear Yard (ft.)”, column “R-1 (20,000)*”: 20
Minimum lot size	20,000 sq ft See note 1 below the table in the code. § 18.12.040 · code text Table row “All lots except flag lots (1)”, column “R-1 (20,000)*”: 20,000 Note 1: Minimum Lot Size: Any lot less than the minimum lot size may be used in accordance with the provisions of Section 18.40.080.
Maximum lot coverage	35% Applies: Multiple story development See note 7 below the table in the code. § 18.12.040 · code text Table row “Multiple story development”, column “R-1 (20,000)*”: 35% (7) Note 7: Site Coverage: The covering of a court is exempt from the calculation of site coverage provided that the court existed prior to July 20, 1978.
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	0.45 Applies: First 5,000 sq. ft. of lot size § 18.12.040 · code text Table row “First 5,000 sq. ft. of lot size”, column “R-1 (20,000)*”: .45
Maximum density	1 unit § 18.12.040 · code text Table row “Residential Density”, column “R-1 (20,000)*”: One unit, except as provided in Section 18.12.090

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-1 (20,000):

Maximum building height: 33 ft — Building with a roof pitch of 12:12 or greater § 18.12.040
Minimum front setback: 10 ft — Flag lot; not subject to contextual front setback requirements § 18.12.040
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.30 — Square footage of lot size in excess of 5,000 sq. ft. § 18.12.040

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories limit for R-1 (20,000) 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

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in Palo Alto's R-1 (20,000) zone?

30 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.12.040.

What is the minimum front setback in Palo Alto's R-1 (20,000) zone?

greater of 20 ft or average setback when average setback is 30 ft or more — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.12.040.

What is the minimum side setback in Palo Alto's R-1 (20,000) zone?

8 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.12.040.

What is the minimum rear setback in Palo Alto's R-1 (20,000) zone?

20 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.12.040.

What is the minimum lot size in Palo Alto's R-1 (20,000) zone?

20,000 sq ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.12.040.

General information, not legal advice.