Palo Alto R-2 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

R-2 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-2

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 2 below the table in the code. § 18.10.040 · code text Table row “Maximum Height (as measured to the peak of the roof) (ft)”, column “R-2”: 30 (2) Note 2: R-2 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	20 ft § 18.10.040 · code text Table row “Front Yard (ft)”, column “R-2”: 20
Minimum side setback	6 ft § 18.10.040 · code text Table row “Interior Side Yard (ft)”, column “R-2”: 6
Minimum rear setback	20 ft § 18.10.040 · code text Table row “Rear Yard (ft)”, column “R-2”: 20
Minimum lot size	6,000 sq ft Applies: All lots except flag lots See note 1 below the table in the code. § 18.10.040 · code text Table row “All lots except flag lots(1)”, column “R-2”: 6,000 Note 1: Minimum Lot Size: Any lot less than the minimum lot size may be used in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 18.40.
Maximum lot coverage	40% Applies: Single story development § 18.10.040 · code text Table row “Single story development”, column “R-2”: 40%
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	0.45 Applies: First 5,000 square feet § 18.10.040 · code text Table row “First 5,000 square feet”, column “R-2”: .45

When a different number applies

The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-2:

Maximum building height: 33 ft — In a special flood hazard area: heights rise by half the extra elevation needed to reach base flood elevation, up to 33 ft § 18.10.040
Maximum building height: 17 ft — Substandard lots § 18.10.040
Maximum building height: 17 ft — Flag lots § 18.10.040
Maximum number of stories: 1 habitable floor — Substandard lots § 18.10.040
Maximum number of stories: 1 habitable floor — Flag lots § 18.10.040
Minimum front setback: 10 ft — Flag lots; not subject to contextual front setback requirements § 18.10.040
Maximum lot coverage: 35% — Multiple story development § 18.10.040
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.30 — Square footage in excess of 5,000 square feet § 18.10.040

Not on this page

We did not find a general stories, density limit for R-2 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-2 zone?

30 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.10.040.

What is the minimum front setback in Palo Alto's R-2 zone?

20 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.10.040.

What is the minimum side setback in Palo Alto's R-2 zone?

6 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.10.040.

What is the minimum rear setback in Palo Alto's R-2 zone?

20 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.10.040.

What is the minimum lot size in Palo Alto's R-2 zone?

6,000 sq ft (all lots except flag lots) — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.10.040.

General information, not legal advice.