Palo Alto · Zoning · R-E
Palo Alto R-E zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Palo Alto's R-E zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft tall, the front setback is 30 ft and the minimum lot size is 1 acre, with the conditions listed below (Palo Alto code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft
- Minimum front setback: 30 ft
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 30 ft
- Minimum lot size: 1 acre (All lots except flag lots)
- Maximum lot coverage: 25%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.45 (First 5,000 square feet)
R-E 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-E
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 6 below the table in the code. § 18.10.040 · code textTable row “Maximum Height (as measured to the peak of the roof) (ft)”, column “R-E (6)”: 30 Note 6: Two Unit Development Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65852.21 (SB9, 2021): Construction of two units on an RE-zoned lot shall be subject to the development standards in this Section 18.10.040, except as modified by Section 18.42.180. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 30 ft See note 6 below the table in the code. § 18.10.040 · code textTable row “Front Yard (ft)”, column “R-E (6)”: 30 Note 6: Two Unit Development Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65852.21 (SB9, 2021): Construction of two units on an RE-zoned lot shall be subject to the development standards in this Section 18.10.040, except as modified by Section 18.42.180. |
| Minimum side setback | 15 ft See note 6 below the table in the code. § 18.10.040 · code textTable row “Interior Side Yard (ft)”, column “R-E (6)”: 15 Note 6: Two Unit Development Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65852.21 (SB9, 2021): Construction of two units on an RE-zoned lot shall be subject to the development standards in this Section 18.10.040, except as modified by Section 18.42.180. |
| Minimum rear setback | 30 ft See note 6 below the table in the code. § 18.10.040 · code textTable row “Rear Yard (ft)”, column “R-E (6)”: 30 Note 6: Two Unit Development Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65852.21 (SB9, 2021): Construction of two units on an RE-zoned lot shall be subject to the development standards in this Section 18.10.040, except as modified by Section 18.42.180. |
| Minimum lot size | 1 acre Applies: All lots except flag lots See notes 1, 6 below the table in the code. § 18.10.040 · code textTable row “All lots except flag lots(1)”, column “R-E (6)”: 1 acre 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. Note 6: Two Unit Development Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65852.21 (SB9, 2021): Construction of two units on an RE-zoned lot shall be subject to the development standards in this Section 18.10.040, except as modified by Section 18.42.180. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 25% See note 6 below the table in the code. § 18.10.040 · code textTable row “Single story development”, column “R-E (6)”: 25% Note 6: Two Unit Development Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65852.21 (SB9, 2021): Construction of two units on an RE-zoned lot shall be subject to the development standards in this Section 18.10.040, except as modified by Section 18.42.180. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.45 Applies: First 5,000 square feet See note 6 below the table in the code. § 18.10.040 · code textTable row “First 5,000 square feet”, column “R-E (6)”: .45 Note 6: Two Unit Development Pursuant to California Government Code Section 65852.21 (SB9, 2021): Construction of two units on an RE-zoned lot shall be subject to the development standards in this Section 18.10.040, except as modified by Section 18.42.180. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in R-E:
- 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-E 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 R-E zone?
30 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.10.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Palo Alto's R-E zone?
30 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.10.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Palo Alto's R-E zone?
15 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.10.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Palo Alto's R-E zone?
30 ft — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.10.040.
What is the minimum lot size in Palo Alto's R-E zone?
1 acre (all lots except flag lots) — Palo Alto Municipal Code § 18.10.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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