Pismo Beach · Zoning · CD-C
Pismo Beach CD-C zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Pismo Beach's CD-C zone, generally buildings can be up to 35 ft tall, the front setback is None required and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq. ft., with the conditions listed below (Pismo Beach code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 35 ft
- Minimum front setback: None required (10 ft where the side lot line abuts residential; at least half the first-floor width must stand on the front property line)
- Minimum side setback: None required
- Minimum rear setback: None required
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq. ft. (or as required by Conditional Use Permit)
- Maximum lot coverage: 80%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.0
CD-C is a zoning district in Pismo Beach. Every value below was read from the Pismo Beach 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 CD-C
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 | 35 ft See notes 4, 7 below the table in the code. § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “Height limit (4)”, column “CD-C”: 35 ft. (7) Note 4: Maximum allowed height of structures, except where a height limitation (HL), or view considerations (V) overlay district applies (Sections 17.18.040, and 17.18.060, respectively). The HL overlay applies in the following planning areas established by the general plan: Dinosaur Caves, Freeway Foothills, North Spyglass, Shell Beach, Spyglass, South Palisades, and Sunset Palisades. See also Chapter 17 Note 7: See Section 17.12.050(B) for height limits on sites adjacent to the boardwalk area. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | None required Applies: 10 ft where the side lot line abuts residential; at least half the first-floor width must stand on the front property line See note 2 below the table in the code. § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “Front”, column “CD-C”: 10 ft. where side lot line abuts residential, none otherwise. (2) Note 2: A minimum of fifty percent of the width of the first floor shall be located along the front property line. |
| Minimum side setback | None required § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “Sides (each)”, column “CD-C”: None |
| Minimum rear setback | None required § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “CD-C”: None |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq. ft. Applies: or as required by Conditional Use Permit See note 1 below the table in the code. § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “Minimum lot area (1)”, column “CD-C”: 5,000 sq. ft.; or as required by Conditional Use Permit Note 1: Minimum area for parcels proposed in new subdivisions. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 80% See notes 3, 8 below the table in the code. § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “Site coverage (3)”, column “CD-C”: 80% (8) Note 3: Maximum percentage of site area that may be covered with structures. See the definition of site coverage in Article VI (Definitions). Note 8: Greater site coverage may be authorized through conditional use permit approval. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 2.0 § 17.12.040 · code textTable row “Floor Area Ratio (FAR)”, column “CD-C”: 2.0 maximum |
Uses in CD-C
Uses the code's use tables allow in CD-C, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Emergency shelter — Allowed
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CD-C:
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — Where side lot line abuts residential § 17.12.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, density limit for CD-C in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Pismo Beach Municipal Code.
Other Pismo Beach zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Pismo Beach's CD-C zone?
35 ft — Pismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Pismo Beach's CD-C zone?
None required (10 ft where the side lot line abuts residential; at least half the first-floor width must stand on the front property line) — Pismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Pismo Beach's CD-C zone?
None required — Pismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Pismo Beach's CD-C zone?
None required — Pismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
What is the minimum lot size in Pismo Beach's CD-C zone?
5,000 sq. ft. (or as required by Conditional Use Permit) — Pismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.12.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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