Redwood City · Zoning · CG
Redwood City CG zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Redwood City's CG zone, generally buildings can be up to 75 ft tall, the front setback is None required and the minimum lot size is 5,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (Redwood City code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 75 ft
- Minimum front setback: None required (within 25 ft of an R District: half that district's front yard; 5 ft landscaped setback where abutting El Camino Real)
- Minimum side setback: None required (15 ft on the side abutting an R District)
- Minimum rear setback: None required (15 ft where the lot abuts an R District at the rear)
- Minimum lot size: 5,000 sq ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 60%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 70% (applies to commercial uses; other subsections set other FAR where they apply)
CG (GENERAL COMMERCIAL) is a zoning district in Redwood City. Every value below was read from the Redwood City 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 CG
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 | 75 ft § 15.5 · code textNo structure shall exceed seventy-five (75) feet in height. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | None required Applies: within 25 ft of an R District: half that district's front yard; 5 ft landscaped setback where abutting El Camino Real § 15.9 · code textA. Front yards: None required; except that within twenty-five (25) feet of any R District, a front yard having a minimum depth of one-half the minimum front yard depth required in such R District shall be required; excepting, further, that a minimum building setback of five (5) feet, containing permanently maintained landscaping, shall be required for properties abutting El Camino Real. |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: 15 ft on the side abutting an R District § 15.9 · code textB. Side yards: None required except that any lot abutting any R District on either side shall have a side yard with a minimum width of fifteen (15) feet on the side abutting such R District. |
| Minimum rear setback | None required Applies: 15 ft where the lot abuts an R District at the rear § 15.9 · code textC. Rear yards: None required except that any lot abutting any R District to the rear shall have a rear yard with a minimum depth of fifteen (15) feet. |
| Minimum lot size | 5,000 sq ft § 15.6 · code textThe minimum building site area shall be five thousand (5,000) square feet. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 60% § 15.8 · code textNot more than sixty percent (60%) of the lot shall be covered by buildings. |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 70% Applies: applies to commercial uses; other subsections set other FAR where they apply § 15.12 · code textD. Except as provided in subsections A, B and C of this section, the maximum floor area ratio for commercial uses is seventy percent (70%). |
Uses in CG
Uses the code's use tables allow in CG, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Kennel — Needs an use permit — see note
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in CG:
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft — Properties abutting El Camino Real; setback must contain permanently maintained landscaping § 15.9
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft — Lot abutting any R District on either side; applies on the side abutting such R District § 15.9
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft — Lot abutting any R District to the rear § 15.9
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 40% — Commercial uses on lots with frontage on El Camino Real (State Route 82), including lots immediately to the rear and adjacent to lots fronting on El Camino Real § 15.12
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 40% — Commercial uses on lots fronting on Woodside Road between the intersections thereof with El Camino Real and Alameda de Las Pulgas, including parcels immediately to the rear of and adjacent to qualifying lots § 15.12
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, density limit for CG in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Redwood City Municipal Code.
Other Redwood City zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Redwood City's CG zone?
75 ft — Redwood City Municipal Code § 15.5.
What is the minimum front setback in Redwood City's CG zone?
None required (within 25 ft of an R District: half that district's front yard; 5 ft landscaped setback where abutting El Camino Real) — Redwood City Municipal Code § 15.9.
What is the minimum side setback in Redwood City's CG zone?
None required (15 ft on the side abutting an R District) — Redwood City Municipal Code § 15.9.
What is the minimum rear setback in Redwood City's CG zone?
None required (15 ft where the lot abuts an R District at the rear) — Redwood City Municipal Code § 15.9.
What is the minimum lot size in Redwood City's CG zone?
5,000 sq ft — Redwood City Municipal Code § 15.6.
General information, not legal advice.
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