San Anselmo C-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size

C-1 is a zoning district in San Anselmo. Every value below was read from the San Anselmo 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 C-1

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 Applies: Outside the Primary and Secondary Ridgezone, on any slope § 10-3.402 · code text Table row “On lot with building footprint having an average slope of less than 25%”, column “C-1”: 30'
Maximum number of stories	2 stories § 10-3.402 · code text Table row “On lot with building footprint having an average slope of less than 25%”, column “C-1”: 2
Minimum front setback	0 ft See note 2 below the table in the code. § 10-3.402 · code text Table row “Setback, Minimum Front (2)”, column “C-1”: 0' Note 2: Reference Table 4B of this Chapter for residential projects.
Minimum side setback	0 ft See note 2 below the table in the code. § 10-3.402 · code text Table row “Minimum Interior Side”, column “C-1”: 0' Note 2: Reference Table 4B of this Chapter for residential projects.
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR)	1.0 Applies: 1.25 for housing projects of 8 to 10 units, except on historic sites See note 3 below the table in the code. § 10-3.402 · code text Table row “Floor Area Ratio, Maximum”, column “C-1”: 1.0 /1.25 (3) Note 3: The Town shall not impose a lot coverage requirement that would physically preclude a housing development project with eight to ten units (4) from achieving a Floor Area Ratio of 1.25. However, the 1.25 FAR allowed for housing development projects between 8 to 10 units in this Table 4A shall not apply to a site within a historic district or property included on the State Historic Resources Invento
Maximum density	20 units per acre § 10-3.402 · code text Table row “Density, Maximum (Units/Acre)”, column “C-1”: 20

Uses in C-1

Uses the code's use tables allow in C-1, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.

Single-family home — Needs a conditional use permit
Apartment building — Allowed — see note
Residential care home (7 or more) — Needs a conditional use permit
Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit

Not on this page

We did not find a general rear setback, lot size, lot coverage limit for C-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the San Anselmo Municipal Code.

Other San Anselmo zoning districts

Who this affects

HomeownersArchitects and designersDevelopersReal estate agents

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum building height in San Anselmo's C-1 zone?

30 ft (outside the Primary and Secondary Ridgezone, on any slope) — San Anselmo Municipal Code § 10-3.402.

What is the maximum number of stories in San Anselmo's C-1 zone?

2 stories — San Anselmo Municipal Code § 10-3.402.

What is the minimum front setback in San Anselmo's C-1 zone?

0 ft — San Anselmo Municipal Code § 10-3.402.

What is the minimum side setback in San Anselmo's C-1 zone?

0 ft — San Anselmo Municipal Code § 10-3.402.

What is the maximum floor area ratio (far) in San Anselmo's C-1 zone?

1.0 (1.25 for housing projects of 8 to 10 units, except on historic sites) — San Anselmo Municipal Code § 10-3.402.

General information, not legal advice.