San Marino · Zoning · C-1
San Marino C-1 zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In San Marino's C-1 zone, generally buildings can be up to 30 ft tall and the front setback is None required, with the conditions listed below (San Marino code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 30 ft
- Minimum front setback: None required (25 ft for a building used exclusively for dwelling purposes)
- Minimum side setback: None required (Except on the side abutting an R-1 lot with no alley: 8 ft for single-story, 18 ft for multi-story buildings.)
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
- Maximum lot coverage: 60% (multi-family residential developments)
- Maximum density: 20 dwelling units per acre (multi-family residential developments)
C-1 (Commercial Zone) is a zoning district in San Marino. Every value below was read from the San Marino 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 § 23.03.02 · code textThe maximum building height in the C-1 zone shall be thirty feet (30'). |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | None required Applies: 25 ft for a building used exclusively for dwelling purposes § 23.03.05 · code textNo front yards shall be required in the C-1 zone; except, that no building used exclusively for dwelling purposes shall be less than twenty five feet (25') from the front property line of the building site. |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: Except on the side abutting an R-1 lot with no alley: 8 ft for single-story, 18 ft for multi-story buildings. § 23.03.06 · code textNo side yard shall be required in the C-1 zone, except as follows: |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 23.03.07 · code textRear yards in the C-1 zone shall not be less than twenty feet (20') as provided in the definition of a "rear yard" contained in section 23.01.01 of this chapter. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 60% Applies: multi-family residential developments § 23.03.10.05 · code textThe maximum lot coverage for multi-family residential developments shall be sixty percent (60%). |
| Maximum density | 20 dwelling units per acre Applies: multi-family residential developments § 23.03.10.03 · code textThe maximum density for multi-family residential developments in the C-1 zone shall be twenty (20) dwelling units per acre. |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C-1:
- Minimum front setback: 25 ft — Building used exclusively for dwelling purposes § 23.03.05
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories, lot size, FAR limit for C-1 in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the San Marino Municipal Code.
Other San Marino zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in San Marino's C-1 zone?
30 ft — San Marino Municipal Code § 23.03.02.
What is the minimum front setback in San Marino's C-1 zone?
None required (25 ft for a building used exclusively for dwelling purposes) — San Marino Municipal Code § 23.03.05.
What is the minimum side setback in San Marino's C-1 zone?
None required (except on the side abutting an R-1 lot with no alley: 8 ft for single-story, 18 ft for multi-story buildings) — San Marino Municipal Code § 23.03.06.
What is the minimum rear setback in San Marino's C-1 zone?
20 ft — San Marino Municipal Code § 23.03.07.
What is the maximum lot coverage in San Marino's C-1 zone?
60% (multi-family residential developments) — San Marino Municipal Code § 23.03.10.05.
General information, not legal advice.
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