South El Monte · Zoning · C-R
South El Monte C-R zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In South El Monte's C-R zone, generally buildings can be up to 65 ft (5 stories) tall, the front setback is None required and the minimum lot size is 15,000 sq ft, with the conditions listed below (South El Monte code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 65 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 5 stories
- Minimum front setback: None required (Residential development only: 10 ft is required)
- Minimum side setback: None required (Residential development only: 10 ft is required)
- Minimum lot size: 15,000 sq ft
- Maximum density: 100 dwelling units per acre (when not abutting any residential zone)
C-R (Commercial-Residential District) is a zoning district in South El Monte. Every value below was read from the South El Monte 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-R
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 | 65 ft § 17.07.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Height Limits”, column “C-R”: Maximum building height is 5 stories or 65 ft for commercial, commercial/residential and residential developments |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 5 stories § 17.07.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Height Limits”, column “C-R”: Maximum building height is 5 stories or 65 ft for commercial, commercial/residential and residential developments |
| Minimum front setback | None required Applies: Residential development only: 10 ft is required § 17.07.030 · code textTable row “Front and Side Yard Setbacks”, column “C-R”: None For residential development only, 10 ft shall be required |
| Minimum side setback | None required Applies: Residential development only: 10 ft is required § 17.07.030 · code textTable row “Front and Side Yard Setbacks”, column “C-R”: None For residential development only, 10 ft shall be required |
| Minimum lot size | 15,000 sq ft § 17.07.030 · code textTable row “Area”, column “C-R”: 15,000 sq ft |
| Maximum density | 100 dwelling units per acre Applies: when not abutting any residential zone § 17.07.030 · code textTable row “Maximum Residential Density”, column “C-R”: 35 dwelling units per acre when abutting a single-family zone; 87 dwelling units per acre when abutting a multifamily zone; 100 dwelling units per acre when not abutting any residential zone |
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in C-R:
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — for residential development only § 17.07.030
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft — street-adjacent parking § 17.07.030
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — all residential units developed at ground level along Garvey or Santa Anita Avenue; measured from the front street property line § 17.07.030
- Minimum front setback: 5 ft — above the second story from the Garvey or Santa Anita Avenue property lines § 17.07.030
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft — for residential development only § 17.07.030
- Minimum side setback: 5 ft — interior setback abutting a residential zone for 1 story; setbacks measured from the residential property line § 17.07.030
- Minimum side setback: 15 ft — interior setback abutting a residential zone for 2 stories; setbacks measured from the residential property line § 17.07.030
- Minimum side setback: 25 ft — interior setback abutting a residential zone for 3 to 5 stories; setbacks measured from the residential property line § 17.07.030
- Maximum density: 35 dwelling units per acre — when abutting a single-family zone § 17.07.030
- Maximum density: 87 dwelling units per acre — when abutting a multifamily zone § 17.07.030
Not on this page
We did not find a general rear setback, lot coverage, FAR limit for C-R in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the South El Monte Municipal Code.
Other South El Monte zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in South El Monte's C-R zone?
65 ft — South El Monte Municipal Code § 17.07.030.
What is the maximum number of stories in South El Monte's C-R zone?
5 stories — South El Monte Municipal Code § 17.07.030.
What is the minimum front setback in South El Monte's C-R zone?
None required (residential development only: 10 ft is required) — South El Monte Municipal Code § 17.07.030.
What is the minimum side setback in South El Monte's C-R zone?
None required (residential development only: 10 ft is required) — South El Monte Municipal Code § 17.07.030.
What is the minimum lot size in South El Monte's C-R zone?
15,000 sq ft — South El Monte Municipal Code § 17.07.030.
General information, not legal advice.
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