Zoning - Los Altos vs Cupertino

This page is an attempt to compare zoning rules for Los Altos and Cupertino. Since these rules are very complex, this page is only a rough comparison. For the actual regulations, visit the web sites for the two cities and look at those that concern you.

Cupertino's zoning looks to be fairly straightforward, having only one basic classification for residential single family parcels. Los Altos has three distinct classification based on lot size. For lots over 40,000 square feet, the classification is R1-40. For lots of 20,000 to 40,000 square feet, the classification is R1-20. For lots of 10,000 ot 20,000 square feet, it is R1-10. Lots of 4,000 to 9,000 square feet are residential-3 and treated as a subset of R1-10.

Cupertino
Code section 19.28.060
Lot Coverage: 45% Max
Floor Area Ratio: 45% for Single Story, 35% for 2 Story
Setbacks
-Front: 20 ft
-Side:5ft/10ft If the lot is less than 60ft wide and less than 6000 sq ft: 5ft/5ft
-Rear:20ft

See www.amlegal.com/cupertino_ca/ and look under ZONING to find the actual codes.

Los Altos (only R-10 and R-20 included here)
Annexation Policy: Code Section 14.02.060
R1-10 and Residential-3: Code section 14.06
Lot Coverage: 35% Single Story, 30% for 2 Story
Setbacks
-Front: 25'
-Side: 10'
-Rear: 25'
R1-20: Code section 14.10
Lot Coverage: 25% Max
Setbacks
-Front: 30'
-Side: 20'
-Rear: 35'

See www.ordlink.com/codes/losaltos/index.htm and look under ZONING to find the actual codes.

Note that in most of these code sections, there are a number of exceptions to the general information listed here. Please read the code if you want real details.