Cupertino, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard setback
- 20 feet, first floor
- Rear yard setback
- 20 feet, reducible to 10 feet with a permit
- Side yard, R1-5
- 5 feet on each side
- Side yard, R1-6 and larger
- 15 feet combined, min 5 feet
- Second floor front setback
- 25 feet
- Governing table
- Municipal Code Table 19.28.070(E)-(F)
Summary
Cupertino's R-1 single-family zones require a minimum 20-foot front yard setback, a 20-foot rear yard setback reducible to 10 feet with a Minor Residential Permit, and side yards that vary by subzone under Municipal Code Table 19.28.070. Second-floor additions must sit further back than the first floor on all four sides.
Table 19.28.070 Building Development Regulations R1-5 R1-6, 7.5, 8, 10, 20, etc., and R1-6e ... ... E. Minimum first floor setbacks 1. Front yard a. Minimum setback 20 feet ... ... 2. Side yard For lots that have more than two side yards, the setback shall be consistent for all side yards between the front property line and rear property line a. Interior lot 5 feet on both sides 15 feet combined (no side yard setback shall be less than 5 feet) ... ... 3. Rear yard a. 20 feet i. May be reduced to 10 feet, with a Minor Residential Permit, subject to Chapter 19.12, if, after the reduction, the usable rear yard area is not less than 20 times the lot width as measured from the front setback line.
Full Breakdown
12, if the usable rear yard area after the reduction is not less than 20 times the lot width as measured from the front setback line. 5, 8, 10, 20 and R1-6e subzones, the two side yards combined must total 15 feet, with neither side less than 5 feet. Corner lots get a 5-foot interior side setback and a 12-foot street side setback. Subsection (F) raises those minimums for second-floor construction: a 25-foot front yard, side yards combined at 25 feet with neither side less than 10 feet on an interior lot, and a 25-foot rear yard, reflecting the code's design goal of stepping back upper floors from neighboring properties. 12 to protect privacy.
Violations & Fines
Building within the required front, side or rear yard setback without an approved Minor Residential Permit or variance is a zoning violation the Building Division and a Code Enforcement Officer under Chapter 2.30 can act on before or after construction. Section 1.12.010 makes an uncorrected setback violation an infraction, punishable by up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second and $500 for later offenses within a year, or a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, and the City can require an encroaching structure to be altered or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back must my house be from the front property line?
Can I reduce my rear yard setback below 20 feet?
Are side yard setbacks the same in every Cupertino R-1 neighborhood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cupertino
California rules heatmap·Compare Cupertino to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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Setback Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle setback rules.