Alameda, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)

The City of Alameda regulates maximum building height by zoning district under AMC Section 30-4. In the R-1 (30-4.1) and R-2 (30-4.2) residential districts, building height may not exceed 30 feet. The R-3 (30-4.3) and R-4 (30-4.4) districts allow up to 35 feet, the R-5 district (30-4.5) up to 40 feet, and the higher-density R-6 district (30-4.6) up to 50 feet. These are the base limits in each district's "Minimum Height, Bulk and Space Requirements." AMC Section 30-5.8 (Height Exceptions) allows towers, spires, chimneys, machinery, penthouses, scenery lofts, cupolas, radio aerials, television antennas, and similar architectural and utility structures with necessary mechanical appurtenances to be built up to 25 feet above the district height limit, provided that no structure exceeding the allowable building height is used for sleeping, eating, or commercial/advertising purposes. Additional height for public utility structures may be approved by the Planning Board, and the limits do not apply to electric transmission lines and towers unless they encroach on a designated aircraft approach zone. The Special Height (H) combining district (AMC 30-4.16) can modify the otherwise applicable limit on specific parcels. In Alameda's historic districts, height and massing of new or expanded buildings are further evaluated through Planning Design Review (AMC 30-37). Always confirm the governing district and any combining district before designing.