Berkeley caps residential heights at 28 feet in R-1 zones with average height 25 feet, while downtown zones permit high-rise buildings up to 180 feet under the Downtown Area Plan.
Berkeley Municipal Code Title 23 limits structure height by zone. R-1 and R-1A single-family zones cap main buildings at 28 feet maximum with 25 feet average height, plus height plane requirements restricting upper-story mass near property lines to preserve neighbor solar access and privacy. R-2 multifamily zones allow 35 feet. Downtown Mixed Use zones under the 2012 Downtown Area Plan permit buildings up to 180 feet (Buildings D and E districts) with additional height for specified public benefits. Hillside Overlay areas have special height restrictions based on lot slope. Accessory structures and ADUs follow state law limits typically 16 to 25 feet. Rooftop equipment, chimneys, and solar panels may exceed base height limits subject to screening rules. The Solar Access Ordinance imposes additional shading restrictions.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Berkeley, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle structure height limits.
See how Berkeley's structure height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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