San Jose, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R-1 (all variants) max height
- 35 feet
- R-2 two-family max height
- 35 feet
- R-M multifamily max height
- 45 ft or per Ch. 20.85
- R-MH mobile home max height
- 45 feet
- R-1/R-2 max stories
- 2.5 stories
Summary
San Jose caps residential building height at 35 feet across all five R-1 single-family districts and the R-2 two-family district. The R-M multifamily district tops out at 45 feet or a limit set under Chapter 20.85, and R-MH mobile home parks are capped at 45 feet.
Regulations Zoning District R-1-8 R-1-5 R-1-2 R-1-1 R-1-RR R-2 R-M R-MH Maximum height (feet) (Notes 1, 2 and 4) 35 35 35 35 35 35 45 or established in Chapter 20.85 45
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
Table 20-60 in San Jose Municipal Code § 20.30.200 sets maximum building height by residential zoning district: 35 feet in the R-1-8, R-1-5, R-1-2, R-1-1 and R-1-RR single-family districts and the R-2 two-family district, both also capped at 2.5 stories. The R-M multifamily district allows 45 feet, or an alternative maximum height established under Chapter 20.85 where the city has adopted one, and the R-MH mobile home district allows 45 feet at up to 3 stories. Separately, chimneys, weather vanes, and similar architectural embellishments on R-1 and R-2 buildings may rise to 40 feet under § 20.30.300, provided they don't clear the roofline by more than 5 feet.
Violations & Fines
Construction exceeding the Table 20-60 limit without an approved variance or an adopted Chapter 20.85 alternative height triggers plan-check rejection, stop-work orders, and permit denial from San Jose's Building Division until the design is brought into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can San Jose set a different height limit for my specific street?
Do chimneys count toward the 35-foot R-1 height limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Jose
California rules heatmap·Compare San Jose to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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Structure Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle structure height limits.