San Leandro, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- RS/RD/RS-40 height
- 30 feet
- RS-VP height
- 18 feet
- RM-1800/RM-875 height
- 50 feet
- RO rear-20-ft cutback
- 15 feet max
- RS-VP stories
- 1 story max
- RS-VP exception ceiling
- 30 feet via Major Site Plan Review
Summary
Section 2.04.320 caps residential structures at 30 feet in the RD, RS and RS-40 districts, up to 50 feet in the densest RM-1800 and RM-875 multi-family districts, and just 18 feet in the RS-VP hillside sub-district, where a special measurement rule and a one-story cap apply on top of the height number.
§ 2.04.320. Maximum Height of Structures.
Zoning District Height (feet) RD 30 RM-3000 40 RO 30(B) RS 30 RS-40 30 RS-VP 18(C)
A. General Exceptions to Height Limits. The maximum height of a structure, other than in the RS-VP District, shall be subject to the regulations of Section 4.04.320 Exceptions to Height Limits.
B. Additional Height Restriction in RO District. Any portion of a dwelling located within 20 feet of the rear lot line shall not exceed 15 feet in height.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4967405; v8 updated 2026-07-06).
Full Breakdown
The height table runs from 30 feet (RD, RS, RS-40) up through RM-3000 at 40 feet and RM-2000/RM-1800/RM-875 at 50 feet, with the RO district capped at 30 feet subject to a rear-yard cutback: any part of an RO dwelling within 20 feet of the rear lot line cannot exceed 15 feet. RS-VP is the outlier: the 18-foot limit is measured from an assumed plane 18 feet above existing grade rather than the code's general height definition, no part of the roof may pierce that plane except chimneys, vents and non-commercial antennas, and only one story is allowed (a below-grade basement addition is exempt).
Applicants must submit two sectional drawings, one through the tallest point and one through the building's center, to prove compliance. Exceptions above 18 feet, up to a ceiling of 30 feet, require Major Site Plan Review and a mandatory finding that the extra height does not unreasonably block neighbors' views of the Bay or surrounding open space and skylines. 320.
Violations & Fines
Building or altering a structure above the district height limit, or above the RS-VP 18-foot plane without an approved Major Site Plan Review exception, is enforced as a Zoning Code violation under Section 5.24.112: a land-use infraction becomes a misdemeanor (up to $1,000 fine, up to one year in County Jail) except where the Zoning Enforcement Official elects to charge it as an infraction, and every day the excess height remains built is a separate offense. The City may also pursue abatement under Section 5.24.116, including a Notice to Abate and administrative hearing before ordering correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I build a house in San Leandro's RS district?
Why is the height limit only 18 feet in some San Leandro neighborhoods?
Can I get an exception to the RS-VP 18-foot height limit?
Are there extra height restrictions in the RO district?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Leandro
California rules heatmap·Compare San Leandro to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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Structure Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle structure height limits.