Building Setbacks & Zoning in Union City, CA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Union City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Union City sets a 20-foot minimum front yard in RS districts, 25 feet in the RS 10000 and RS 8000 districts, and 10 feet in RM districts under its residential zoning code.
Union City Residential Front Yard Setbacks
Some RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.32.090
A. In the RS districts the minimum front yard shall be 20 feet. 1. Except that in the RS 10000 and RS 8000 districts the minimum front yard shall be 25 feet. B. In the RM districts, the minimum front yard shall be 10 feet. (Ord. 55-64 § 6.8, 1964; Ord. 55.210-79 § 2, 1979; Ord. 457-95 § 2, 1995; Ord. 609-03 § 2, 2003; Ord. 670-06 § 3, 2006; Ord. 900-22 § 4, 2022; Ord. 917-23, 9/26/2023)
Structure Height Limits
Union City caps residential structures at 30 feet in RS districts, 45 feet in RM 2500 and RM 3500 districts, and 75 feet in the higher-density RM 1500 district.
Union City Residential Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.32.120
In the RS District, no principal structure shall exceed 30 feet in height. Spires, cupolas, chimneys, elevator penthouses, flagpoles and necessary mechanical appurtenances may be allowed to a maximum height limit of 40 feet. Amateur radio antennas and antenna structures may be allowed to exceed the basic height limitation, subject to required approvals, in accordance with Section 18.32.190. In...
Lot Coverage Limits
Union City limits building lot coverage to 50% of site area in all RS single-family zoning districts, rising to 70% in RM 3500/2500 and 80% in RM 1500 multifamily districts, under Alameda County, California zoning code.
Union City Residential Lot Coverage Caps
Some RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.32.080
The maximum site area covered by all structures located on the site shall be as prescribed in the following table: RS 10000, 50%. RS 8000, 50%. RS 7000, 50%. RS 6000, 50%. RS 4500, 50%. RM 3500, 70%. RM 2500, 70%. RM 1500, 80%.
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Union City city rules.
Building Setbacks & Zoning in Alameda County →