San Anselmo, California Zoning Map
Zoning, overlays and hazards on every parcel — and an answer to what the code actually lets you build. Compiled from current zoning data for all 12 districts.
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What's in the San Anselmo dataset
Every field below is available for any San Anselmo parcel, on the map and through the AI.
Zoning
- District code & full name
- Parcel boundary & APN
- All 12 districts mapped
Building controls
- Maximum building height
- Floor area ratio (FAR)
- Front setback
- Side setback
Overlays, hazards & AI
- Flood hazard & environmental layers
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- Powered by live parcel data
Where uses are permitted in San Anselmo
Share of San Anselmo's zoned land where each use is permitted.
- Single-family
- 87.37%
- Multi-family
- 87.37%
- ADU
- 87.37%
- Retail
- 3.63%
- Eating & drinking
- 3.63%
- Office
- 3.63%
- Hotel / motel
- 9.36%
- Storage & warehouses
- 2.97%
San Anselmo, California Zoning Districts: What Do They Mean?
Zoning districts are areas regulated by specific laws that determine land use, building types, and development rules. Each district below shows its zone type and which uses it permits.
| Zone Code | Category | Area | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
C-1 Neighborhood Commercial | - | 2.3 ac | Standards & uses → |
C-2 Downtown Commercial | - | 7.5 ac | Standards & uses → |
C-3 Commercial | - | 38.3 ac | Standards & uses → |
C-L Limited Commercial | - | 5.2 ac | Standards & uses → |
Showing 4 of 12 districts
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What should developers know about San Anselmo zoning?
San Anselmo is a small Marin County town whose 12 zoning districts reveal a character defined almost entirely by low-density single-family neighborhoods and a compact commercial core. Single Family Residential (R-1) dominates at 873 acres, flanked by the Very Low Density (R-1-H) hillside category at 184 acres and the Single Family Residential Conservation (R-1-C) overlay at 56 acres - together these three tiers cover roughly 1,113 acres, or the overwhelming majority of the town's residential land. The largest non-residential district is Open Space (OS) at 156 acres, underscoring the town's commitment to preserving hillside and riparian land.
For developers and investors, the scarcity of higher-density and commercial land defines the opportunity set. Medium Density (R-2) totals just 21 acres and High Density (R-3) reaches 91 acres, leaving limited but targeted multifamily opportunity near transit and the downtown. The commercial fabric is equally constrained: Downtown Commercial (C-2) spans 7 acres, General Commercial (C-3) reaches 38 acres, and Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) covers only 2 acres - making infill and adaptive-reuse projects the realistic path rather than greenfield commercial development. Professional (P) and Limited Commercial (C-L) round out the commercial supply at roughly 7 combined acres.
This is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice - verify with the local planning department before acquisition.
San Anselmo zoning: frequently asked questions
What development is realistically possible in San Anselmo given its zoning structure?
The town's land base is dominated by single-family residential zones (R-1, R-1-H, R-1-C) that collectively cover over 1,100 acres, leaving very limited land for multifamily or commercial projects. Realistic opportunities include infill on the 91-acre R-3 high-density tier, mixed-use development in the downtown C-2 district, and ADU additions to single-family lots under California state law.
How do hillside and conservation overlays affect building potential in San Anselmo?
The R-1-H (Very Low Density) district on 184 acres and the R-1-C (Residential Conservation) overlay on 56 acres both carry additional development constraints beyond standard R-1 rules, typically tied to slope, ridgeline protection, or environmental resources. Projects on these parcels should anticipate stricter lot coverage, setback, and grading controls, and may require environmental review under CEQA.
Are ADUs broadly available across San Anselmo's single-family zones?
California state ADU law applies throughout San Anselmo, meaning R-1, R-1-H, and R-1-C parcels are all eligible for at least one ADU and one Junior ADU by right. Local design standards still apply, but the town cannot impose owner-occupancy requirements or lot-coverage restrictions that are inconsistent with state minimums. ADUs have become one of the few meaningful density tools in this otherwise low-density environment.
What are the commercial opportunities in San Anselmo's downtown and neighborhood centers?
The town's C-2 (Downtown Commercial) district covers only 7 acres and C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) adds 2 acres - combined they represent a very small footprint for retail and restaurant uses. General Commercial (C-3) at 38 acres is the largest commercial zone and includes a wider range of uses. Given the limited supply, existing commercial properties in these zones tend to hold value well, and mixed-use projects combining ground-floor retail with upper-floor residential may find a receptive planning environment.
How does San Anselmo's R-3 high-density zone fit into a multifamily strategy?
At 91 acres, R-3 is the only zone in San Anselmo explicitly designed for apartment-scale multifamily housing. Its location near the downtown and Marin's transit corridors makes it the primary target for developers seeking to add units. Height, FAR, density, and setback controls apply, and California density bonus law can unlock additional units beyond base allowances if affordable units are included in the project.
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Zoning data is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice. Verify with the San Anselmo planning department before acquisition or design.